How to Make a Robot – Lesson 1: Getting Started
Posted on August 4th, 2010 in Articles, Hobbyist, How To Make a Robot, Projects, Robots
- Lesson 1 – Getting Started
- Lesson 2 - Choosing a Robotic Platform
- Lesson 3 - Making Sense of Actuators
- Lesson 4 - Understanding Microcontrollers
- Lesson 5 - Choosing a Motor Controller
- Lesson 6 – Controlling your Robot
- Lesson 7 - Using Sensors
- Lesson 8 - Getting the Right Tools
- Lesson 9 - Assembling a Robot
- Lesson 10 - Programming a Robot
Getting Started
Welcome to the first installment of the Grand RobotShop Tutorial, a series of 10 lessons that will teach you how to make your own robot. This tutorial is aimed at anybody willing to get started in robotics and have a basic understanding of terms such as “voltage”, “current”, “motor”, and “sensors”. Although this might seem pretty basic, even people with previous robot building experience might find useful information regarding the general method of building a robot. What is a robot? There are many definitions of robot and no real consensus has been attained so far. We loosely define a robot as follows:Robot: An electromechanical device which is capable of reacting in some way to its environment, and take autonomous decisions or actions in order to achieve a specific task.This means that a toaster, a lamp, or a car would not be considered as robots since they have no way of perceiving their environment. On the other hand, a vacuum cleaner that can navigate around a room, or a solar panel that seeks the sun, can be considered as a robotic system. It is also important to note that the “robots” featured in Robot Wars for instance or any solely remote controlled device would not fall under this definition and would be closer to a more complex remote controlled car. Although this definition is quite general, it might need to evolve in the future in order to keep up with the latest advancement in the field. In order to get a sens of how robotics is rapidly growing, we suggest you take a look at the RobotShop History of Robotics. Let’s get started This series of tutorials is intended to guide you through the steps of building a complete mobile robot. There are 10 lessons that will be released in the following 10 weeks. Each lesson guides you through one step of making a general-purpose mobile robot. This will enable you to build your very own mobile robot in order to perform a task of your choice. Each lesson will be illustrated with an example from RobotShop experience in producing the RobotShop Rover. The lessons are intended to be read one after the other and build upon the information gained. STEP 1 The first step is to determine what your robot should do (i.e. what is its purpose in life). Robots can be used in almost any situation and are primarily intended to help humans in some way. If you are unsure of what you want your robot to do or simply want to concentrate your efforts on specific tasks, here are some ideas:
Knowledge & Learning
In order to build increasingly complex robots, most professionals and hobbyists use knowledge they have acquired when building previous robots. Instead of building one robot, you can learn how to use individual components with the objective of building your own “knowledge library” to use to undertake a larger, more complex design in the future.
Amusement & Companionship
Building a robot is in and of itself is fun and exciting. Robotics incorporates aspects of many disciplines including engineering (mechanical, electrical, computer), sciences (mathematics and physics) and arts (aesthetics) and users are free to use their imagination. Amusing others with your creations (especially if they are user-friendly and interactive) helps others to become interested in the field.
Competitions & Contests
Competitions give the project design guidelines and a due date. They also put your robot against others in the same class and test your design and construction skills. Although many competitions are specifically for students (elementary to university), there also exist open competitions where adults and professionals alike can compete.
Autonomous life form
Humans are natural creators and innovators. The next great innovation will be to develop a fully autonomous life form that rivals or surpasses ourselves in ability and perhaps creativity. This goal is still being accomplished in small steps by individuals, research organizations and professionals.
Domestic or Professional tasks
Domestic robots help liberate people from unpleasant or dangerous tasks and give them more liberty and security. Professional and Service Robots are used in a variety of applications at work, in public, in hazardous environments, in locations such as deep-sea, battlefields and space, just to name a few. In addition to the service areas such as cleaning, surveillance, inspection and maintenance, we utilize these robots where manual task execution is dangerous, impossible or unacceptable. Professional and Service Robots are more capable, rugged and often more expensive than domestic robots and are ideally suited for professional and/or commercial use.
Security and Surveillance
Most mobile robots are used to venture into areas where humans either should not or cannot go. Robots of various sizes (either remote controlled, semi-autonomous or fully autonomous) are an ideal choice for these tasks.
Practical Example
We anticipate that most of you following this guide have the objective of building a robot for learning and knowledge, but also for sheer fun; though many will have a specific idea or project they want to materialize.
The last major consideration is budget. It is difficult to know exactly what people have in mind when they build their first robot; one might already want to build an autonomous snow removal robot, while another simply wants to make an intelligent clock. A simple programmable mobile robot might cost about $100 while a more complex can be several thousands of dollars.
