Nov.3, 2014

While hi-spec robots like ASIMO capture the public's imagination, they're out of reach for the average consumer, costing millions. As the 'maker revolution' rolls forward, more people will want to build and customise their own bots rather than receive expensive, pre-packaged models that predict customer needs rather than mould around them.

3D printing democratizes the manufacturing process, allowing lots of people to collaborate on bots over the internet at a fraction of the cost. According to Brighton, UK based Maker Club, a platform & community for 3D Printed robots, the 'home robot revolution' is coming. Maker Club has just launched the first batch of it's robots on crowdfunding site, Indiegogo.

Maker Club intends to lead people through the process with an online learning platform partnered with hands-on projects. The robots are controlled through a smartphone app and an Arudino-based chip of their own design, the MakerConnect, which sends control messages over Bluetooth, this is open for anyone to use and implement in their own projects for free.

"Getting people to understand robots is really important, especially as they become more common, the first step is to understand how they work.", says founder and CEO of Maker Club, Simon Riley, " At the moment, it kind of feels like the perfect storm for home robotics. Affordable electronic components and 3D printers, mean anyone can create things for tens of pounds rather than thousands. They just need to be led through the process."

How does it work? First of all, choose your favorite robot from Maker Club's collection, see image below. Maker Club will then send you the components and 3D CAD designs of your bot. The robots are made with interchangeable components and are ready to build straight from the box, or directly from your 3D printer. If you haven't got a 3D printer, Maker Club will print and send 3D printed parts to you. After receiving your package, you can use their intuitive step-by-step tutorials to put together your bot and you'll earn points as you build. Next, connect your bot with the Maker Club app and you will be able to wireless control your creations. By build the robot you can learn all the skills to design and construct your own.

"Our kits use the same components that the professionals use to prototype their hardware. This means that once young makers have gotten to grips with our robots, they can start using the thousands of commercially available sensors and outputs to prototype their own inventions!" notes Maker Club.

Carduino

Quadmonster

Insectoid

The Grabber

Aimed at the home and educational market, Maker Club is already well on it's way to hitting its funding target with 32 days to go. But, for this ambitious start up, it's just the beginning. Maker Club foresee a future where everyday robots like, vacuum cleaners, educational toys and 'home hacks' are not bought in stores, but printed out at home to fulfill specific individual needs.

With the learning of code now compulsory in UK schools and the maker movement gathering pace across the US, it won't be long until robot building is common place, with it's cross-curricular nature is deemed the right fit for educating the next generation - be prepared for the bots, they're coming!





Posted in 3D Printing Applications

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