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

[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

[hussein1]

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

[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..........

                                              /       *           *      \
                                              !             J             !
                                                \        -------       /

[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 ??

[JoshuaZimmerman]

Probably you have it wired wrong. Recheck all your wires.

The same thing happened to me once. It's an wasy thing to do.

[101nemesis]

lol...i thought so too !! but i double checked..heck..i triple checked !! i even removed all the wiring n did it again !! No matter what i do...the motoe stops when i press the opposite switch !
I'm using a 3 cell battery holder rather than a 2 cell...could that be the mistake ?? Cause 2 cell battery holders are surprisingly hard to get in my area (dubai) !

[JoshuaZimmerman]

It could be that your motors are too high a voltage. It's not that your circuit is bad, your motor might not be getting enough power when in reverse mode.

[JoshuaZimmerman]

I had a great time making a couple of these over my Christmas vacation. They're rather easy to do and a whole lot of fun.

One easy way to make a shell is to use half of a clear christmas orniment bulb. I found some large plastic ones at a hobby store for $1. Half an orniment works perfectly, you just have to melt out some holed (I used an old soldering iron.).

I made some kits for this project on my website, http://www.browndoggadgets.com, for only $15.  Mostly because I had to buy a switches in bulk as they cost $3 each at Radio Shack.

 

[HOPKIR01]

how come there is only 5 of the white wires??????????????????????????

[sagarv48]

http://buildarobot.blogspot.com/ you can find resources for making a line following robot.. and many more!!

[sagarv48]

Good collection of robot tutorials available at http://buildarobot.blogspot.com/

[cloudstrife69]

what do you mean with "What" and "that mean" ??....

[shooternash]

Question: Say you had one motor with the normal + and - terminals. Could you split the positive and negative leads from the battery, so that you have 4 wires total now, hook a positive AND a negative lead to 1 terminal on the motor. Then if you had an SPDT switch and at either throw have 1 positive and 1 negative. So then if you were to flip the switch and connect say a positive within the switch to the one, central lead leading to the remaining motor terminal, would it spin? And if you were to flip the switch the opposite direction, would the motor spin opposite? Basically, would the postive and negative automatically connect within the motor and the remaining positive or negative not affect the wiring? Sorry if it's kind of wordy. Hard to explain. Thanks

[will0w222]

what?????????? so hard to under stand

[coolariel]

do u hav to use heat shrink?

[robomaniac]

no


but you need some grip or else the motor shaft is too shinny and it will slip on the floor!

[robot1398]

can i attach the the motor straight with a wheel but not on an angle

[robot1398]

can i use some thing else instead of heat shrink

[J-Five]

In the first video I know what it's saying "Get me out!!!!"