In this exercise, we have chosen to make a mobile platform in order to get an understanding of motors, sensors, microcontrollers and programming, and to include a variety of sensors. We’ll keep the budget to about $200 to $300 since we want it to be fairly complete.
For further information on learning how to make a robot, please visit the RobotShop Learning Center. Visit the RobotShop Community Forum in order to seek assistance in building robots, showcase your projects or simply hang-out with other fellow roboticists.Read Similar Posts:
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August 27th, 2010 at 23:03
what is the parts of robots….
August 30th, 2010 at 09:40
can i understand robotics without having technical background
September 1st, 2010 at 16:32
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
September 2nd, 2010 at 08:50
wats the ending date for 2nd lesson??
September 4th, 2010 at 20:48
Thanks for the great lessons on robotics!
September 7th, 2010 at 11:40
this is very usefull…….
nice job……
thanks for the information
September 18th, 2010 at 01:13
it is very use full about robo
September 18th, 2010 at 09:19
i liked it …………………………………………………….
but no information from Lesson 4 toLesson 10
September 18th, 2010 at 09:20
thanks a million
September 19th, 2010 at 04:10
what is the part of robot
September 20th, 2010 at 04:24
myself sunil,i want to know more about robots
September 20th, 2010 at 04:29
its very to know the method of prepreparation of robots
September 21st, 2010 at 13:42
thanks so much.this is the closest ive come to making my first robot. i hope i learn enough to make one.
September 22nd, 2010 at 09:32
helpful for me,,,,,
October 2nd, 2010 at 06:12
can i able to build a robot with this tutorials..?
October 2nd, 2010 at 21:06
thank’s./ .
where the lessons another???
October 4th, 2010 at 03:50
nice,
plz show it more practically
October 11th, 2010 at 03:37
this is very use full and nice.plz continue to release the other lessons ( 4-10)
thanks !
October 15th, 2010 at 21:17
its so helpful please continue this
October 17th, 2010 at 18:25
PLZ..Continue as soon as u can
where is the other lessons?? (5-10) ??
October 20th, 2010 at 23:59
thanks man.this is very useful.keep it up.
October 23rd, 2010 at 09:12
its very good
October 26th, 2010 at 01:59
its nice please release otrher parts
October 27th, 2010 at 06:44
wow!!!!!!!!!!! i understood nothing.
October 28th, 2010 at 20:47
hello u want to make robat like me ican hellp u with ur first lesoon beep boop
October 28th, 2010 at 20:49
and it wont take long beep beep beep boop
October 30th, 2010 at 05:01
can u show design of robot arm based on microprocessor???????
November 4th, 2010 at 05:36
how r d parts of a robot assembld?????
November 8th, 2010 at 23:59
few more information of microprocessors are needed
November 10th, 2010 at 02:52
good job ….
go ahead….
November 10th, 2010 at 09:56
how to make simple robots
November 10th, 2010 at 12:30
wow!!!!! its interesting but how to assemble the parts of a robot and what are they.
November 10th, 2010 at 15:47
Hi Everybody.
Thank you for the great feedback, we really appreciate it. In order to get help with making robots, we suggest you visit our forum: RobotShop Community Forum
There you will be able to find help from the RobotShop technical team and from other roboticists.
November 10th, 2010 at 17:35
For all those wanting to get started with robotics and seeking simple instructions on assembling your first robot, we recommend using the DFRobotShop Rover. In its page you will find all the required information to get this nifty robot running in no time.
This robot is aimed at beginners and advanced users as well, Beginners will be able to get the robot to move and perform preprogrammed action in no time, while learning about programming and robotics in general. On the other hand, more advanced users will appreciate the fact they the platform is Arduino based and thus can be easily expanded with Arduino Shields .
November 10th, 2010 at 17:43
Make sure you have a look at lesson 4 which treats specifically about microcontrollers. Let us know if you have further questions.
November 11th, 2010 at 03:00
this is really cool and I have
to check out your upcoming
dynamic lessons!…
November 11th, 2010 at 22:27
how can i make a robot using home junk not technical things with an easy method
November 12th, 2010 at 15:54
It is certainly possible to hack household appliances and other everyday objects and make them into a robot. This can mainly be done once you have a sense of what are the requirements for a robot and how the different components in an appliance for instance could help you do that. Also, if people is able to make robots form household materials, it is because household materials can sometimes be packed with motors, circuits and other useful things.
The first step for hacking junk into useful things would be to take them apart and be familiar with the components and how they work together. Usually toys and small appliances are a good and almost natural start.
November 15th, 2010 at 05:21
Can you give me more details about the voice recognition robots?
November 15th, 2010 at 10:27
About speech recognition robots, you might be interested in the Speech Recognition Modules form Tigal.
November 16th, 2010 at 05:32
thank you for giving this valuable information on robotics
November 17th, 2010 at 03:08
nice job……….
