How to Build a Robot - The BeetleBot

Welcome!

I have been in robotics since I was a kid and I am very passionate by robotics. I learn BEAM robotics around 1997-98 and started building robots for a science faire project call "Insectroides" in 2001. http://robomaniac.solarbotics.net ( they change server and the website links does not work anymore it is on Linux and it is CASE SeNsiTIve! ) here is the old one
http://members.tripod.com/robomaniac_2001/index.htm

One of my many robots was the beetle robot, a VERY simple robot that can avoid obstacles on the floor without ANY silicon chip! ( the red ladybug, second picture, is my FIRST beetlerobot )
the red ladybug use a home made PCB carve with a dremel and two playstation motors with rubber wheel from a walkman!

- NO PROGRAMMING
- NO ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

It use
2 - motors
2 - SPDT switch
1 - AA battery holder

I has 16 years old when my uncle showed me the principal of the SPDT switch ( Simple Pole Double Throw). I then took this idea and incorporated the design into the (world famous) beetle robot :P

Now I am 22 and want to show you step by step instructions how YOU can make this simple robot!

here are some videos of my beetlerobot in action!

The beetlerobot in the video is made using a Printed Circuit Board ( PCB ).
This design will be use if I make a kit one day!

Check them all out here!
http://www.youtube.com/jeromedemers

This Instructable is divided into three parts

- You will learn how to build the robot
- I will explain how the robot works
- I will then teach you how to fix your robot if it does not work ( Debugging )

Don't forget to read the complete tutorial before starting! And remember to wear safety glasses at all time because eye injuries ain't worth the risk! It will happen in a blick of an eye.

Have a great time!

ps- Check out Gareth Branwyn book, I made a one motor walker and he made a complete chapter with my robot!! He send me the book call " Absolute beginner's guide to building robots" A very great book!

Maybe I should write a book...

Jerome Demers aka ROBOMANIAC!

Updated july 2007 - I have added some pictures of the inside of my first beetlerobot. Home made AAA battery holder! I have also added some videos on youtube! http://www.youtube.com/jeromedemers

Updated 22 july 2007 - I added a picture and text on step 19 if your robot does not work :P

Step 1: All the parts you need

Here ar the parts you will need:

the robot parts'
2 - 1,5V motors
2 - SPDT switchs mechanically easy to trigger
2 - AA battery
1 - AA battery holder
1 - plastic or wooden pearl
1 - heat shrink that will fit over the motor shaft

This might cost you less then 10$ cdn.
1,98$ for both motors
1$ for the battery holder
1,98$ for both SPDT switchs
ok ok maybe 10$ is a lot!

I like to buy my stuff here
http://www.solarbotics.com/
http://allelectronics.com/
http://www.goldmine-elec.com/default.htm
http://www.bgmicro.com/

If you recycle it might be all FREE! Try searching old VCR, PS2, old toys, printer, etc
Back then, I use to recycle EVERYTHING, I got everything FREE, old VCR are very good for gears and something SPDT switchs!!! Playstation have great super good motors, the one that makes the laser move.

the tool to complet the robot
1 - safety glasses
1 - soldering iron
1 - glue gun
1 - wire strippers
1 - side cutter
1 - scissors, knife, x-acto, etc

You need some 1,5Volts motor, not 3V or no event 12V!!
Each motors are powered by a SINGLE AA battery! You will draining your battery if you use bigger motor. You can find them in toys or even at your local dollarrama, in little car, fans, etc! ( beware, they might really suck you battery down )

the SPDT swiths need to be really sensitive! I have order some the order day that where to hard to activated, that might cause some problems and the robot might not even avoid obstacles but rather hug them until death. These swiths are the most expensive part of the robot... around 1$ to 4$ each. The one I use are from Cherry.
http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/sealed/dcjk.htm

You should check http://www.solarbotics.com for some great motors. They even have a SPDT switch in store! I have never tried them but Grant did.

Here is a picture of the Solarbotics switchs in use. The beetlerobot was build by Grant McKee, the engineer for Solarbotics but currently works for WOWWEE in Hongkong ( poor Grant! :P)

http://grant.solarbotics.net/images/MISC/Beetle_bot-IMG_3138.jpg

http://grant.solarbotics.net/Misc.htm

Comments

[hussein1]

hey man can i use an mouse spdt switch?? please reply on this site please.

[jwoo2023]

1 year old reply -.-'
The mouse SPDT would be hard to use, you have to de-solder, and the switch doesn't have an actuator lever (The metal thingy). But it could work! You could hot glue the paper clip on, that's what i tried to do, It fell off after the bot hit a wall 3x

[CarlyAnne7]

Can I Just Buy One From You ?

[jwoo2023]

You can buy one from Solarbotics now!
Solarbotics Beetle Bot

[meghams]

hey very nice bot ..!!wanna try right away ...but one thing which is boggling my mind is how you have fixed those motors in such a inclined angle..??

