So, you want to build a robot? Don’t we all! I’ve wanted to create robots since I was little. I wish I understood the psychological need here. I think Dr. Soong hit on it a little in the ST:TNG episode Brothers when Data asked him why he was created, but that answer best explains why I had kids, not why I’ve always wanted to build robots.
Below are 7 ways that YOU can create a robot. None of these require a fancy schmancy degree or even any kind of math or programming skills. Most can be done with kids or by kids. Several were done when I was a kid. I’ve done all of these, so they are tested. Even though at least one of them was done nearly 40 years ago (can that be right?).
Disclaimer: I am extremely liberal in my definition of what constitutes a “robot” for the purposes of this article. (Hence no need for math or programming. I’m likely to write another article that gets a little more advanced and will require some skills — but skills that are within reach of anyone with access to the internet and a desire to learn.)
1. Cardboard boxes.
Don’t laugh. I did this as a kid with my friend K when we were in… 3rd grade I believe? I was one of those kids that liked to take apart and hoard electronic components. (Who am I kidding… I’m *still* hoarding anything I think can be repurposed.)
Someone in my family, maybe it was even me, had recently received a birthday card that played Happy Birthday when you opened it! I know these cards are everywhere now, but at the time, this was a new thing. I saved the components that played HB. I think it was a simple switch and speaker.
I don’t quite remember why we decided to do this… but we made a robot out of a couple boxed. I had another real switch from my dad. We used that red switch/button as his nose and “Play it again, Sam!” was born!
I wish I had a picture of “Play it again, Sam!”, but I don’t. We did a lot with cardboard boxes back in the day… including build a computer out of one. This, I have a picture of below. (I know, I know. This is a departure from the topic of robots, but I feel the need to point out that I am of the gimmie-a-good-box-and-I-am-entertained-forever generation, and not a of the photograph-everything-with-the-digital-phone-in-our-pocket generation.)
2. Legos.
This was probably an obvious addition to the list. If it wasn’t, you need more Legos in your life.
It’s also one of the more expensive items on the list if you want to go full out and dive into the Legos that are specifically made for robot building. Lego has a product called Mindstorms that is intended for robotics, but as you can see… it’s on the pricey side for most of us. It also requires a teeny tiny amount of programming – but not much.
But you don’t need the full Lego Mindstorms to use Legos to build a robot. A robot could be a stack of Legos in the right form, but sits on your desk and stares at you longing for a brain.
(Legos can also be used as a chassis for a robot where some other motor or servo can drive it. This is what we did back in the day before Mindstorms existed!)
3. Buy a robot kit!
“But Adeena, if I’m buying something, why don’t I just buy a robot?” Well, you could – but this post is assuming you want the experience of building one. So let’s talk about the kits. It’s another valid way to make a robot, even if a lot of the hard stuff has been figured out and all you’re really doing is proving you can follow instructions. (“If they did the hard stuff, then that should barely count, Adeena,” you say. “Yeah, but I’m the one writing this article,” I respond. “I can make the rules.”)
There is a lot to learn when you build a kit. You get to figure out what each part contributes to the whole. I firmly believe that helps create some understanding. When I was a kid, I was fortunate to be involved in this program at school where we spent a few months in a unit on robots. One of the activities was building kits very similar to the ones below. They were a great way to learn, particularly about how all the servos and gears work to produce movement.
Here are some to look at (note: none of these are affiliate links and I have tried none of these myself):
https://www.robotshop.com/en/robot-kits.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SK5RUQY
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014WO96Y
https://www.fractuslearning.com/educational-fun-robot-kits-for-kids/
https://www.homesciencetools.com/physics-engineering/robotics/
4. 3D print one.
Yes, you’ll need access to a 3D printer. I bought one last year as my first major quarantine purchase. Don’t judge. A lot of you got quarantine chickens.
That said, it’s one of my favorite hobby/maker/creative things and I’m currently (as of August 2021) trying to make a robot with it. A colleague who is also a 3D print nerd turned me on to this site where they sell the files for “print-in-place” things…. including robots. (Note: I have purchased one of the robots, but haven’t had a chance to print it yet!)
Generally, the idea is that you use your 3D printer to print the various components. (Like for this robot arm: https://all3dp.com/2/10-best-robot-arms-to-3d-print-or-buy/ )
Then you buy all the electronics, and voila! It’s similar to the concept of a kit, but a little more involved when you’re compiling all the components yourself. Your mileage might vary.
After I’m done with my current robot project, I’d like to do one of these robot arms too, but then give it some smarts. Then it’ll be like I’m Tony Stark with a robot arm on my table! That I could talk to. And it could help me build more robots… (Don’t laugh… for years I worked on “chat bots”. I do know how to turn my speech to text and write some python that responds well…)
“Wait, Adeena, you’re making a robot? Tell us more!”
I will! All in good time and a future blog post. If you want more details sooner, see the link to join my newsletter on the menu on the left or at the bottom of this post. I’ll give you a hint with these two words: Robot. Cat.
5. Draw some robots.
My own kiddo did this. I love his little robots. Best thing about this one is all you need is a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Maybe you don’t even need that. A piece of chalk and the sideway will do.
Here is some of his handiwork:
And what do you know… there’s even a YouTube video on how to do this:
6. Follow detailed instructions on the internet.
I am so bleeping jealous of kids these days. Back in my day, I had to make a cardboard robot from scratch, with no one to guide me. We made it all up. Well, type in “how to make a robot” in Google and a zillion people have detailed instructions on what to do. Even detailed videos.
We had none of that when I was a kid, and we liked it! Actually, we didn’t like it. At least, I didn’t like it. I was dying for more. I did what I could with what was available to me, but access to information was limited compared to all the easily available information everyone has access to today. Please take advantage of it!
Here are some other links:
https://www.instructables.com/how-to-make-a-very-simple-robot/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/329044316495842642/
7. Write a book.
That’s what I did! *Giggle* Sorry, but I had to sneak in a plug since I’m in the middle of marketing my book, “Crazy Foolish Robots,” which is about, of all things… a lot of robots!
But it’s a valid creative way to make a robot. Imagine one up. Write it down. Give it a name, a description, and viola! You’ve created a robot. Definitely read about my robots: Swell Driver, Detailed Historian and the rest in “Crazy Foolish Robots.” (Available in paperback, Kindle, and KindleUnlimited.)
Know any other creative ways to create a robot? Let me know in the comments section!
Adeena, this is a charming piece. Thank you for sharing!