How to Build a Beginner's Robot for Kids

Find a RC car. You may use one that you already own or pick an inexpensive model at a local store.

Remove all the plastic shell pieces that cover the RC car and give the vehicle its look. These are superfluous pieces and are not applicable to a robot prototype.

Begin salvaging the necessary components. Gently pull out and set aside for use the black battery pack and the green receiver board. Place the controller aside for later, as it will communicate with the receiver board and allow for the operation of the robot.

Locate the two servos (motors). Each of these are small, black circular pieces with a wire lead coming out of their side. Ensure these remain intact on the remaining wheel base of the prototype. Do not remove them.

Take a strip of Velcro and cut two squares that are about the size of the base of the receiver board and the battery pack.

Attach the Velcro strips to the center of the wheel base. Apply a thin layer of model glue to the back of each Velcro strip and firmly place and press the stops onto the wheel base, with one strip going on the top center of the base and the other on the bottom center. Allow several minutes to dry.

Wire the battery to the receiver board. There will be a two-wire lead sticking out of the battery that can be led to the receiver. On the end of the receiver is a row of channels that can be used as insertion points for wires. One of these channels will be labeled as "Batt" or "Battery," depending on the model of your receiver board. Insert the two-wire battery lead here.

Wire the servos to the receiver board. Each servo will have a wire lead. Insert each servo's wire into a channel on the receiver. Ensure that each servo is inserted into separate channels and that neither is the channel that was reserved for the battery pack.

Include decorative elements that will give your robot a distinct style as you desire, although this is optional. Old toys or household items may be added to your robot prototype to provide personality. These pieces can be added using a thin layer of your model glue.

Pick up the controller and turn it on. Give your robot a test drive to ensure the motors are operating and were wired correctly. Revisit the receiver board connections if necessary.