Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Great robot design
Drawing: Sketch out your ideas first. When doing so ask yourself what you want this design to do. Do you want it to pick up soda cans or to do a dance? This overall idea will dictate your design details. A dancing robot needs well articulated legs but not so much in the arms. A soda can grasping robot may not even need legs, just a long reach or caterpillar treads. At first make your sketches rough -- just to get a good idea in your head, these are just "back of the napkin" ideas so you don't forget. Then start with the measured sketches, using the ruler, compass and protractor to ensure an accurate layout.
Computer Aided Design: Here you need to download the Lego Digital Designer from the Lego website . It is free and a great program to boot. From here you need to start building your design and testing it within the software. You will need to use a lot of the Lego Mindstorm pieces.. Feel free to vary your design here as you can always undue whatever changes you make; though to be safe, save your work regularly and keep a file with your basic design in case you just want to start all over again.
Build: If you are using the Lego system it will be relatively simple to use the Lego Digital Designer as an instruction book. Just put the pieces together as you designed them. Remember to put the batteries in at the end.
Get Feedback: Test your design, have it pick up the trash or play the piano; whatever it is that you designed it to do. Write down whatever glitches or problems that occur. Another important part is get another pair of eyes on it -- you may be missing something simple because you are too involved in the design. Make sure to take the criticism constructively, do not get offended as it is criticism of your design not of you.
Incorporate the Feedback: Back to the designing board. First sketch out the problem that is occurring, then sketch out a solution, then design it in the Lego Digital Designer; and then incorporate the new build into your design. Now test and repeat until it works perfectly. Congratulations, now you can design a robot!