This post is for people especially beginners and kids who are getting started with robotics; nice and easy robotics for beginners post. In this robotics tutorial, we will guide you through the basics of ‘Robotics for Beginners’ and you will learn how to how to Make a Robot for Kids easily.

Getting Started with Robotics for Beginners and Kids

In this post, we will explain – What is a Robot, How to Build a Robot for Beginners, different parts of a Robot, how to make a robot for kids, what are the things to be taken care to get the best robot kit for kids, choosing the best battery for the robot, choosing the best microcontroller for the robot and in the end, you will build your own robot. Let’s get started.

How to Make a Robot for Kids?

Before answering ‘How to Build a Robot for Beginners?’, There is another thing you should know; another question you should answer first – ‘What is a robot?’ A robot is simply an electromechanical device which will sense its environment, process it, takes a decision by itself and reacts to its environment without manual intervention.

Robotics for Beginners Video Guide – How to Make a Robot for Kids?

What are the Parts of a Robot?

As this is a Robotics for Beginners Guide, I will try to make it as simple as possible. To make it more understandable, imagine a robot is like any other organism; like a human being.

We have sense organs. We see things with our eyes. We hear things with our ears, feel things with our skin, taste with our tongue and smell with our nose. Our neurons transmit the signals from our sensors to our brain where we process them. Our brain process the signal, takes a decision and send the signal to our muscles to move your hands, legs or do whatever you want. Then we have a heart that circulates blood, supply oxygen, provides energy for the working of your entire system. Then we have a body, where the sensors, muscles, heart, veins and all other parts are neatly ‘assembled’.

This is the same as in the case of a robot.

1. The Robot Chassis – The Body of the Robot

A robot has a chassis/ robot frame; which is similar to our body. A-frame that will support the whole robot. A system which is having enough space and is capable of handling the weight of all the sensors, power source, and all the cables used in the robot.

2. Sensors – The Sense Organs

Basically, sensors are specially designed devices or objects that will detect the properties, events, or changes in the environment, and then provide a corresponding signal. They are one of the crucial instruments which will bridge the physical and electronic world. There are different types of Sensors.

A robot has sensors; sensors such as IR sensors, which will sense infrared rays, ultrasonic sensors to sense ultrasonic waves, heat sensors to sense temperature, a pressure sensor to sense touch/pressure and so much more.

3. The Brain

So we now have all the data from the sensor. What to do with this sensor data? We need to process it. For that, we will have a processing unit. Normally, we will use a logic circuit.

This can be a simple circuit consisting of resistors, capacitors, transistors to perform simple logical decisions or a microcontroller such as an Arduino or PIC that can perform complex calculations. That depends upon the complexity of your robot.

Arduino and Raspberry Pi are the most commonly used controllers in the field of Robotics.

Arduino is simply an open-source base employing easy to use microcontroller boards with simple programming technique. Combining the power of strong microcontrollers and user-friendly IDEs which can be used to write and upload programs, which runs on your computers, less price, and less power consumption, it is effectively used in various industries, robotics, and home automation projects.

Raspberry Pi is a small credit card sized, lightweight and compact computer which is used by both professions and hobbyist alike. This mini computer can do (almost) anything a normal Linux machine can do. It is widely used in various industries, robotics, home automation projects.

4. Muscles – The Actuators (Motors and other moving parts)

Once the signals are being processed, the result/reaction will be sent to the actuators. Actuators can be any electromechanical device such as motors that will move the motor, or servo motors that will lift the hand; or anything.

Motors are one of the most commonly used actuators used in robots. This is also the best actuator from where kids can start learning about the programming and moving their first robot.

Before going further with Robotics for Beginners, let us take a look at one of the most commonly used actuator – The Motor.

There are mainly 3 types of Motors

DC Motor

Servo Motor

Stepper Motor

DC Motors are simple motors that have 2 terminals – one negative and one positive terminal. The speed of DC motors varies from the motor to motor and depends on the operating voltage and number of turns. One thing to notice here is, it is possible to change the direction of rotation of DC motor by reversing the polarity of the voltage provided at the terminals of the DC motor. For that, we can use an H Bridge circuit such as an L293D motor driver or other similar H Bridge circuit. They are widely used for driving wheels in a robot.

