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Introduction
Update !!!
This robotic platform won a FIRST PRICE at Instructables in the “STEM challenge” contest!
Overview
This page collects all my content related to my DIY Robotics Platform for Kids. From here, you can access the following projects:
My Easy Robot with optional upgrades
My Smartphone Robot extension for the Easy Robot
My collection of tutorial videos on how to program the smartphone robot
Material List
If you only want to make my Easy Robot or my Smartphone Robot, go to the related subpages and order just the materials from those pages. Here is a materials list if you want to be able to make all of it:
Must have materials for the basic robot:
Two geared solar motors (Solarbotics or Sol-Expert are great manufacturers)
Conductive tape with conductive adhesive
Five 3-volt button cells (CR2032)
Three binder clips (foldback paper clips)
Craft supplies: Paper glue and hot glue, transparent tape, Scissors, a bottle cap
Additional materials for Easy Robot upgrades:
Remote control (wired): Very flexible red and black wire, 3 meters each
Solar power upgrade: One or two solar cells
Light-Up antennae: Two LEDs (i use white LEDs)
Additional materials for the Smartphone Robot extension:
two photoresistors (aka light sensors)
two NPN transistors
Get Started - It’s Easy!
Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to download the following:
All the templates you need for this project
My electronics shopping guide for this project
And much more!
Included in every download:
Templates
All my templates are tested and ready for printing (PDF). Use them for yourself, your children or for a group of kids in class.
Download a free sample of my Easy Circuit template here.
electronics shopping guide
Making this project is much easier when using the exact same conductive tape and electronic components. Use my shopping guide to order everything you need.
You can find more about my electronics shopping guide here.
Looking for free downloads? This website has become more than just a hobby for me, so I have decided to charge a small fee for my templates.
Step1: Build your Easy Robot
Free Instructions and Templates:
The Easy Robot will be the basis for all our robots. It uses a simple paper circuit only.
Optional: Upgrade your Easy Robot
Once the Easy Robot is built you can upgrade it with a remote control, solar power, a cute robot body and light-up antennae!
=> Find free instructions and templates here!
Step 2: Turn the Easy Robot into a Smartphone Robot
Free Instructions and Templates
The Easy Robot can be extended with a new paper circuit to turn it into a Smartphone Robot that you can program with MIT App Inventor!
Maker Bot - A Smartphone Robot Variation
Want to use standard DC Motors?
The question I get asked the most is: "Is it possible to use standard DC (yellow) motors for this robot?" The answer is: YES, it is! But you have to change the other components for that as well!
I decided to make another version of this robot. This version uses standard maker materials like a breadboard and AA batteries. All the instructions you need are also included in the above download from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Introduction to Robotics Using MIT App Inventor (Part 1)
Start programming your smartphone robot
This video teaches you all the basics you need to know to start programming your smartphone robot. Just hit play and create your first apps!
Links and materials mentioned in this video
Download the robots face: right-click and save
Register at MIT app inventor: https://appinventor.mit.edu/
Start coding without registering (copy revisit code): http://code.appinventor.mit.edu
How to connect your phone over WIFI: https://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/ai2/setup-device-wifi.html
If you have trouble connecting App Inventor to your phone: https://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/ai2/support/troubleshooting
Introduction to Robotics Using MIT App Inventor (Part 2)
Program a Sequence of Moves for your Robot
In this video, you will learn how to program a sequence of moves for your robot, to solve a little puzzle!
More Coding Lessons?
There are a lot more coding lessons! All lessons are included in the above download from my Teachers Pay Teachers store. You will get the following coding lessons:
Make your robot talk
Make your robot listen to voice commands
Remote control your robot with another smartphone
Make precise 90° movements using the gyroscope sensor of the smartphone
and more….
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