November 17th, 2010 at 10:48
Thanks for the positive feedback!
November 24th, 2010 at 08:50
yeah this really helped me a lot
no wrong in trying this……
November 27th, 2010 at 08:08
hi i’m 13 i want to make a robot
November 28th, 2010 at 09:17
Great Lesson..
Eagerly waiting for 5-10 lessons.
November 29th, 2010 at 07:06
tks for the info
December 1st, 2010 at 04:46
i wanna make a robot,but i don’t have any idea about robot tell me and describe with audio how to make robot and plz.. sent me the cost of tht robot.
December 14th, 2010 at 15:59
hi.thanck
December 16th, 2010 at 18:01
why the heck does every robot-making thing that i look up cost money? I don’t have $100! I WOULD LIKE A FREE ROBOT THANK YOU VERY MUCH
December 17th, 2010 at 10:59
@dkoster, There is no free lunch.
In order to accomplish the robot you describe it would require knowledge, robot making experience besides ingenuity and creativity. It takes a lot of experimenting and know-how in order to create a robot out of old junk.
Also, these lessons are simple in the sense that they summarize the knowledge currently required to make a robot using off-the-shelf (and maybe some custom) parts. By no means this is a comprehensive repository of the knowledge related to make a robot.
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:54
can we make robots in low budgets?
Also want to know about gadgets
January 8th, 2011 at 02:09
explain me parts of the robots
January 15th, 2011 at 08:23
i love it
January 16th, 2011 at 14:51
great website. very useful for anyone like myself wanting to get into robotics
January 17th, 2011 at 09:57
Thanks for the kind comments everybody!
January 18th, 2011 at 05:37
i’m horeb doing my mechanical engineering final year,i’m interested in robotics.I’m planning for a project on robot so please can any one guide me through my project?
January 19th, 2011 at 10:07
thnk u fr ur information…:)
January 28th, 2011 at 02:36
hai ,thanks
January 28th, 2011 at 02:37
how to make a small robot in limited amount
January 31st, 2011 at 08:54
can u say about the manufacture of a robot,i means the equipment needed for doing the parts of a robot.hope u will definitely help me.thank u very much
February 2nd, 2011 at 06:56
very boringg v have 2 just read n go on reading
February 3rd, 2011 at 10:18
until now i was searching for a good web site to know about robotics now i got and opportunity to know about them i am very thank full to the publisher.
February 5th, 2011 at 06:43
i am very thankful to the publisher now i can know more about robotics
February 8th, 2011 at 06:29
How to make a simple robot which are used generally
what is the simple procidure to make a robot
February 8th, 2011 at 09:37
till now i never got the information about robotics and know i can learn more & more. I am very thankful to the publishers <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
February 8th, 2011 at 09:37
till now i never got the information about robotics and know i can learn more & more. I am very thankful to the publishers
February 16th, 2011 at 06:45
i was able to learn more about robots……i am thankful to the publisher….
February 17th, 2011 at 10:15
i want from chapters 7 to 10 pls..
February 19th, 2011 at 23:17
tel more about its programming
February 23rd, 2011 at 05:35
i want to make a robo .how?
February 26th, 2011 at 05:43
we r a gang of frnds waiting to make a mark in robotics field.
can any one help us????????
March 15th, 2011 at 05:36
THANK YOU VERY MUCH……..
March 16th, 2011 at 11:43
thankyou alot this will help the many people in many ways
March 18th, 2011 at 22:57
I’m trying to find someone to help to build a Robot idea called: Eggobot
March 20th, 2011 at 16:17
thats too knowlege for bigeners….thnx
March 26th, 2011 at 11:55
Please i want the programming instructions for my humanoid
March 28th, 2011 at 08:38
Than this is not the right place to ask your question, please visit http://www.robotshop.com/forum/
April 1st, 2011 at 05:10
the lessons to understand the robot is not clear.use figures and exmples to be clear
May 1st, 2011 at 00:13
thank you for your given information,but
i want more information about ROBO programs please
May 1st, 2011 at 08:31
Woow . This is soo great .
Wooww . I love itt .
good . fantasic
May 1st, 2011 at 08:32
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Robots are my life <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
May 2nd, 2011 at 08:04
For robot programming you will need to wait until lesson 10. In the meantime, you can read all the completed lessons.
May 2nd, 2011 at 08:14
Wow! Thanks for the kind comment.
May 8th, 2011 at 12:24
CAN I UNDERSTAND ROBOTICS WIDOUT ANY TECHNICAL SENSE ………..AS I AM A JUST A STUDENT OF class 8th …………..and could u plz advice me wid some useful ideas for making a home made (probably, junk made) working robot………………..plzzzzzz
May 9th, 2011 at 12:51
We invite you to follow the lessons and let us know if you have any specific questions., we believe the lessons have enough information to get you started making robots very fast.
