Pocket Drunken Robot

Step 6 Enjoy!

If everything is working right all you have to do is put it on a flat surface and let go. It should vibrate around drunkenly and only occasionally fall over. Make several and have a cocktail party! Give them tiny drinks and party hats. (Optional)

If you would like to carry a few with you take an old dental floss box, open it up, pull out the spindle and line the inside with craft foam. Holds two. (An Altoids tin will hold a full party.)

If you want to keep your robots ready for instant action, slide a piece of paper between the top of the battery and the motor lead. Pull it out when you're ready to see them go.

Troubleshooting

It doesn't go at all.

• First be sure that the motor leads are touching the things they need to touch, and only those things. One should be touching the top of the battery and the other should be firmly pressed against our tin framework.
• Check for shorts. Make sure that the only bit of metal touching the top of the battery is
• Make sure that there is nothing keeping the weight at the top from spinning.

It falls over more than I'd like.
There are several ways you can counteract this.

• Bend the motor back towards the center of the battery so its center of gravity is more in the middle.
• Bend down the corners of the "front" of bottom platform.
• It might be too vigorous, you can try letting the battery run down a bit so it doesn't jump as much.
• Try a different surface. I found that a pad of paper was the most reliable. On a harder surface they'll bounce easier.
• Get out a file and remove some of the weight from the top of the motor.

It falls over less than I'd like or doesn't act very drunkenly.

• Give it a double whiskey neat and wait 10 minutes.
• You might be using an underpowered battery., especially if you're using a bigger motor. Try a fresh battery or a more powerful cell. (If you use a different battery you'll need to rework the tin holder.
• Make sure the motor isn't shaking lose. If it is, a dab of glue or tape can take care of your troubles.

Comments

[79spitfire]

I found that taping or gluing a penny to the bottom can help with excessively "drunk" robots that won't stay up!

[Grathio]

This is a really great tip!  We did this for our small party of drunk robots for Maker Faire (on your suggestion!) and it let us do other things besides helping face-down drunk robots.  They spin around extra crazy, but they fall over a lot less.

It's a great idea!  Thanks for sharing.  (Your Master of Drunken Robots patch is on the way!)

[79spitfire]

Your welcome

[Paintballer98]

this is awesome im going to try and build this, where did you get your motor from though?

[Grathio]

Wow, looks like both resellers stopped carrying it. The exact motor is available here. (Assuming that it matches the photo.)  You can use others but they'll likely require soldering. Good luck!

[1m2i3k4e5]

WOW COOL