How to make a robot?

Question

i decided i don't like to build things with work.but i luv the computer and programming things so i decideed i wanted to make a robot.i am only 12 yrs old here.so it will be hard, but i am determined.wat i need is instructions on how to make a roobot that can do htings on it's own and it not nesseccary fly,but float.any ideas.i know it sounds crazy to be hearing this from a 12 yr old but im serious.plzzzz help me. and no crappy instructions.

Answer 1

This may get you started...

http://www.robotics.com/arobot/build.html

Answer 2

Hi there .. first of all .. this is not crazy or anything .. i would say it's really cool u have such a gr8 idea in your mind .. ok Guess what .. i am a computer teacher who is supervising on a group of students who r choosen for Robotics class :D .. there is special kits u should buy to be able to make your oun robot .. or at list a simple one that could move around without bumping in other things ..
The one we r using is for kids in grades 8 and above .. there is almost the same kit that will let u get started very well .. u can get that from LEGO .. yes the lego that kids play with .. but with a bord and a program that will let u control the robot ..

I will have to get back to you on that .. Please IM me and i will talk in more details about it ..

by the ways .. i know u r only 12 .. so if your parents wants to talk to me so that we could then talk .. i have no problem with that ..

Dont let anything stop you ..
take care

Answer 3

First you will need to decide all the functions you want it to perform. Form follows functionality.

On floating, it really depends on if you are wanting it to float free, or to hover like a hovercraft. If you are looking for the hovercraft variety then you will simply need to build a platform with a shroud and some fans blowing down into the shroud area. This link gives a simple hovercraft design http://amasci.com/amateur/hovercft.html .

If you are wanting it to float free it makes it a bit harder. You will need to be sure the distribute weight equally accross the robot and create enough downward momentum from fans to provide lift. The amount of power required from your fans will vary depending on the weight of your robot. The heavier it is, the more downward momentum required.

http://www.gorobotics.net/Articles/Robots/How-To-Build-A-Simple-Robot/ has some ideas on how to make a simple robot. You are going to need to do some research. First I suggest you figure out what kind of functions you want your robot to be able to perform. After that just start looking on the web for different designs and ideas on how to create that functionality.

Answer 4

I think this is a great question! I build robots for a living and I know where you're coming from. I'll help u the best I can, but you'll have to be patient with yourself because it takes time to learn the technologies that are already out there and takes even more time to think of new technologies.

First of all, try learning how to make a robot that does a simple... little task... then add to it. You're probably not going to have a flying robot with reasoning capabilities for a very, very long time, if ever at all.

BASICS OF ROBOTICS:

The basics of robotics are "inputs" and "outputs". An input is a signal that is sent back to the robots brain, and an output is a signal sent from the brain to make the robot do something. The brain of a robot is a PLC (Programable Logic Control). You need to look up PLCs on the internet and learn everything about them u can. A simple PLC has one row of connections for inputs and one row for outputs. The PLC is programmed by a simple computer program called "Ladder Logic". Ladder logic is a like a line by line computer progam where you can tell the PLC "If input A is on, then turn on output B".

A VERY SIMPLE ROBOT:

A very simple robot might be one that takes a piece of toast from a toaster, then drops it on a plate. To accomplish this, you'll need an input switch from the toaster that tells the PLC when the toaster pops up. We'll call that input X1. The robot will have two possible outputs. One will open and close it's grippers and the other will cause the arm to swing over a plate. They will be called Y1 and Y2. We will also need an input for the gripper and the arm, to let the robot know when the gripper is closed/open and if the arm is over the toaster or the plate. These well be called inputs X2 and X3. To make robots move, you use various types of cylinders and motors. The gripper and the arm are basically cylinders that are either on or off, depending on their position.

When input X1 (toaster is up) is on, the PLC starts its program. It will check to see if input X2 is on (arm is above toaster). If not, it will turn output Y2 (move arm over toaster) until it sees X2 (arm is over toaster) is on. Then it will turn on output Y1 (close gripper) to close the gripper. When it sees input Y1 (gripper is closed), it will turn off output Y2 (move arm over toaster) so that the arm moves away from the toaster and over a plate. When it sees that input X2 (arm is above toaster) is off, it knows that the arm must be over the plate and it's safe to drop the toast. Then the robot will turn off output Y1 (close gripper) to make the gripper open and thus drop the toast.

As you can see... it's rather difficult getting started in robotics, just to complete a simple task. But when you get the initiative to start small and build your way up, you will be doing really cool stuff by adding to this concept step by step.

CONCLUSION:

You originally mentioned that you wanted a robot so you wouldn't have to work... Well, robots will accomplish many tasks for you. I build robots that place and remove parts from a plastics molding machine. The concept of what is do is very much like the toaster robot example above. It saves my company a ton of money because it does the work of 3 people, much faster, and is consistent in it's speed. Likewise, it's much safer because it can install and remove parts that are extremely hot or in in dangerous places that could risk a humans safety.

But, I wouldn't say that It's allowed me not to work... and nor will it for you, if you're serious about building an extensive robot. It will take you hours of study and trouble shooting. It's not necessarily laborious work, but you'll have to exercise your brain to learn new concepts in mathmatics and programming. Try to learn all you can while you're young and plan on going to good college that offers a degree program in robotics.

If you focus on this path and stay on it with drive and passion. I'm confident that you will someday be the guy who develops my personal butler robot with full reasoning capablities... So I challenge you to stick with your dream and thank you in advance for all the cool stuff you're going to eventually do for me and my family! :)

Good luck!

Answer 5

I started making a robot when I was 12 also!

I reccomend you to start witk a LOGO language first. It's so easy to learn. Try Yahoo!ing for it.