Your first real robot the easy way, learn all the basics while at it :)

This tutorial is the easiest way in the world to give you a fast start into building robots.

And so, it is very easy!

This is an updated version, the original can be found here: The original instructions

Welcome :)

Everything here is so easy, that after you have gone through it, you can make a robot in a couple of hours. Why cant you do that now?

Because there are so many little things you need to know. This is an attempt to let you know excactly all these little things, and nothing more. Fast, and based on 2 years of experience of what people need to know to get started. If you hurry, you can run through this, and be robot builder in a couple of hours. But expect to use a good weekend - Learning takes time - even though it is very easy, it just takes some time, all the little things to get to know :)

There are other "How to get started building robots" out there. This one is focusing on getting you around everything extremely fast. You need no knowledge of .. anything. And you will learn everything.. well, the basics of everything ;)

All images in high-res here.


(Sorry for the music, it was an option in Youtube to add it - I did not in the next one ;)



 

Step 1 Materials needed

It used to be a hassle to buy the materials, because not one single webshop was carrying everthing needed, and you had to buy from several shops.

Good news is that LMR have started a cooperation with Solarbotics, so you can buy a complete bundle with everything needed.

All info on how to buy this bundle on http://letsmakerobots.com/start

No matter from where you get it, the following is what you will need
 

Comments

[magicthegathering]

This is really cool. Thank you for adding this. Will the store(solarbotics) be getting your kit in stock any time soon? I was also wondering if this kit is RoHS compliant? Thanks.

[null]

where do i find these?

[null]

where do i find these?

[pbebergal]

I have wanted to build a robot like this for a long time, but I have been putting it off because of all the support behind Arduino. Would it be possible to get advice on how to build this same robot, but with an Arduino. It seems like I am going to invest in a microcontroller, I should do so with something that I am more likey going to do more with besides the bot... any suggestions? I am not dissing Pic, just so much maker momentum seems to be with Arduino...

[doncrush]

Check out Scratch for Arduino!

[fritsl]

I always wanted to do this walkthrough with an Arduino based setup, as a parallel, so people could chose.

However, things are just that more "complex" with Arduino. One line of code makes a servo go to a direction with Picaxe. And that is even one simple and logic line of code, that your dog can understand:

servo 1, 150

With Arduino, you'd have to upload a library first, and then deal with many lines of hard-to explain-for-the-novice-code and syntax.

- For doing the excact same thing. And that's just the servo, things just get so much hairier. I want people to get a good start, not to meet a wall.

But I like Arduino, and every now and then I think about how to present it as "your first project", in the spirit of the walkthrough above. I Just have not found a way yet :)

There are, however, tons of walkthroughs on how to get started with Arduino. I am just focusing on how to get started building robots here. And for that purpose, I have chosen the components listed, because I believe they are the best mix for a starter who wants to dive in to fun-zone right away :)

[RoboZek]

I have had experience with Parallax's Basic Stamp board. As you said with Pic, it takes only a line of code for a servo to go in a direction. Same with Basic Stamp, it doesn't require much more then pic, PULSIN 1, 150. I believe that is the right way to write it. I haven't used it in awhile. But Basic Stamp can be very easy.

http://www.parallax.com/

You can go here to find more about it.

I never have used Picaxe or Arduino before. I hope to use both.

This is still very good.

[pbebergal]

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Do you think Picaxe is the way to get started with Microcontrollers in general?

[Captain_Nemo]

You could also put a 5v voltage regulator on it and use 6 rechargeable batteries, you would get 5v and for a longer time because you could use more batteries.

[fatboysoccer]

you are a genius. you make robotics easy to understand. thank you

[sci4me]

Not that your robots not good (i actually luv it) but i think i can make an easier and cooler one. 1 rc car and 1 picaxe 08 motor controller board. Thats Practicelly all it takes. And sensors for a good and cool robot. Nice job though.

[Raziel7]

could you give me the artist's name who sings the song in part 1 of your instructional video?

I tried looking it up on Google and there are people in forums wondering the same thing (they heard it on a you tube video) but no answers so far.

Great song and great video

[macman808]

can i use an ultrasonic range finder instead of the sharp, without having to change the program?

[punit113]

wow,its ousom,great

[ralph notarte]

how to do that?????

[account3r2]

Yeah! Mario Bros!