June 9th, 2011 at 05:15
i need some video from you in that video have a manufacturing a small robotics
June 13th, 2011 at 05:42
Hi i am anil.i am b.tech 3nd year student.i want to make robot.how strated it,how to make a simple robot?plz give me advice.Plzzzzzzz……. help.
June 30th, 2011 at 04:34
COOL ROBOTS
July 4th, 2011 at 12:11
this type of information will be very useful for the beginners in robotics….keep it going on
July 18th, 2011 at 23:04
I’m Soksan student of BBU . Would you please give me the video of the sample of robot that you made.
July 20th, 2011 at 08:25
nice..were i can buy some some parts to make a robot?
July 30th, 2011 at 14:12
i want to learn about robotics
August 5th, 2011 at 06:42
robotics is a tremendous topic and i have great in it.robot is a good artificial
social worker .it can be used to survive the human being at the time of specific & natural hazards & for many more.
thanks
August 5th, 2011 at 06:44
robotics is a tremendous topic and i have great interest in it.robot is a good artificial
social worker .it can be used to survive the human being at the time of specific & natural hazards & for many more.
thanks
August 5th, 2011 at 09:29
Thanks a very informative nd interestin session….
August 8th, 2011 at 06:42
where i can buy some parts to make a robot. where i find the electronic tools.
August 8th, 2011 at 09:16
RobotShop.com !
August 8th, 2011 at 12:16
how to make robot firstly start plse say complete information plse.
August 18th, 2011 at 05:12
hi am praveena thanks lot but i want help from u now am doing one project ,u have any information about robo mail me .plz how to do ?mail name crazypraveen.13@gmail.com.plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
August 30th, 2011 at 07:13
hi this is sachin i want to make project on robot i know its difficult but i can do it so plz help me
September 9th, 2011 at 08:39
hai i am rajya lakshmi.i am very interested in robotic,but i don’t know any thing about that.plzzzz help me
September 9th, 2011 at 22:30
hi like robots easy way to make it is through reading and by other purposes.
so bye see u
September 17th, 2011 at 01:02
Hai.. im interested in Robotic…can u help me how to make robot…please tell me about how to make robot
September 20th, 2011 at 06:10
hwey my self sandesh kumar…i want 2 make robots as i m very much interested in robotic world ..so plz help me…i just want 2 change dis world…help me…
September 23rd, 2011 at 01:05
nice but not very clear. plz tell me compleate information……
September 27th, 2011 at 07:28
wow……………………………………………………….
September 29th, 2011 at 16:21
When will the last two lessons come out?
September 30th, 2011 at 11:50
lovely job….its very useful thank you for so much information….go ahead
September 30th, 2011 at 23:19
hey what the nonsense full of idiots work i am not interested
October 7th, 2011 at 06:06
hi this is Ganesh; i want 2 give a interview for “Robocon international event” so help me……..
Thank you.
November 3rd, 2011 at 07:50
thank u very much. I surely want to work on one of these projects
November 17th, 2011 at 17:05
hi
November 17th, 2011 at 17:05
you rock
November 17th, 2011 at 17:07
you are awesome
thank you
November 17th, 2011 at 17:07
your awesome
thank you
November 25th, 2011 at 00:15
everything is nonsence….
but its ok its ok for chikdren
November 25th, 2011 at 00:15
srrry *children
November 25th, 2011 at 04:04
Okay you are true, YouTube is most excellent video sharing web site, because YouTube is a lightly no much streaming time rather than other websites.
November 30th, 2011 at 02:37
ya..
thanks..
show the vedio how to make????
December 14th, 2011 at 03:13
I Love Robots ♥♥♥! im going to ROBOTICS workshop in 16th December in Jamshedpur!
December 15th, 2011 at 04:31
I Want The Lesson 10 Also . But The Information Is Very Goof
December 22nd, 2011 at 03:46
I want to make a robot. So,give me some tips.
December 22nd, 2011 at 03:51
I want to make a robot.Tell me about material required give me some tips also.
December 22nd, 2011 at 09:33
This type of question is the main reason we have started the Grand Tutorial Series.
December 22nd, 2011 at 09:34
The Grand Tutorial Series is there to help you make your first robot.
December 29th, 2011 at 01:38
Thank you for very wonderful information. It’s really helpful.
December 31st, 2011 at 15:35
hi
i m rashid i have completed my robot but i don’t how to do its programming plz help me
ID sayeed0454@gmail.com
January 8th, 2012 at 08:20
i love robotics & robot . but i have not so much knowldge about it. plz give me knowldge
January 14th, 2012 at 01:19
can u upload few videos?