A robot is considered a machine that can run autonomously.If you broaden the definition of "robot" slightly, remote controlled objects can be considered to be a robot.It's simple to build a remote controlled robot if you know how.Middle and high school students have never built a robot before.This article will show you how to build a robot.
Step 1: Know what you will be building.
You won't be able to build a humanoid robot that can do all your chores.You won't be building a robot that can reach out and pick up 100 pound weights.You will need to build a robot that can go forward, backward, left, and right from you.After you have built a simple robot, you can add and modify things.A front end loader with a boom and bucket.You should always follow the principle that no robot is finished.It can always be improved.
Step 2: Make a plan for your robot.
Before you order parts for your robot.You have to design your robot.If you want to have a simple design for your first robot, you should use a piece of plastic.Extra room is usually left after it's built because of the simple design.You should build something about 15 cm.by 20 cm.You should be able to draw it out on paper with a ruler.Since the robot is so small, draw it on paper.When you get into bigger, more complex robots, you should learn how to use a program similar to the one you're currently using.
Step 3: Pick your parts.
It's too late to order parts.You should know where to buy them now.You can sometimes save money on shipping if you try to order from as few sites as possible.You will need a material for a receiver, two "servo" motors, a battery, and a transmitter.You will need to use a motor to move the robot.One motor will power both wheels.You can use the simplest steering method, differential drive.To turn one motor goes and the other stays still, you have to go forward and backwards.A basic DC motor is geared, can only turn 180 degrees, and can't transmit data back to it's position.You don't have to buy an expensive "speed controller" or a separate gear box for this project because it will be using servo motors.After you understand how to build a remote controlled robot, you may want to modify the first one to use DC motors.There are four things you need to worry about when buying a motor.These are speed, Torque, size, and weight.Your robot wouldn't be able to go forward a lot since it's only 180 degrees.You can modify the motor to spin continuously.Make sure the motor is in good working order.In this project, you will probably have plenty of room left over, so weight isn't important.Try to get something small.The strength of the motor is called Torque.The gears are used for this.The robot may not be able to move forward because it doesn't have the strength.The lower the speed, the higher the Torque.Try to get a good balance of speed and power for this robot.After you finish building, you can always purchase and attach a more powerful or faster servo.For the first RC robot, it's recommended to get the Hitec HS-311.This is a good size for this robot and has a great balance of speed and Torque.The HiTec HS-311 can be purchased here.Since the servo can only spin 180 degrees, you have to modify it to have continuous rotation.It has to be done to modify a servo.You need a battery to power your robot.Don't try to use AC.The power can be plugged into the wall.DC is what you should use.The power comes from batteries.Choose a type of battery.There are three main types of batteries that we will choose from.These are the types of materials that are used.The newest batteries that you can get are called plicho batteries.They are dangerous, expensive and need a special charge.If you're willing to spend more money on your robot, then use this type of battery.NiCad batteries are popular.They are used in a lot of machines.The batteries won't last as long on a full charge if they're not fully dead.NiMH batteries are similar to NiCad batteries in size, weight, and price, but have better overall performance and are usually recommended for a beginner's project.The batteries that aren't rechargeable are called alkaline batteries.These batteries are easy to get and common.You have to buy them again and again.Don't use them.You can choose battery specifications.The battery pack's voltage needs to be picked.The most common types of robots are 4.8V and 6.0V.Most of the servos will work on either of those.It is recommended that you go with the 6.0V because it will allow you to have your motor go faster and have more power.You have to deal with the capacity of your robot's battery pack.These are labeled with a number.The higher you go, the heavier you are.It's recommended for the size of robot you are building.If you have to choose, go with the 2000 mAh battery because it has the same voltage and weight.It will be more expensive, but it is a better battery.The battery pack needs to be charged.Pick a material for your robot.The electronics need to be attached to a robot.Most of the robots this size are made of plastic