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Robotics 101 - building a robot -
What is Robotics?
A mix of Mechanics, Electronics, Programming, Arts & Crafts ...
So much of the time the Arts & Crafts are forgotten but they do play a huge role in all robotics.
For those interested to get started it's very easy and affordable.
Learning and playing with robotics doesn't take a rocket scientist because most of what you need has already been invented, designed and developed ...
including the programs to do most things.
So we start off with COTS = Common Off The Shelf ... parts and programs.
First go buy a few things ... spending as little as $110 you can build a very basic robot including Power and ReCharging,
but everything here will be used over and over in other projects.
For the first project you will need;
Two Continuous Rotating Servos ... $26
do a search online and you will find prices range from $13 on up ... I suggest getting the $13 servo motors as these will be used over and over on the different various projects.
example: Parallax.com
Now a µController Board
The Parallax.com HomeWork Board or a BOE ... either works as well as the other.
HomeWork Board (400 for 10 HomeWork Boards)
BUY 10 HomeWorks @ Parallax.com
BOE = Board of Education ($70/BOE)
BUY BOE @ Parallax.com
Some jumper wire for the breaboards if you didn't get
22 guage solid copper wire works great and can be found in multiple colors at your local Radio Shack (pkg of Red, Green and Black about $8)
Now a standard 9V radio battery
Finally ... a small cardboard or stiff-paper box about 50mm(2") wide ... 100mm long and 50mm tall. I like the cheeze boxes because they look more fun.
Now you've spent about $30 but all these materials you will use over and over as you explore your creativity with robotics and automation.
A great resource for good useful parts and more beginner instructions is to start with a simple Parallax.com Boe-Bot ...
I've seen them online for as low as $50 and have bought several just for all the parts!
Check eBay.com for a good old Serial Boe-Bot kit ... Be sure it's the full kit not just a parts kit.
The cheapest BoeBot online after eBay seems to be Carl's Electronics $144 about $15 cheaper than direct buy from Parallax.com
These are great kits and include a comprehensive manual, a BS2 STAMP module and BOE for experiments besides some other very useful and very reusable parts.
If you want to save money learning and experimenting start with the Parallax.com BOE-Bot
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