Anyone can build a robot at home with the right steps. This guide will cover the basics of building homemade bots, from design to construction to programming. Most beginner robots will be fairly simple, but creating one is half the fun. It’s a great way for everyone, new and experienced alike, to learn more about engineering and electronics.
Deciding What Kind of Robot to Build..!
Most makers plan to complete a robotics project sooner or later. However, before buying parts, they need to decide their robot’s purpose. There are different things a homemade bot can do, but people need to have a clear goal to aim for.
Creating the Robot Design
The design is one of the most important parts of the robot building process. It will act as a guide and set the stage for the programming phase. It doesn’t need to be a fancy 3D CAD model — it can be as simple as a paper sketch. The important part is that it shows, in detail, what the robot will look like, how it will function and all the parts that will go into it. Makers only need CAD designs for robots they plan to build out of 3D printed parts, which might be better for more advanced at-home robotics projects.
Choosing Robotics Supplies
There are generally two ways to get the supplies for a homemade robot: a robotics kit or 100% DIY. Many robotics kits available today come with loads of different parts for creating custom machines. These can be a convenient way for beginners to get started. People who are more experienced can try building with hand-picked components. A complete DIY robot is a great project for anyone hoping to be a robotics technician or engineer.
Robotics Kits
Robotics has become a popular hobby today, so there are many different kits out there that anyone can use to build a robot at home. Some of these kits only include parts to construct a specific bot or two, while others have hundreds of components to use for any kind of DIY robotics project. One of these kits can simplify the robotics building process for beginners since an expert will have already selected high-quality parts.
Before buying a DIY robotics kit, check the robot’s design. Makers must carefully compare the machines they want to build with the parts included in the box. It can be helpful to find reviews and see what robots others have created with different kits.
Complete DIY
It’s a good idea to research the basics of electronics and understand the different parts and how they work. It’s important for makers to know the different purposes for each type of wire prior to assembly so they purchase the right ones. They will need a clear understanding of electronics, including how resistors work, how motors work, and how electronic components connect to breadboards and microcontrollers.
Most homemade robots are controlled by a battery-powered microcontroller, which is a small circuit board like the popular Arduino Uno. These boards are easy to work with, even for beginners. Makers can find them for a fairly low price on Amazon or in most electronics stores. The Raspberry Pi is also popular for some applications.