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This is the beetle robot instructables revisited a la MythBusters style!
I originally made a instructables about my beetle robot version 1.
It is now time to show you a new version of this wonderful robot. This new version is much easier to build and fool proof!
The beetle robot (Beetle bot), is a very simple and efficient robot that use no electronics component to avoid obstacle in his path. It use two SPDT switch to avoid obstacles by reversing the opposite motor to pivote and free himself. There is no silicon chip, that is, no integrated circuit, no transistor, no resistor, capacitor, etc.
This mean very cheap to build!
The major modification is the cross antenna. When you have cross antenna, obstacles like a chair leg won't be any danger to the robot. The robot will be able to avoid it. On the original design, the antennas where in a V shape and the chair leg would go right in the middle of the V and the robot would had a hard time to get free.
By having the cross antenna, it also help with the assembly of the robot. The switch are closer together which help in the soldering of the wires.
Here is a little resume turn into a video. Check it out!
This article was created because I got contacted by a Make editor. I then took pictures and redid the beetle for an article that I wrote in the MAKE magazine Volume 12.
After a few month I saw this: Top articles in MAKE 1 - 12.
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/03/top_articles_in_make_1_12.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
It turns out, that my article was one of the most read of there digital magazine!
Here is the digital version of my article.
http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol12/?pg=150
I took 134 pictures, that is 235Mb of files! I had a really hard time to choose the perfect pictures to make this instructable!
In 2010 I made a internship at www.solarbotics.com and made this solderless kit
http://www.solarbotics.com/products/k_jb/
Look at blue and the green beetle bot in the pictures! They look awesome!
The only thing you need is a screwdriver that we give in the kit!
Thank you!
Jerome Demers
www.JeromeDemers.com
I originally made a instructables about my beetle robot version 1.
It is now time to show you a new version of this wonderful robot. This new version is much easier to build and fool proof!
The beetle robot (Beetle bot), is a very simple and efficient robot that use no electronics component to avoid obstacle in his path. It use two SPDT switch to avoid obstacles by reversing the opposite motor to pivote and free himself. There is no silicon chip, that is, no integrated circuit, no transistor, no resistor, capacitor, etc.
This mean very cheap to build!
The major modification is the cross antenna. When you have cross antenna, obstacles like a chair leg won't be any danger to the robot. The robot will be able to avoid it. On the original design, the antennas where in a V shape and the chair leg would go right in the middle of the V and the robot would had a hard time to get free.
By having the cross antenna, it also help with the assembly of the robot. The switch are closer together which help in the soldering of the wires.
Here is a little resume turn into a video. Check it out!
This article was created because I got contacted by a Make editor. I then took pictures and redid the beetle for an article that I wrote in the MAKE magazine Volume 12.
After a few month I saw this: Top articles in MAKE 1 - 12.
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/03/top_articles_in_make_1_12.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
It turns out, that my article was one of the most read of there digital magazine!
Here is the digital version of my article.
http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol12/?pg=150
I took 134 pictures, that is 235Mb of files! I had a really hard time to choose the perfect pictures to make this instructable!
In 2010 I made a internship at www.solarbotics.com and made this solderless kit
http://www.solarbotics.com/products/k_jb/
Look at blue and the green beetle bot in the pictures! They look awesome!
The only thing you need is a screwdriver that we give in the kit!
Thank you!
Jerome Demers
www.JeromeDemers.com
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Signing UpStep 1The BeetleBot v2 ( Revisited ) - The component list
This is what you will need to build this robot.
Items for the robot:
2 x 1,5V motors
2 x SPDT ( single pole double throw ) switches with a metal lever
2 x AA or AAA battery
2 x Terminal connector ( see picture )
1 x AA or AAA battery holder
1 x Plastic or wooden pearl ( Spherical bead )
1 x 1 inch x 3 inch piece of metal or aluminum
1 x Toggle switch for the on/off switchs
Paper clips big and small
2 feets of wires around 22/24 Gauge size
Heat shrink that will fit over the motor shaft and some that will fit over the terminal connector
Electric tape and masking tape
Items for the body shell :
Round plastic lid to make the shell of the robot
Some spray can paint, the colour you want.
Clear varnish
Autobody filler putty or epoxy glue
2 x Small magnets to attach shell to body.
You need some 1,5Volts motor, not 3V or no event 12V!!
Each motors are powered by a single AA battery. You will drain your battery if you use a 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 recommended tools for this project:
1 x safety glasses!!
1 x soldering iron
1 x glue gun
1 x wire strippers
1 x side cutter
1 x scissors, knife, x-acto, etc
I recommend you to take the time to read this entire instructable before starting. In every page I have added a lot of pictures, so don't forget to look.
Items for the robot:
2 x 1,5V motors
2 x SPDT ( single pole double throw ) switches with a metal lever
2 x AA or AAA battery
2 x Terminal connector ( see picture )
1 x AA or AAA battery holder
1 x Plastic or wooden pearl ( Spherical bead )
1 x 1 inch x 3 inch piece of metal or aluminum
1 x Toggle switch for the on/off switchs
Paper clips big and small
2 feets of wires around 22/24 Gauge size
Heat shrink that will fit over the motor shaft and some that will fit over the terminal connector
Electric tape and masking tape
Items for the body shell :
Round plastic lid to make the shell of the robot
Some spray can paint, the colour you want.
Clear varnish
Autobody filler putty or epoxy glue
2 x Small magnets to attach shell to body.
You need some 1,5Volts motor, not 3V or no event 12V!!
Each motors are powered by a single AA battery. You will drain your battery if you use a 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 recommended tools for this project:
1 x safety glasses!!
1 x soldering iron
1 x glue gun
1 x wire strippers
1 x side cutter
1 x scissors, knife, x-acto, etc
I recommend you to take the time to read this entire instructable before starting. In every page I have added a lot of pictures, so don't forget to look.
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i cant find them anywhere!!
I made this robot and I bought all the stuff for it, included a 1.5 volts motor, but that is not strong enough ( by mine robot) Is it possible to make it work with more power? without spending more money?
here some pics:
my both motors stop working when i press even 1 of the spdt switches.
and the rotors have a very slow speed