Description
Book SynopsisFun robotics projects that teach kids to make, hack, and learn! There's no better way for kids to learn about the world around them than to test how things work. Building Your Own Robots presents fun robotics projects that children aged 7 11 can complete with common household items and old toys.
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Get Started with Robot-Building 2
About This Book 2
Basic Tools and Supplies 3
About You 4
For Parents 4
About the Icons 5
Project 1: Make a Brushbot, Fast and Easy! 6
Understanding What Makes a Robot 6
Building Your First Robot: Make a Brushbot “Walking” Robot 8
For Vibrating Motors: Hack Your Toothbrush 9
Use Just the Right Bristle Brush 11
Materials You Need 12
Tools You Need 14
Making the Brushbot — Simple Version 15
Making the Brushbot — Open Guts Version. 19
Remove the Battery Compartment and Motor from the Toothbrush 20
Only If Needed: Cut Off the Brush Head 21
Tape the Battery Compartment to the Motor 22
Test the Motor 23
Attach a Rubber Band to Hold the Battery Cover in Place 24
Glue the Motor to the Back of the Brush 25
Going Further 28
Project 2: Build a Robot from a Toy Car 29
Building a Motorized Robotic Buggy 29
Find the Right Toy Car 30
Materials You Need 32
Tools You Need 33
Making the Bot 35
Take the Body Off the Car Chassis 35
Add a Rubber Layer to the Motor Shaft 36
Wire the Motor 38
Mount the Motor 40
Test the Motor with a Battery 45
Connect and Mount the Batteries 47
Playing with Your Robot Buggy 51
Going Further 51
Project 3: Build a Mousebot 53
Getting Everything Rounded Up 54
Materials You Need 54
Tools You Need 55
Making the Mousebot 58
Add a Rubber “Tire” to the Motor Shafts 58
Attach Wires to the Motors 59
Cut the Base Piece 62
Mount the Motors 63
Add a “Tail” 67
Test Each Motor with a Battery 69
Wire the Battery Holder 70
Mount the Battery Holder 74
Playing With The Mousebot 75
Going Further 77
Project 4: Hack a Radio-Controlled Toy 78
Finding Radio-Controlled Toys for Robot Forging 79
The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Pretty 79
Steering Styles 79
Two Examples of Hackable R/C Toys 81
Hacking the Car-Type R/C Toy 82
Materials You Need 83
Tools You Need 85
Disassemble the Toy Car 86
Cut the Parts for the Switch and Control Base 87
Construct the Switch 89
Wire the Switch to Create an “H-Bridge” Circuit 92
Wire the Switch to the Motor 95
Attach the Wires to the R/C Car Motor 99
Wire the Battery Holder 102
Mount the Battery Holder 104
Test the R/C Car Using Your Homebrew Switch 104
Substituting with Readymade Switches 106
Extra Parts You Need 106
Wire the Switches 108
Run the R/C Car Through Its Paces 112
Going Further 113
Author Notes 114
Finding the Stuff to Build Your Robots 114
Discount General Merchandise, Supplies, and Tools 114
Electrical Supplies 115
Toys for Disassembly 115
Tools and Electrical Supply 116
Robot-Making Kits and Parts 116
Robotics Information, Building Plans, and Blogs 117
Selected International Sellers 117
Glossary 118
