Robotics

Making a robot can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s the perfect combination of creativity, engineering and problem solving. However, if you’re just getting started in robotics, it can also be overwhelming. To make things easier for those who are just starting out, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help makers bring robots to life! From the basics of assembling your robot to software implementation, these pointers will give you everything you need to get started on your robotic adventure!

I just wish they hadn’t called it “RoboClam”

I just wish they hadn’t called it “RoboClam”

Details about the device itself are scanty, other than that the clam-sized machine shown in the photo “is supported by a large apparatus of pressure regulators, pistons and more that control such things as how hard the robot is pushed in each direction.” Which leads me to speculate that the prototype, as shown, is unpowered and operated remotely by pneumatics or hydraulics. They’re envisioning applications as a lightweight anchor that could burrow into or out of a sea- or lakebed on command.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan2
Robots, part III

Robots, part III

Stunning photos from Boston.com – Robots, part III Robots continue to grow in their importance amongst law enforcement, military use, medical research and care, space exploration and entertainment, among other tasks. Robots recently in the news include Russia’s decades-old Lunokhod rovers – recently photographed from Lunar orbit, the naming of “Curiosity”, NASA’s next Mars rover, […]

Continue Reading Phillip Torrone

Spiderbot walking mechanism

I love this spider-like walking mechanism, spotted on the MAKE Flickr pool. Here are some of the deets: The walking action uses the Klann linkage, specifically, configuration E006. The motors are Solarbotics GM17, from Technobots, which will generate a decent torque from 5v upwards, and a nice scurry at 12v. Pivot bolts are all M3x10 […]

Continue Reading Gareth Branwyn8
Make: Robot Build, Dispatch #2

Make: Robot Build, Dispatch #2

We’re gearing up (gawd, we have got to stop using that!) for the launch of the Make: Robot Build. We sent Dispatch #2 of the project newsletter out today. We have nearly 400 people signed up and we’re already starting to hear people’s ideas for the build. We’re psyched! Starting next week, we’ll get into […]

Continue Reading Gareth Branwyn

Roomba-bashing for bot parts

Dino, of Dinofab, has been getting cheap Roombas off of eBay (as low as $20) and using their parts to make other bots, like this “RoverBot” above. I found the motors in the Roomba to be very user friendly. The have a belt driven planetary gear reduction transmission that provides very high torque and they […]

Continue Reading Gareth Branwyn