[Johnny Rex]

fritsl, i need help, im 12 years old and very smart, i bought the robot and put it together but im having trouble programming it, sometimes when i type in engine codes like: high 4 low 5 high 6 low 7 i hear the engines moving but the wheels arent, the wheels arent touching anything either. ill try recharging the batteries but dont think thats it. Plz respond, i need help and this was a pretty decent investment for me. all i have left to do is figure out the right engine codes and ill be done completely, unless the wheels wont turn like now. THANKS!! and to all who are wondering if they should uy this I RECCOMEND IT!!! =]

[tanmanknex]

Did you think about putting the "head" on the back of the robot facing forward? That should give you enough space so that it won't freak out when something's close, shouldn't it?

[fritsl]

If you are thinking about the "dead zone" within 10 CM's in front of the Sharp, you are absolutely right!

[tanmanknex]

Cool, it's not very often that that happens. ;)

[Amuraxis]

Very well presented and detailed instructable, can't wait for payday to make this badboy

5*'s

[Kryptonite]

Yay! The kit's on sale!

...damn.... bit expensive. Looks like I'll have to save up!

[alex_shoal]

 good job.

[Arbitror]

Hey, you should sell kits here on Instructables:

http://www.instructables.com/community?categoryGroup=marketplace&category=kits

[Kryptonite]

Agreed!

[Pkranger88]

Great job, with one caviat though.  If you use a lighter to activate heat shrink tubing, you need to keep the flame from having too much direct contact with the tubing.  A heat gun, or a hair dryer, works better and is more appropriate anyway.  I've caught heat shrink on fire before by using a lighter. 

[Kryptonite]

Once you get the hang of it it's not too hard, as you probably know.

[fritsl]

I do not agree with you, but thanks for the points, now people can try both ways :)

[Pkranger88]

I'm sorry you don't agree, but you admitted yourself, that you burnt the wires.  You can deny reality all you want but eventually it bites you in the butt.   Good luck.

[DabeAltis]

Pkranger88, Your opinion may be based on the type of heat shrink tubing you are using.  There are several types of heat shrink tubing available, and they are not all created equally.  One of my favorites is polyolefin.  I personally use heat shrink tubing almost every day of my life, and have done so since the early 80's.  I carry a Bic lighter for that explicit purpose.  While in some cases a heat gun is more appropriate, in many cases it is not.  Your version of "reality" does not necessarily coincide with someone else's.  In my experience and my "reality" you'd have to be a real dunce to catch good quality shrink tubing on fire!  The fact that the author disagrees with you doesn't indicate a denial of reality.  It may simply indicate a difference in experience and or skill level.  Good luck to you as well.

[amando96]

Most heat shrink tubes are flame retardant anyway, I usually use my soldering iron to shrink them.

[Grooby]

I think "Wholes" is should to be "Holes"

[dabode]

very nicely done. was easy for me to understand and get motivated...thanks so much this sure explains what I needed to know...

[amando96]

 Cool, very detailed, didn't know you had an account here!

[fritsl]

Thanks. Well, frankly, this is not where I hang out, though it is a cool site - However, I am mostly here to spread the word though :) My friends are on LMR.

[fritsl]

LMR = Let's Make Robots -> letsmakerobots.com

[ritchie56]

awesome instructable! ...and I like your Seiko databank watch!

[fritsl]

THANK YOU! :) Finally someone notice it! Up to 25 phone numbers, calculator and a tilt-sensitive light-switch!

it is a Casio though, but hey ;) Just about the only cool thing from the 80'ies, that watch :)

[tech123456789]

 I finally made this robot and it worked.

 But why did you make another instuctable for this robot?
 

[fritsl]

Cool that you did! You should post a video of it :) What is your next step?

I made the original instructions more than 2 years ago. it has since become the most popular way of getting into building robots in the world, according to Google.

I think thousands have build this project, and on my own page, I have had hundreds of questions.

All this lead to tons of experience; What do people understand, what is easy, what are the common mistakes etc. So, I made a version 2, based on all this experience, and now I for sure can say that this must be the worlds easiest way of getting into building robots, if you are not just buying a kit, and the robot is "real", a programmable device that can act autonomously, expand etc.

I left the old instructable, in order not to break thousands of links out there, but in it, i have now linked to this one, the updated version.