or aluminum.It's a good idea for beginners to use a type of plastic called HDPE.The plastic is cheap and easy to work with.It's a good idea to get about a quarter of a millimeter thick.If you mess up on cutting, you should get a big sheet in case.It is recommended to double the size of your robot.You should get more.A piece of HDPE can be purchased online or at a hardware store.You can choose a receiver or transmitter.This is the most expensive part of the robot.The robot can't do anything without it.It's highly recommended to buy a good transmitter/receiver to start off with, because it will be the limit to how much you can put on.You won't be able to add anything to the robot if you buy a cheap transmitter.The transmitter can be used for more than one robot in the future.Don't buy a cheap one and a more expensive one later, just buy the better one now.It will save you money in the long run.You can use a few frequencies.The most common frequencies are 27MHz, 72Mhz, 75Mhz and 2.4 GHz.It is possible to use 27MHz for aircraft or cars.It is often used in cheap toys.It's not recommended for anything except small projects.72MHz is only used for aircraft.It is against the law to use 72MHz in surface vehicles.If you use 72MHz, you are breaking the law, and you could interfere with a large, expensive model airplane flying nearby.This could cause it to crash and cost a lot of money to repair or even kill someone.You could use this one if you wanted to.2.4 GHz is the best.It has less interference than the other frequencies.It is highly recommended to spend the extra few dollars and get a 2.4 GHz transmitter and receiver.You have to decide how many channels you want to get on the transmitter/receiver after you have decided on what frequencies you are going to use.How many things you can control on your robot are called channels.You need at least two for this robot.One channel will let your robot go forward and the other will allow it to go left or right.It's recommended to get at least 3.You might want to add another thing to the robot after you built it.You usually have two joysticks if you get four.You may be able to add a claw with a four channel transmitter/receiver.You don't have to buy a better receiver later if you get the best one now.If you want to build other robots, you can use your transmitter and receiver.The Spectrum DX5e 5-Channel 2.4 GHz Radio System Mode 2 can be purchased with the AR500.Choose wheels.The three most important things when choosing wheels are diameter, traction, and if they will attach to your motor easily.The center point is the length of the wheel from one side to the other.The greater the diameter of the wheel, the faster it goes and the more it can climb, but the less Torque it will have.The smaller the wheel, the more power it has.The wheels stick to the surface.Make sure that the wheels have a rubber or foam ring around them so that they don't slide around.You don't have to worry about that because most wheels that are made to attach to servos will be able to screw right on to them.It's a good idea to get a wheel between 3 and 5 inches in diameter with a rubber ring.You need 2 wheels.There are precision disk wheels here.
Step 4: You can now order your parts online.
You may be able to save money on shipping if you order everything at the same time, so try to get them from as few sites as possible.
Step 5: Measure and cut.
Measure out the length and width of your chassis with a ruler and a sharpie.Consider about 15 cm by 20 cm.Measure it again and make sure your lines aren't crooked and how long you want them to be.Measure twice and cut once.You can cut.You should be able to cut it the same way you would cut a piece of wood.
Step 6: The robot needs to be assembled.
You just need to assemble it all together now that you have all your materials.If you designed the robot well, this can be the easiest step.There is a piece of plastic near the front.The shaft/horn should be sideways to face the sides.Make sure you have enough room for the wheels.Attach the wheels to the servo with screws.The receiver and the battery pack will be stuck with a piece of velcro.Attach the receiver and battery pack to the robot with two pieces of the same material.The robot should have two wheels in the front and back.The back of the robot will slide along the floor instead of being a third wheel.
Step 7: The wires need to be plugged in.
Plug everything into the receiver after you have the robot assembled.The battery says "battery" on the receiver.Plug it in the right way.The first two channels on the receiver have the words "channel 1 and channel 2" written on them.
Step 8: It needs to be charged up.
Plug the battery into the charger if you don't want to use the receiver.Wait for the battery to charge.It could take 24 hours, so be patient.
Step 9: It's time to play with it.
Go ahead and press on the transmitter.Make your dog and cat chase it by building an obstacle course.You are done with it.It would be great if you could add some stuff to it.