Robotics - Down to the Basics

Lesson Two

Down to the Basics

First of all, you need to design the robot you have in mind. Figuring out what type of design you will be going with will help in the process of building your robot. Here are some of the questions you may have:

Materials

Will it be plastic?
Will it be wood?
Will it be metal?

Drive-train

Will it run on wheels? (if so, try looking here)
Will it walk? (if so, try looking here)
Will it move on a track system? (if so, try looking here)
Will it fly?
Will it even move at all? (if not, try looking here)

Control

Will it run by remote control(tethered)?
Will it run by radio control(wireless)?
Will it be self programmed?

Size

Will it be big?
Will it be small?

Power

Will it run on batteries?
Will it be plugged in?
Will it run on solar power? (if so, try looking here)

Sensors

Will it see?
Will it hear and record?
Will it sense odors?
Will it talk to you about what it sensed? (if so, try looking here)

On top of the design, you need to figure out if it will be a simple robot, an advanced robot, the schematics involved in wiring the robot, what it WILL do and what it WON'T do, and who it will be for.

Question: So, by the end of this tutorial, I'll be able to do all of that. Ok, so what do I need to build a robot?

Answer: What you need is a box full of tools and an area to work in. In the next lesson, we'll give you a list of some of the tools you'll need and idea of how you should set up shop.

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If you have a questions about any of the lessons, feel free to ask.