A tantalizing look at hobby robotics
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Scorch
Scorch
As roboticist Jeff Clayton explains “Robotics lets you flex the intellect muscle while allowing you to be as creative as you can be.” There are guilds and groups dedicated to hobby robotics, where beginners can learn and hobbyists test their robots against each other. All in all, robotics looks like a fairly easy hobby to get into. Here is a look at hobby robotics to get your creativity flowing.
Jeff Clayton’s Scorch is built on a Tyco scorcher base. Scorch uses sonar and infra-red ranging.
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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Scorch top
Scorch top
Jeff Clayton designed Scorch himself, adding components as he went along. Scorch is designed for speed.
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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Sipoc front
Sipoc front
Sipoc is another of Jeff Clayton’s creations. This robot is built on a CD jewel case, illustrating that robotics doesn’t have to be expensive.
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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Sipoc side
Sipoc side
Sipoc is small, and is programmed using Visual Basic.
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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LIRP
LIRP
LIRP (light indicated robotic platform) features LED indicators for each sensor. LIRP is designed to follow walls and avoid collision.
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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LIRP components
LIRP components
A close up of LIRP’s components. The LED program runs separate from the main program.
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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OOPIC Snake
OOPIC Snake
The OOPIC Snake project was a study in sinusoidal locomotion. The snake had to move forward without moving laterally.
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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OOPIC snake face
OOPIC snake face
The OOPIC and sensors are in the head, the battery is in the tail. Creator Jeff Clayton explains that the programming for the OOPIC snake is the most complex robotics programming that he has done (to date).
Photo credit: Jeff Clayton
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Legs
Legs
LEGO robots are popular because convenient kits are available that still allow the engineer to add his own parts. Legs is a hexapod walker Lego robot created by Ben Axelrod.
Photo credit: Ben Axelrod
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Turn Bot
Turn Bot
A LEGO robot designed to move, this bot can sense when the wheels are straight.
Photo credit: Ben Axelrod
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Robo Snake
Robo Snake
A LEGO robot with five sections. The LED eyes are home-built.
Photo credit: Ben Axelrod
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Robotnik
Robotnik
Robotnik has home-built infrared proximity detectors and four-wheel steering.
Photo credit: Ben Axelrod
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Accelerometer
Accelerometer
Ben Axelrod’s Accelerometer is a simple pendulum accelerator.
Photo credit: Ben Axelrod
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Suckmaster 2000
Suckmaster 2000
Dale Heatherington created the Suckmaster 2000 vacuum robot using a Eureka Boss Light mini vacuum. Why spend hundreds on a Roomba when you can design your own robot for housework?
Photo credit: Dale Heatherington
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ROBOR
ROBOR
ROBOR is an autonomous mini sumo contest contender.
Photo credit: Dale Heatherington
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PolyMax 9000
PolyMax 9000
This robot is designed to compete in the Atlanta Hobby Robot Club’s polyathlon. The PolyMax 9000 can perform simple and advanced line following, beacon killer with and without obstacles, navigation by dead reckoning, and bulldozer.
Photo credit: Dale Heatherington
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Overthruster 30#
Overthruster 30#
A combat robot designed to compete in DragonCon robot battles.
Photo credit: Dale Heatherington
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Scary-Go-Round
Scary-Go-Round
Designed as a combat bot to spin and wield weapons, Dale Heatherington’s Scary-Go-Round is remote controlled and can move directionally while spinning.
Photo credit: Dale Heatherington
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Thrasher
Thrasher
An ant weight combat bot with a vertical spinner.
Photo credit: Dale Heatherington
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Amdroid-A
Amdroid-A
Amdroid-A is an ant weight battle bot that beats opponents by pushing them into arena hazards.
Photo credit: Dale Heatherington
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