Introduction: Joe Mama (The Rat) Battle Robot

Who's Joe?

Step 1: Tools & Materials

We will need:

--Materials--

  • 1 square foot of foam core
  • 2 continuous servo motors
  • 1 battery pack that holds 4 AA batteries
  • 4 AA batteries
  • Reciever
  • Wheels
  • Servo motor attachments

--Tools--

  • Hot glue
  • Exacto Knife
  • Solder iron (optional)
  • Small screwdriver (if using servo attachments)

Step 2: Body Design

The design of this robot is very small. In length it is under 6" and the width is under 4". The wedge shape us used so the robot can be flipped and still drive around with ease. It also is used to get under other bots so they can't continue driving. The wheels are at the very back leaving an opening in the back. The whole robot is as small as possible with the components used.

Step 3: Body Construction

Cut two long triangle pieces of foam core for the sides and two rectangular for the top and bottom. These were put together with hot glue and were attached to the electronics, which provide most of the structure. Make sure to leave openings for whatever electronics or switches might need later access. I used electrical tape for a little added structure and looks but it isn't necessary.

Step 4: Electronics Wiring

Every thing feeds into the reciever. Both servos are connected using the pins, and so is the battery pack. It is very simple. You may need to solder the battery pack to the connector used on the reciever.

Step 5: Electronics Placement

The battery pack is the main structure of the robot. The reciever is glued on the backside of and the servos are glued on the end. This alone can function as the robot but it is fragile. It's important to have the servos even and far enough apart that the wheels can go on with ease later.

Step 6: Wheel Mounting

The servos come with plastic attachments that screw on. You can then glue wheels to these because it is a larger surface. I used two different plastic attachments so that the wheels would be far enough from the chassis that the foam core didn't restrict their movement. The MOST IMPORTANT thing is that the wheels' diameter is greater than the robots height, otherwise it will drag.

Step 7: Remote Control

The remote control setup is very simple. It only has two motors so it is completely controlled by one joystick. Make sure the joystick directions are correct for you motors, otherwise you may be steering backwards.

Step 8: Drive

DEMO: