How to Build a Robot - Part 2

Introduction

In the previous tutorial we spoke more at a high level. This was done intentionally to get your feet wet. Our goal is to make sure we target several different audiences.

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Breakdown

The next few tutorials are designed to show you how to build a robot step by step. We will chose several platforms geared at each skill level in regards to robotics and programming.

The following list outlines the next few tutorials to come. If you feel the need to jump ahead to the specific tutorial by all means do so.

• Entry Level Robot Kit Requiring little Programming Knowledge
• Entry Level Robot Kit Requiring Programming Knowledge
• Mid Level Robot Kit Requiring Basic Programming
• Mid Level Robot Kit Requiring Advanced Programming
• Advanced Robot Kit Requiring Basic Programming
• Advanced Robot Kit Requiring Advanced Programming
• Custom Robot Kit

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Building an Entry Level Robot Kit Requiring Little Programming

There are many routes one can take for this type of project. There are basic solar kits, water kits, and just your over all run of the mill kit you might see in a standard Edmund Scientific catalog.

Lets start out by asking ourselves the basic questions. Why? What? Where? How?

Why?

Why do you want to build a robot?
This is a question for you. However, our answer is - we are writing up an entry level robot kit tutorial that requires minimal programming knowledge.

What?

What do you plan to accomplish by building a robot?
We plan on demonstrating what it is like to build an entry level robot that requires minimal programming knowledge.

The robot will serve as an introduction to robotics. It will be used to illustrate how to build a robot, communicate with a robot, develop programs for the robot, and finally carry out a given set of tasks.

What is your skill level?
The assumption being made here is that you have not worked with robotics before. Furthermore, we are assuming that you have minimal programming knowledge. Lastly, we are assuming you feel confident enought to piece together components. You may not have all the knowledge in regards to electronics and what not. But you should be able to get bye with this tutorial without delving too deep into the eltronics topics.

What type of robot?
For the purposes of this robot we are building a sumo robot. This robot kit is made by Parallax. A sumo bot robot kit is used in competitions. The idea is that two robots enter a circular ring. They battle each other until one falls outside the ring. Similar to sumo wrestling. These are often popular events at robotic competitions. You can take what you make here and with some minor tweaks and changes - compete in competitions.

Click here for more information on the robot kit.

This image is of the Sumo Bot

Where?

Where do you plan on building the robot?
We will be building this out of our office. We do not need any special equipment outside of your basic run of the mill tool kit. Refer to our robotics related tools section that illustrates the common tools you will need to work with robotics.

Where will the robot be used?
The robot will be used primarily indoors. For some of the examples we will set up a ring to test its abilities within the ring just like the typical sumo robot.

How?

How will you build the robot?
There is nothing much to say about how this robot will be built. Its should be clear at this point that we will be using a pre-made robot kit to make the robot.

How much do you plan to spend?
We are assuming you have all the tools required to work with this particular robot. This particular kit used in the tutorial will run approximately 159.99 USD plus tax and shipping. Click here for more information on the robot kit.

Assembly and Construction

To make this part as easy and straight forward as possible we have recorded a multi-part step by step video of how to assembly and work with the Parallax SumoBot Robot kit.

Lets get started!

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Where to buy?

DIYbin.com