The Robot Book: Build & Control 20 Electric Gizmos, Moving Machines, and Hacked Toys
By Bobby Mercer
4/5
()
About this ebook
How to use reuse and recycle components and supplies to build a variety of devices
The 20 easy-to-build robots in this project book can be constructed for little or no cost using common household objects and repurposed materials. From learning how to turn a toothbrush, an old cell phone or pager, and scrap wire into a Brush Bot, or how to hack a toy car to hotwire a Not-So-Remote Bot, each hands-on project contains a materials list and detailed step-by-step instructions with photos. Explanations of the science and technology behind each robot—including concepts such as friction, weight and mass, center of gravity, kinetic and potential energy, electric circuitry, DC vs. AC current, and more—are also included.
Bobby Mercer
An Adams Media author.
Read more from Bobby Mercer
Junk Drawer Chemistry: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Junk Drawer Physics: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Flying Machine Book: Build and Launch 35 Rockets, Gliders, Helicopters, Boomerangs, and More Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Racecar Book: Build and Race Mousetrap Cars, Dragsters, Tri-Can Haulers & More Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Junk Drawer Algebra: 50 Awesome Activities That Don't Cost a Thing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJunk Drawer Biology: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJunk Drawer Geometry: 50 Awesome Activities That Don't Cost a Thing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Robot Book
Related ebooks
Building Your Own Robots: Design and Build Your First Robot! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings30-Minute Robotics Projects Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Maker's Guide to Building Robots: A Step-by-Step Guide to Ordering Parts, Using Sensors and Lights, Programming, and More Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBuild Your Own Robots Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Explore Electricity!: With 25 Great Projects Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBasic Electronics for Tomorrow's Inventors: A Thames and Kosmos Book Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsElectrical Engineering: Learn It, Try It! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRobot Competitions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Field Guide to Household Technology Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRobotics!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSouped Up: Do-It-Yourself Projects to Make Anything Better Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Miniature Robots Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBots! Robotics Engineering: with Hands-On Makerspace Activities Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Backyard Rockets: Learn to Make and Launch Rockets, Missiles, Cannons, and Other Projectiles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLittle Leonardo's MakerLab: Robots Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRobotics Engineering: Learn It, Try It! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCircuitry and Electronics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGetting Started with Electronics: Build Electronic Circuits! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Upcycled Technology: Clever Projects You Can Do With Your Discarded Tech (Tech gift) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Gonzo Gizmos: Projects & Devices to Channel Your Inner Geek Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Way Toys Work: The Science Behind the Magic 8 Ball, Etch A Sketch, Boomerang, and More Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I Can Be a Robot Engineer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnscrewed: Salvage and Reuse Motors, Gears, Switches, and More from Your Old Electronics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Robot Builder's Cookbook: Build and Design Your Own Robots Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Extraordinary Projects for Ordinary People: Do-It-Yourself Ideas from the People Who Actually Do Them Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Mad Scientist Teaches: Electricity & Magnetism - 50 Fun Science Experiments for Grades 1 to 8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFun Experiments with Electricity: Mini Robots, Micro Lightning Strikes, and More Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Haywired: Pointless (Yet Awesome) Projects for the Electronically Inclined Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Super-Intelligent, High-tech Robot Book Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Children's Crafts & Hobbies For You
Summary of Shira Gill's Minimalista Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWord Search Puzzle Book for Men (Printable Version) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBuild It! Christmas: Make Supercool Models with Your Favorite LEGO® Parts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDrawing Fantasy Chibi: Learn How To Draw Kawaii Unicorns, Mermaids, Dragons, and Other Mythical, Magical Creatures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Draw Monsters and Other Scary Stuff Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Easy Origami 1: 21 Easy-Projects Step-by-Step to Do. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Draw Batman, Superman, and Other DC Super Heroes and Villains Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Drawing Chibi: Learn How to Draw Kawaii People, Animals, and Other Utterly Cute Stuff Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProjects for the Young Mechanic: Over 250 Classic Instructions & Plans Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The Complete Book of Arts & Crafts, Grades K - 4 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5101 Ways to Have Fun: Things You Can Do with Friends, Anytime! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArt Lab for Kids: Express Yourself Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5DIY Bedroom Decor: 50 Awesome Ideas for Your Room Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Redo Your Room: 50 Bedroom DIYs You Can Do in a Weekend Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Miss Patch's Learn to Sew Book Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Paper Planes: Fold and Fly Amazing Planes! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEasy Carpentry Projects for Children Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Cool Creations in 35 Pieces: Lego™ Models You Can Build with Just 35 Bricks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Kids' Guide to Birds of Texas: Fun Facts, Activities and 90 Cool Birds Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of Shawn Baker's Carnivore Diet Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Word Search Puzzle Book (Random Words) (Printable Version) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of John A. McDougall's The Mcdougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOrigami Papertainment: Samurai, Owls, Ninja Stars, and More! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsParties: Delicious Recipes for Holidays & Fun Occasions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Amazing Stitching Handbook for Kids Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Wonderful Colorful Wonder Wheel: Activities, Stickers, Poster & More Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Reviews for The Robot Book
1 rating0 reviews
Book preview
The Robot Book - Bobby Mercer
More
INTRODUCTION
BUILDING ROBOTS SHOULD BE FUN. Hacking old electronics and repurposing them is a start to something more complex. Making robots—or bots for short—should be a creative and educational experience.