Servo Motors are compact and electronically controlled motors with +/-90 degree rotation. However, modifications can be made to get a complete 360-degree rotation. They are used in places where we need precise control over the movement such as robot hands, turrets, etc. There are 3 terminals to the servo motor.

+ve – 5V

-ve – Gnd

Signal – PWM Signal

It is this PWM signal that determines the angle at which the servo motors should rotate.

Stepper Motors are basically DC motors that rotates in a step by step manner. Inside the stepper motor, the coils are wound in a specific pattern called phase. By energizing each coil seperately, we can precisely control the position and movement of the motor shaft. They are widely used in 3D printers.

5. Heart – The Battery

Now we almost have everything we need now. All we need is a power source. A power source that can provide enough energy to power up all the sensors, motors and the microcontroller. For that, we will use a current source such as a battery or a power adapter.

A Small Example of a Robot – Robotics for Beginners

As this is a Robotics for Beginners Guide, I will try to explain everything with an example. Consider this line follower robot using Arduino. This robot uses IR sensors to detect the track and use motors to move around depending upon the color of the track. Here,

IR sensor is the Sensor

Arduino is the Brain

Motors are the Muscles

LiPo Battery is the Heart

Robot Chassis the Body

Using all these parts, the robot senses the path, takes a decision on its own, and reacts to its environment by moving only through the black path.

Robotics for Beginners

Now How to Make a Robot for Kids?

So once again we are back with the same question. How to make a robot for kids?

Now you know what all things we need to make make a robot for kids. But there are different types of sensors, motors, batteries, and microcontrollers available in the market. But all of them cannot be used to build a robot you want. For that, you will need a plan for a Robot.

How to Build a Robot for Beginners- Robotics for Beginners

Now, as promised at the beginning of this Robotics for Beginners post, Let us learn how to build a robot.

Step 1 – Plan Your Robot

First, decide what you want to build; a line follower, a pick and place robot or whatever you want. Decide what you want your robot to do.

For example – A Line follower that will follow a path without human intervention.

Step 2 – Know the Inputs

Understand what all are the inputs and outputs. For the robot to do whatever you want it to do, it should get maximum data from the environment, in order to process it. So find out what all things it need to know to perform that particular action.

Sensor output when line is turning Right

Sensor output when line is turning Left

In the case of our line follower, we need something that can sense the color of the path in front of it. For that, you can use an IR sensor or a color sensor.

Step 3 – Processing the Inputs and Decision Making

Once we have collected all the input parameters, we will have to feed it to the Brain for processing. We have to process the inputs and make the robot to make the right decision in various conditions.

In our line follower, we have an Arduino microcontroller board which will act as its brain. The Arduino will read all the inputs from the IR sensors, process it and send the decisions/outputs to the motor driver board which will drive the motor.

Step 4 – The Output

Now the robot knows what to do. Now, all we need is to execute that action. For that, we will use an actuator. An actuator can be an electromechanical device.

In the case of our line follower, when the black line is curved towards left, it should go left.

When the black line turns right, the robot should go right. We have 2 DC motor which will drive the bot.

Step 5 – Power On the Robot

Our robot is almost ready. All you need is a power source to power everything up. Remember, you have to power all the devices including the sensors, microcontroller board, the motor drivers. the motors and all other actuators.

You have to choose the right power source for your robot. Different components have different voltage range for its working; below which it won’t work or above which, it will burn off the component. So choosing the right power source can be a crucial task.

Step 6 – The Robot Chassis

Chassis is a frame where you mount all the parts of a robot together. You can either build one yourself or get one online.

Qualities of a Good Robot Chassis for Kids

Have enough space for all the components

Provide good mechanical support for all the components

Have mounting/screw holes where you can fix all the components in place

Have enough strength to hold the entire weight of the components

Here are some of the best robot chassis which are available online to make your own robot.

