Build a Simple Robot

There are lots of complex, time-consuming ways to build a robot, but there are also many simple ways. For instance, you can build a beginner's robot that shakes across the surface using a hobby motor, 9V battery, metal coin, and small plastic containers. While this robot won't do any fancy tricks, it's a good starting point for learning about the field of robotics.

Steps

1. Get your supplies, listed below.
2. Cut a hole in the tupperware box for the motor using a utility knife.
   
   
3. Acquire a motor like the one shown above from any hobby store. The motor should have exposed metal which wired can be soldered on to. Ask your hobby store to give you a motor that can be soldered and modified.
4. Solder one wire to the right side of the motor. Be sure that the metal tip of the wire touches the metal on the motor.
5. Attach the other end of the wire to the left side of the battery. Again, be sure that the metal tip from the wire touches the metal of the motor.
6. Glue your quarter, dime, or penny to the shaft of the motor with hot glue.
7. Solder the positive(red) motor wire to any non-momentary switch. The switch in the picture above is a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switch. A non-momentary switch is any switch that doesn't require a constant hold on the switch for electricity to pass through. This means that you can press the switch once and electricity will pass through until you press it again to turn it off.
   • Again, be sure that the metal tip of the wire is attached to one of the metal prongs on the switch.
8. Glue the motor into the hole you cut for it, and glue anything else on that you want to.
9. Using another set of wires, wire up a battery to your robot. Solder the positive (red) tip of the wire to the positive lead of the battery and the negative (black) tip of the wire to the negative lead of the battery.
10. Solder the positive (red) tip of the wire connected to the battery to the center pin of the switch. Be sure the metal tip is touching the center metal prong of the switch before you solder.
    • This will let the electricity flow from the battery through the switch and then to the motor.
11. Solder the negative(black) tip of the wire from the battery with the negative tip of the wire from the motor. This completes the circuit and engages flow of electricity from the battery.
    • If there are no LEDs: Connect the positive ends of the battery holder and motor together, and do the same with the negative (-) ends.
    • If there are LEDs: Directly connecting them to the battery would instantly kill them, so connect a 350ohm resistor to the positive end of the LED and connect the other end to the positive of the battery.
12. Glue the lid of the tupperware box to your small cardboard box, again using hot glue.
13. Put the tupperware box on the lid, and the battery can be tucked inside the cardboard box and you're done!

Tips

• Make sure to use a dime instead of a penny, a penny can be too large.

Warnings

• Always be careful when using a hot glue gun, and don't leave it running for too long.

Things You'll Need

• Glue gun
• Small box or container
• Small Tupperware box
• Penny
• 9V battery
• Hobby motor

See also

• Build a Remote Controlled Robot
• Make a Simple Robot With Everyday Supplies
• Build a Robot Car
• Build a Robot at Home
• Hack a Rumble Robot
• Build an Antweight Combat Robot
• Build a Robot That Can Do Chores

What links here

• Learn Robotics