all 8 comments

[–]kamonohashisan 0 points1 point  (0 children)


I took a freshman level course that used Lego Mindstorms RCX. It was fun, but I think the theory taught in class was much more important. Basically all I learned from the building was that robotics is hard. If you really want to get into robotics look into the theory behind programming robots to operate autonomously and or mechanical and electrical engineering. If you want to do more hands on stuff though I highly recommend using Lego Mindstorms even if they seem expensive 100-300 dollars is cheap compared to a college class. Also if you do get a set be sure to sure to convert the controller module to run on real programming language, my class used NQC but I think I have heard of the newer versions being able to use Python.

[–]samuri1030 0 points1 point  (0 children)


I have been doing robotics since I was 12 and now am a junior in college studying it. I started with Lego Mindstorms because my school had a team. It was amazing. Awesome for learning the basics like gear ratios and basic programming concepts. Then I went into VEX which is my favorite platform to this day. It is overall easy to use but can implement almost anything. But each of these teams had school affiliation. My top recommendation is to find a local team or start one! I doubt a school would say no to helping a kid start a robotics team. You could prbably start for less than $3k which is achievable with small funding and funraisers :)

TL;DR - Start a VEX/FLL team at your school.

[–]cr0sh 0 points1 point  (2 children)


You don't have to spend hundreds, but you may have to spend a little amount of money; then again, if you are really resourceful - you may not have to spend -any- money.

I don't know what you don't know, so I have to assume you know nothing about programming or electronics, or any kind of mechanical engineering. Robotics is one of those subjects that encompasses all of those areas, and then some.

The cheapest to learn (since you already have a computer of some sort) will be programming. For a beginner, for robotics, I would suggest Processing to start off with, and there is a very, very good reason why:

First off - it is essentially a form of C/C++; if you can grok this language, you can figure out anything else you may want to play with later. Furthermore, Processing, coupled with something called Wiring:

...essentially led to this - which I am sure you have heard of:

If you can get your hands on an Arduino, then you can really start your robotics journey - but until then, you can start simpler by learning processing, while also studying how the Arduino is coded and works.

The Arduino "grew up" out of Wiring and Processing; in fact, the IDE of the Arduino system is the same as that used by those projects as well (it's a fork). This has its good and bad points (it's not bad for beginners like yourself, but it causes angst amongst more experienced developers). Just remember both projects (Processing/Wiring and the Arduino) are siblings, so to speak, and share some commonalities - but they are not the same. Also, don't get it in your head (nor let anybody else tell you) that they aren't coded in C/C++ - they most certainly are. Granted, there is a lot of abstraction going on under the hood so to speak to make it simpler for beginners; keep that in mind, too.

Another option might be to go at it "old school" - by this I mean try to acquire an old computer (a 486 or Pentium would work well) with a built-in parallel port, then pick up a first-edition copy of "Robot Builder's Bonanza" by Gordon McComb. You can then easily build a control system that uses the parallel port for communication, and control a robot that way. You can use C/C++ for this, assembler (80x86) or even BASIC if you want (just do everything under DOS - an old copy of MS-DOS 6.22 or FreeDOS is all you need). There are tons of examples out there on how to code for the parallel port using all of those languages, and how to hook up relays or other devices to the parallel port for control, robotics, and other purposes: among a multitude...

So - you can see that even if you can't get an Arduino (or the parts to build one on a breadboard - known as a "standalone" Arduino), you can still do robotics, provided you beg for old junk from neighbors and relatives. I can guarantee you that if you take the time, you can scrounge up an old PC (you may have to make some effort to get it working - be sure to clean it up inside and out, and test it well before jumping in).

Once you have that, then you need to get parts - and tools. For tools, you're going to want a multimeter first and foremost. A cheap one can be had for a few dollars at many discount tool suppliers. Secondly, you are going to want a soldering iron. You'll also want to get yourself a solderless breadboard, and finally, some kind of a power supply (batteries will work short term for most things, but a real power supply is worth the effort and/or money).

For the power supply - look into using an old PC power supply (plenty of tutorials online on how to convert one for hobby electronics use). It isn't ideal, but when you have no other options, it isn't a bad one, either.

(to be continued)

[–]Waywoah[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Thank you, no offense to the other commentators but this is the best yet

[–]cr0sh 0 points1 point  (0 children)



Now - the reason you need a soldering iron, is because you are going to need to get parts, and you are going to need to learn how to solder parts. So - for that - scrounge around again for junk electronics. Don't be afraid to dig in trash for such stuff, ask friends, neighbors, etc for old electronic junk. Don't worry about if it is broken, you're going to break it more!

Look up tutorials online on how to remove parts from this junk (you may need other tools for this - old dental picks, desoldering braid, plus a desoldering pump), and also learn how to make a good solder joint with the same parts. Learn how to tin wires, and solder them in place. Above all, practice, practice, and practice some more. Your goal is simply learning - if you burn junk, just keep trying until you get it right. Eventually, you learn how to get a feel for it, and it will become second nature.

At that point - you can start to collect parts from equipment, and build up a collection of electronic components. Learn to read and understand what the parts are, so you can say to yourself "Yep, that is likely a transistor - and wow, there's some nice electrolytic caps, etc".

Now for your first robot platform; again, that book I mentioned by Gordon McComb will come in really handy. Also, you might ask your friends/family/relatives/neighbors if they have any junk toy R/C cars they want to get rid of - because that is what you'll want to use (if you can't find a good one that way, then another way might by via a thrift store, like Goodwill). Most of these toys make excellent robot platforms; just make sure the wheels roll well, and the motors are in good condition, etc. In other words, broke as a toy, but not broke for a robot platform.

Ok - that should give you an idea of where to go; I could go on and on and on, and write an entire book on the subject - but there are plenty of books out there on the subject, and plenty of websites and other places dedicated to the subject as well. So start educating yourself; you have at hand the greatest resource of all of mankind - the internet (you really don't know how lucky you are kid - the internet was only something I could dream about having access to; for me, it was the library, a card catalog, and whatever I could scrounge off of local BBS's at 300 baud).

Good luck, and have fun.

[–]The-Magic-Sword 1 point2 points  (0 children)


see if you can find a local FIRST Robotics team, it's a great experience

[–]i-make-robots 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Start with a sketchbook. Draw your robot plans. You need to be able to explain to other people what parts you are looking for and how all the parts will fit together. This will help you find the gotchas before you spend any money on parts and later if you make a hit you have paperwork for your patent ready to go.

A multimeter < calipers < Soldering iron < wire cutter/stripper < a good pair of pliers.

Off the shelf parts are better than dumpster diving - imagine being at a competition when that part you can't replace breaks. Also after you win you want to be able to sell your robot design, right?

I agree, in principle, with everything cr0sh said.

[–]rozgo 0 points1 point  (0 children)


Http:// a robots crafting sandbox