How to Build Your First Robot

[Tony]

A beginner in the field of robotics may naturally be intimidated by the idea of building his first robot. Robots are generally accepted to be highly complex devices that require a large number of parts that all must work together in complex harmony. However, building your first robot need not be such an intense task. With a few parts that can be salvaged from existing devices such as RC cars -- a battery, receiver, controller, and servos -- and a handful of additional tools, your first robotic endeavour can be one that happily launches you into the field.

Things You'll Need:

1. Wheel base
2. Velcro (2)
3. Professional glue
4. Four or more way receiver/controller
5. Battery
6. Servos (2)
7. Dual lock tape

1. Gather your parts. You will need two servos, a receiver and compatible controller, a battery and a wheel base upon which to mount your parts. A good place to start is to look for old toys and specifically radio-controlled (RC) cars. These provide the best base from which to work. Upon finding an RC car, strip off the unnecessary framework of the car and salvage any usable parts, such as the battery.
2. Isolate the wheel base. Take a piece of Velcro and use professional grade glue to affix it to the top centre of the wheel base. Take a second Velcro piece and affix it to the bottom of the wheel base in the same exact manner.
3. Take a salvaged nickel cadmium or lead acid battery (nickel cadmium is preferred as it is more efficient) and attach it to the piece of Velcro on the bottom of the wheel base. Then, mount the receiver to the top Velcro piece. If you purchase the receiver and controller as opposed to salvaging it from an RC car, ensure that the receiver/controller combo are at least capable of four degrees of movement (up-down, left-right).
4. Attach the two servos to your wheel base. To do so, use dual lock tape to affix them to the wheel base. One servo should be placed on the perimeter of the base and near the wheel; the other servo should be placed directly across on the opposite side.
5. Wire all the components to the receiver. To do so, notice the small channels that are located at the end of the receiver. This is where the wiring will take place. Take the three-wire lead from the battery and attach the ends of the lead into the channel at the end of the receiver marked "Batt." Then, attach the two servos to the channels in the same manner. Make sure each servo is attached to separate, but adjacent, channels.
6. Test your first robot and make sure it reacts to the controller. Decorate it as you see fit.