Robot Chassis to Build your own Robot

Simple DIY Robots for Beginners

Now you know what a robot is and what are the parts of a robot. Now let’s get practical shall we? As you are all beginners in this field, in this session, I will show you and explain some of the basic, DIY Beginners robots which you can build and learn basic robotics. All of the equipment, tools and components used in these robots are cheap, simple and easily available at online markets. Give it a shot.

1. Line Follower Robot for Beginners

What is Line Follower Robot?

This is the easiest robot you can build for getting started with robotics. This robot uses IR or Infrared Sensor to ‘See’ a line in front of it and follow it automatically without human intervention. These line follower robots can be made with or without using microcontrollers.

How Line Follower Robot Works?

Simple Line follower Robot using IR sensors (mounted on either side of the robot) to sense the line, and uses these signals to drive DC motors using a DC Motor Driver. You can make a Beginners Line Follower with microcontroller or line follower without microcontroller.

What Will I Learn?

Here you will learn how IR sensor works, basic microcontroller coding and how to control DC motors using a motor driver IC.

2. Obstacle Avoidance Robot for Beginners

What is an Obstacle Avoiding Robot?

Obstacle avoidance robot is a simple robot equipped with UltraSonic Sensor which will automatically detect obstacles in front of it and change its direction by itself.

How an Obstacle Avoiding Robot Works?

An obstacle avoiding robot is able to sense whether some object is present in front of it using an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver pair. If there is any obstacle, the ultrasonic waves will hit the obstacle, bounce back and hit the receiver. This signal can be used to change the direction of the robot using DC motors.

What will I Learn?

You will learn to use the Basics of Robotics sensors like UltraSonic Sensors and Several motors such as DC motors and/or Servo Motors.

Remote Controlled Robot for Beginners

What is a Remote Controlled Robot?

Remote controlled robots are those which can be controlled wirelessly using a remote controller. Here we will have a robot part and a remote controller part and the robot can be controlled using the remote controller.

How a Remote Controlled Robot Works?

Working of a Remote Controlled Robot is really simple. Here you will be having two parts – The Robot and the Remote controller. Here we will use a Wireless signal transmitter module in the Remote controller and a Receiver in the Robot. The signal from the remote controller is transmitted directly to the Robot using a Wireless module.

What will I learn?

You will learn the working of Wireless Communication modules such as Bluetooth, HC12, Zigbee etc and apply them to your Robot.

Robot Kits for Kids – Robotics for Beginners

Robot kits are packages that contain all the components (and sometimes tools) that you need to build your own robot from scratch. Robot kits can be really useful for kids and beginners who are getting started with robotics because they don’t have to worry about what all things to buy and how to assemble.

Qualities of Good Robotics Kits for Beginners

It should have all the components you need to build your robots

It should have all the tools you need to assemble them together.

Robot Kit should include a Chassis to mount all the components.

Now you know the qualities of Best Robot Kits for Beginners.

Best Robotics Kits for Beginners

Here are some of the best robotics kits for beginners for you to get started with robotics. These robotics kits are cheap, simple and will give you a kick start in this field.https://rootsaid.com//robotics-kits-beginners/

Advanced Robot Kits for Beginners Online

Here we are presenting you with some cool robot kits which are available online and can be used by beginners, kids as well as experts to build their own robots easily. Links are also provided with the product description which will be redirected to trusted product pages from where you can buy your own robots.

Robotics for Beginners and Kids – Get the Best Robot Kit Online

Want to Build a Robot on Your Own?

Robotics for Beginners

Why not build a robot yourself? We will help whichever way possible. We have a collection of Arduino and Raspberry Pi Robotics Projects in our Project vault. We have a lot of tutorials and an active community to help you build your own robot. We have now started a Whatsapp Group which we will use for discussing and sharing ideas and of course, for helping fellow members with their projects. We will be having hobbyists, enthusiasts, and professionals around the globe who are willing to teach others and share their ideas and experience.

Arduino Robotics for Beginners Projects – Click Here Raspberry Pi Robotics for Beginners Projects – Click Here

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