[raghav57]

i am raghav. i am 12 years old. i got all parts and i made some but how to stick SPDT switches and motors to battery holder.and where can i get heat shrink.the only part i didn't get.where can i get please say

[rashtekar]

my bot is not going front when i coneect battries to the motors directly they work properly...but when i connect it to the switch and spdt switches it works slow and doesnt move forward...plz reply....i have to show it on monday..:-(

[rashtekar]

my teacher is asking the uses of this beetle bot...what do i tell her????

[TANMAYEE]

can u please help with the uses of this beetlebot?? do reply soon. Got an urgency. thank you. :)

[Wisaam]

Can you please tell me the actual function of the SPDT switch and how does it work?...Please do reply..

[prakash0302]

hi it's cool idea...........!!!!

[indradiana]

can i use two 3 volt motors by only using two 1.5 volt batteries?
does the beetle robot still work normally ?

[niljo]

Hi!! i made the beetle robot, bt it wnt wrk if i let go of the switch.. i have to keep it presd..and the funny thng is tat wen i press the spdt swittch on right side, the left motor rotates and vice versa... cud u pls help me wit dis...

[robomaniac]

hello

you are also there.

It is normal that when you press the right switch the left motor spin. That is compltely normal with the Beetle robot V1.

You told me that the robot does not move until you press the switch. This only mean that the third connection is not properly connected to the inside of the battery pack.


When you plug the battery both motors should spin forward. When you press the switch, the opposite motor should turn backward.

Make sure you have a good solder joint, a clean one with no flux or dirty thing on it.

[niljo]

hey thnks.. it really helped.. nw ts wrkng no prblm... thnks a lot jerome :)

[niljo]

these are sm pics of the beetlebot i made.. i even made the third connection.. it wud very helpful fr me if u assissted me wit dis.. and my email id is [e-mail]

[biocon77]

can i use a Illuminated round rocker spdt switch?

[robomaniac]

well not really, only if you find an innovating way to trigger the swt with the antenna. then that will work. Rocket swt are stiff (hard to activate) so you need help with a lever system.

[biocon77]

thanks also, can i use jumper wires

[biocon77]

do jumper wires work?

[rimo]

it works ty sir

[xXYEIROXx]

Hi there, i Did it! it works xDD ok to the grain, i wanna make one for one scientific faire in my high school but i wanna make it with an solar panel, so i dont see where i can put a thirth conection, if you know how plz make me know!

[shadabd.kvdwd]

when my robot touches to a wall ,the switch will press till this process the robot is ok but after that the motor do not have that much force to push can you tell me what is problem...

reply at [e-mail]......pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Yaryev]

Hello, my son really likes science projects, is in third grade. How or where do you recommend I can find information for my child to start learning about robotics? thanks

[rnoorlind]

Thanks to this tutorial I got few burns :p from soldering iron and glue gun but I finished my robot. Although the wiring pic wasn't very helpful as with my robot I had one wire on every thinkable nob but the instructing pic had one wire about two wires. At that part things got messed up. So all was able to do was to sketch circuits until I understood it. But I thank you for making me think it through like that.
Thank you!

[rajaavadi]

Where does that blue wire from motor go?
d'où vient le fil bleu aller?

[aabuzaid]

hi how are you ,,, there are anyone can help me to built robot ,,,, i am studing mechatronics and there are project for robot course ,, my project is wowwee robotpet robot

[kkeyan]

hey dude it is realllllly intrestinggggggggggggggg

[rnoorlind]

At least the picture has metric system.

[jsharma4]

can i use spdt switch found in mouse fr d robot model?????????
plz reply fast..........i've 2 submmit my robo on 28 th

[ashuki]

can you give me the schematic diagram ?

[rkittukriti]

hey can i use it for my biology project!!??

[rmkn21]

In legazpi city, spdt limit switch is called micro switch

[gpunia]

can you help me make a SPDT switch from house things pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee
and if you know please send me at [e-mail]

[sanjo shaju]

can u help me to make a SPDT switch by using home thing!!!!!!!!!!

i will be very glad if you help me pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese..........

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[IT BITz]

Hai the above one is me

[alzrc_13j]

go chop some old pc mouse....u can find it there...that is what i used for my beetle bot.....just be careful not to toast the switches hehehe

[kabshab77]

what does solder mean?

[pudgytaco]

Soldering is defined as "the joining of metals by a fusion of alloys which have relatively low melting points". In other words, you use a metal that has a low melting point to adhere the surfaces to be soldered together. Consider that soldering is more like gluing with molten metal, unlike welding where the base metals are actually melted and combined. Soldering is also a must have skill for all sorts of electrical and electronics work. It is also a skill that must be taught correctly and developed with practice. from http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm

[101nemesis]

I've made the robot..but when i press the swtich..the opposite motor STOPS . It doesn't reverse its direction !
What could be the reason ??