Modifying an iRobot Create to Paint

Step 2 Modify it to Apply Paint

The robot needs to be able to hold a variety of different paint appliers, as well as pencils, markers, or whatever else you would want to make art with. This presented a variety of challenges, but I think my system resolves most of them quite well. Two wooden arms are attached to the top of the robot, and hinges hold a clip at the end of each. This way the arms can be as far apart or close together as they need to be (they swivel at the point of attachment to the robot, and, once set, that screw can be tightened to keep them more solid, or left a bit looser so the brush can swing at bit as the robot turns.) The hinges allow the clips to always point right at each other or at any other angle necessary to hold the brush, which wouldn't be possible if the clips were screwed directly to the arms. The paint needs to be supplied steadily to the brush, so I added an upper deck to hold a funnel, and paint runs down a tube to drip out right in front the brush. The brush spreads it as the robot moves. You can choose a different size of tubing to supply a different amount of paint, or adjust the speed the robot moves if you don't like the line you're getting. The shrink tubing holds the vinyl tube and funnel together, makes it easy to clean, and allows it to just drop into the top platform. It's a fairly simple assembly, and has held up well through a lot of paintings.


Cut the lumber into 2 7" long pieces.
Drill a hole (the long way) one inch from the end of each piece.
On the other end, drill pilot holes to attach the hinges.
Paint these pieces white (if that's what you're into.)
Once dry, screw the hinges onto the ends.
Then, on the other side of the hinge, attach a clip with a screw and nut. Most clips like those shown come with a hole (even if it's covered with plastic) but you might have to enlarge it a bit. This will work, I promise.
Use a 2 inch screw through the hole on the other end into the furthest back pair of holes on the top surface of the robot.


Cut the plastic sheet based on the pattern in the images. I used heavy duty (these will cut a penny!) style scissors, but I'm sure most plastics can be cut with a utility knife or, if you feel like splurging, have it laser cut from acrylic.


Screw a nut 3/4 inch from one end of each threaded rod. Screw a nut onto the other end about three inches from the end.
Screw the short end of the threaded rods into the holes in the cargo bay, up to the nut.
Slide the plastic sheet down 3 inches to the top of the other nuts. You may need to add a second nut on top of the plastic if it's not holding firmly on it's own.


Set your funnel into the opening on the platform.
Measure how much vinyl tube it will take to reach from the bottom of the funnel to just touch the surface below.
Use about an inch of the shrink tubing to attach this tube to the funnel. A heat gun will do this well, but my sister's hairdryer was handy and got the job done. You can use masking tape to do this instead if you'd rather, of if you want to test it before committing.

Whatever you use to paint with (the brush/roller/etc.) will be held in place with the two clips. The tube should sit between the paint applicator and the robot. You may want to tape the tube to the brush if it doesn't stay in place on it's own.


Fill the ketchup bottles with the paint you plan to use. A funnel and ladle (that won't be used with food) come in handy for this. You'll be happy to have such fast paint refill abilities later, and the ketchup action helps fill the tube quickly instead of waiting for paint to run down on it's own.