The activities in this book will help you get your feet wet in the robot world. You will learn the basics of electronics and how simple robots function. You will make things move, shake, and walk. Programming and building more complex robots are tasks for the future—you will have to do much more work before you can create a robot to clean your room or do your homework.
This book starts with simple vibration bots. Vibration bots use motors to make them move. Next, you will learn how to hack old toys and give them new life as your own personal robots. Finally, the book will give you some hints on where to go next if you love robotics.
Science should be fun and rewarding, and experimentation is the key. Always start with a plan, but realize that trial and error also can be valuable. Don’t be afraid to modify and change the plans in this book to make your own, unique robots. Have a blast and enjoy.
Now it’s time to get started!
1
GETTING STARTED
WHAT IS A ROBOT?
A robot is any machine that is designed to do a task. Robots can range from robotic welders to Watson. Robotic welders and other industrial robots repeat the same task thousands of times a day, saving humans from backbreaking labor. Watson is a thinking machine created by IBM that in 2011 beat two of the greatest Jeopardy players of all time.
The word robot was first used in a play by the Czech playwright Karel Capek in 1920. He and his brother derived the word from robota, a Czech word meaning hard work.
In his play, the robots looked more like C-3PO than the robots you will be building.
SAFETY
Electricity can hurt you. It needs to be treated with respect. You should always get an adult’s permission to take apart any electronic device. Explain to the adult what you want to do and what you need from the broken toy, cell phone, toothbrush, or other device. NEVER take apart any electronic device that has a video monitor.
When taking apart anything electronic, even if it is broken, remove the battery. If it has a cord, cut off the cord first.
SOLDERING
Most of the bots in this book can be built using electrical tape for the wire connections. But to make robots more permanent, soldering is a must. Any good future robot builder needs to learn how to solder electrical joints.
Metals conduct electricity. Solder is a soft metal that melts easily with heat. When solder is melted between two exposed wires, it creates a permanent electrical connection. Soldering irons create the heat needed to melt the solder, but they are dangerous. You must get adult help and permission to solder.
Soldering takes practice, and you must follow safety precautions. Read and follow the directions that came with your soldering iron. Never touch the tip of a soldering iron—it will be very hot. You should solder only in a well-ventilated area, since the heat creates nasty fumes. Always solder on a surface that is not flammable. Keep paper away from the soldering iron. Many soldering iron kits come with a stand that holds the hot iron. If you are going to do many electronic projects, I highly recommend buying a soldering kit with a stand.
Another great accessory for soldering is a Third Hand to hold your piece in place. A Third Hand is available at any electronics or hobby store. This great device has at least three bendable arms and usually a magnifying glass. You can clip any piece you are working on onto the arms. This gives you two free hands—your hands—to hold the solder and the soldering gun.
Make sure you get permission from an adult before soldering. But again, almost all of the bots in this book can be built without using a soldering iron.
WHERE TO GET PARTS
This book focuses on simple robots, but you’ll still need parts to make your robots get up and go. Commercial robot kits are available from LEGO, K’NEX, and other sources, but building simple bots using parts you may already have is more exciting.
Never throw out toys, computer parts, or even dead cell phones or toothbrushes without scavenging parts first. (Remember to get adult permission and help before you start taking anything apart.) Save any gears, motors, pulleys, belts, wheels, switches, lights, and battery holders. Also, keep any wire you find. Create a robot junk box for all the cool parts you scavenge.
Electronic toys that no longer work are great sources for parts. A few of the projects in this book use repurposed old toys for bots. You can also find cheap toys at thrift stores that cost less than two or three dollars each. As you take them apart, think about creative uses for their parts.
Even if your toy doesn’t match the one shown in a project, you can use it to create your own