build a robot

Alright, so I used a kit designed for ages 8 and up – but who cares! It was fun, and we’re never too old to stop learning. I was surprised that I could fit the motor together so easily!

Check out this video (not made by me) to see the finished product: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Fzs2LCuKc

This idea popped into my head, out of the blue, while I was at work. Can’t let it go now. I’ve been studdying blogs and how-to books on the subject, and it seems like a lot of fun. Right now I’m merely gathering info. But soon… :)

I work in a science environment, and many of my co-workers have hilarious/awesome/nerdtastical hobbies – this past weekend, I went to check out the Saskatoon Combat Robotics Club. The club presented ‘Kilobots XIV’, where 1-6 pound robots battled to the “death”. I wish I had some awesome photos to share, but the robots battle behind a plexiglass cage for safety purposes! Still, really neat to see – check out their website at http://www.kilobots.com/...

Sorry, I just gotta do it. if it takes over the world and enslaves the entire human race I’m really, really sorry.

i really want to make a robot.

I don’t even want it to be a functional robot or anything. I just want to make something cool that LOOKS like a robot.

I completed this goal using an easy beginner kit, but I’d really like to be able to do more. Maybe later.

So far I took an RC vehicle and completely replaced the components inside in a modular fashion so I could get a main controller board to control it all. I have a 6-channel aircraft remote that controls it currently and an arduino diecimila that I’m using for a main board. I’m also building a custom interface board to read the channels from the receiver and communicate the values to the arduino via I2C. For the most part I have everything necessary, I just need to get it all fashioned together.

I’ve actually built robots before (including a robotic arm that I designed and built in high school), but this will be my most advanced robot yet.

My first model’s purpose it to scoop things up. It has a mouth made of cardboard.

I built it from a kit, but I used a battery, copper tape, and some wires.. A good start, I think.

:)

I’m planning on starting with the VEX starter kit once I get the money. :/