You know you can make robots at home. Na na, no arduino, no coding..! The easiest basic robots that can move, draw, dance…!

Didn’t get it? Okay, tell me, what adds motion to robots? Yes, motors. The geared and gearless motors. Let’s build 5 simple basic robots for beginners & kids with Havi’s robotics kit.

These creations are:

• Easy to make.
• Defines basic robot’s behavior.
• Helpful in understanding basic robotics motion concepts.
• Handy to represent in school science fair projects.
• Improve knowledge of motors and STEAM concepts.
• Beginners & kids friendly

So, let’s start:

1. DIY Simple robot

First of all, let’s build a basic robot that can move forward, backward and circular.

The simple robot, made out of Havi Elements, a single geared motor, and 2 wheels, provides a basic example of how robots move smoothly. While the making of this robot requires 5-7 minutes, it opens up endless possibilities for creative STEAM project variations. For example, we can craft a robotic figure or any creature and fix it alongside this robot

The only thing we need to take care of while making it is that the wire of the geared motor should not brush up against the wheels. Keep a ‘safe’ distance between the wheels and the geared motor shaft. In addition to motion, this robot, with its circular motion, teaches the concept of ‘Center of Gravity’.

Kids can also extend it to make an artist bot that uses colors and makes artistic patterns.

Step-by-step instructions: DIY Simple robot

2. A Scribble bot

After making an artist bot, now, it is time to make a scribble bot. A robot machine that draws on a sheet of paper because of the principle of vibration. Yes, gearless motors are used to make robots that moves with the principle of vibration.

Gearless motors are faster than geared motors. In geared motors, gears are used to transmit power, which results in the energy being divided among the gears, making geared motors slower than gearless ones.

To make the Scribble Bot project, in addition to Havi’s kit and a gearless motor, you will also require some craft pieces such as cardboard, sketch pens, a compass, etc.

Step-by-step instructions: Scribble bot

What is the difference between geared & gearless motor?

3. Robotic insect

In this robot, we mimic an insect and make it move using the principle of vibration.

We’ve seen insects that resemble robots in movies. Here, using minimal materials, we’re going to build an easy robotic insect. Additionally, you’ll need a glue gun stick piece or something similar to make the insect move along with the gearless motor.

Step-by-step instructions: Robotic insect

Naming the robotic insect could be fun! How about “TechBug” or “MechanoBeetle”?

As for other insects using the same circuit, beginners could try creating variations like a robotic butterfly, a robotic spider, or even a robotic ant. Each of these would require slight modifications to the design and possibly additional materials, but the core circuit could remain the same.

4. The dancer bot

Dance? How? Okay, let me give you an example using your mobile phone. Keep your father’s mobile phone in vibrate mode and place it on a table. Now, ask your mother to call your father.

Let the call ring 4-5 times. Is the phone still in the same position as before? That’s how the vibration principle works in a dancing bot.

By using the same principle of vibration, we can build a robot that dances. Trick here is to make an art piece of dancer boy/girl.

Yeah, we are sure you can make a better art piece of dancer. 🙂

Step-by-step instructions: Dancing robot

5. Bristle bot

Last but not the least. Do you have brush at home? Obviously, YES. Take that brush and make an easy STEAM project of bristle bot or brush bot using it.

Make the eyes, legs etc. of this bot as per your imagination.

Step-by-step instructions: DIY Bristlebot

(PS: No. Mobile phones do not have gearless motors. The example given here is just for understanding vibration.)