How to get started with robot toys?
Ok, so you know nothing about robotics huh? Well, you've come to the right place. Unfortunately there are lots of people like you out there. Robotics isn't an easy hobby, and there really isn't a whole lot of information out there, especially compared to other hobbies. But, with a little diligence and hard work, you'll be up and running in no time. Below are 10 hints and tips to getting started. Hopefully they'll help you avoid some common mistakes. 1. Learn about electronics While this isn't one of the most fun parts about robotics, it is essential. For a while I lived under the impression that I could do robotics without knowing anything about electronics. But, I found out that I was wrong pretty soon. Don't get me wrong, you don't have to have an EE degree, but you do need to know some of the basics. Getting Started In Electronics by Forrest Mimms is an excellent resource for this. You can find a review of this book here.
Ozobot Evo vs Bit: Putting Fun & Creativity in Robotics
https://www.robottoyonline.com/ozobot-evo-vs-bit-putting-fun-creativity-in-robotics
2. Buy some books In order to have a good start into robotics, you will need to start growing your library right off the bat. Getting the right books will provide an invaluable help. Robot Building for Beginners is a good starting point. An absolute must-have book is Robot Builder's Bonanza. You'll also want to get some magazine subscriptions. Robot Magazine is great for beginners, along with Servo Magazine. You'll also find other interesting books, on our books page.
3. Start off small This is probably one most important points of this whole article. Stay small! Resist the urge to let your mind run wild with possiblities of cooking robot that will dust and vacuum at the same time. You need to start off small. Try putting some motors onto a base (like some AOL CDs or a bread-board from Radio Shack or Jameco) and running them with a Basic Stamp or an OOPic. If you're more the kit type, you will find an impressive selection at RobotShop, Lynxmotion, Parallax, Rogue Robotics and Budget Robotics. If you don't have any electronics or mechanics experience I'd recommend getting a kit.
Robot Toys for Adults: Fun Companion Like No Other
https://www.robottoyonline.com/robot-toys-for-adults-fun-companion-like-no-other/
4. Get LEGO Mindstorms if you don't have any programming experience If you've never programmed before, you're in a bit of trouble, because you'll have to learn in order to do robotics, well, mostly. However, LEGO Mindstorms offers and excellent resource for the totally illiterate. I have never heard anything bad about this product, and HIGHLY recommend it. Plus, if you advance beyond it's capabilites, there are tons of great websites and books about hacking it for other uses. You can buy the Mindstorms 2.0 kit here, or wait till Aug. 2006 to get the new version, Mindstorms NXT. VEX Robotics Kit is also a good starting point. I don't have any person experience with it, but I've heard good things.
5. Enter a contest - I.E. Build a 'bot to do something After you're initial robot or so, you'll need to start to plan for a robot that will actually do something. Part of the problem for a lot of people is that they never plan their robot ahead of time. When you have definite goals in mind, i.e. "I want my robot to patrol the house at night", you are much more motovated and interested in finishing. A great way to do this is to enter your robot into a contest. Mini Sumo, and the international Fire-Fighting Contest are excellent choices. Many clubs have annual contests and events.
6. Work regularly on your 'bots Make yourself work on your robots regularly, especially if you're entering a contest! Coming back to a project after weeks of ingnoring it is tough. Take that time to think about the project and plan. It will help, even if it's just for a few minutes before bed. Also, keep a regular journal of what you've done. Documenting your work is important.
7. Read about mistakes of others Take a look at our top mistakes with building a robot list and know what to avoid.
Choosing The Best Programmable Robot Kit For Beginners
https://www.robottoyonline.com/choosing-the-best-programmable-robot-kit-for-beginners
8. Don't be a tightwad This is probably the second most important point in this article. Take it from one - Being a tightwad, or cheap person, isn't good. You may save a few dollars, but you will loose so much more with the extra time and frustration involved in being cheap. Don't get me wrong, you should always look for bargans, but if that involves desoldering components off of circuit boards, as opposed to spending $5 at Digi-Key, just give up. I've learned this lesson the hard way. Robotics isn't a cheap hobby, and sometime you'll have to face the facts. You're time and sanity are worth more.
9. Ask LOTS of questions Subscribe to every e-mail list and newsgroup that you can find, and just ask questions. You'll learn more that way than from any book or website. Questions are never stupid. Don't be shy. No one ever gets good enough where they don't have to ask questions sometime. The forums at Robot Magazine are a good place to start.
Ozobot Evo vs Bit: Putting Fun & Creativity in Robotics
https://www.robottoyonline.com/ozobot-evo-vs-bit-putting-fun-creativity-in-robotics
2. Buy some books In order to have a good start into robotics, you will need to start growing your library right off the bat. Getting the right books will provide an invaluable help. Robot Building for Beginners is a good starting point. An absolute must-have book is Robot Builder's Bonanza. You'll also want to get some magazine subscriptions. Robot Magazine is great for beginners, along with Servo Magazine. You'll also find other interesting books, on our books page.
3. Start off small This is probably one most important points of this whole article. Stay small! Resist the urge to let your mind run wild with possiblities of cooking robot that will dust and vacuum at the same time. You need to start off small. Try putting some motors onto a base (like some AOL CDs or a bread-board from Radio Shack or Jameco) and running them with a Basic Stamp or an OOPic. If you're more the kit type, you will find an impressive selection at RobotShop, Lynxmotion, Parallax, Rogue Robotics and Budget Robotics. If you don't have any electronics or mechanics experience I'd recommend getting a kit.
Robot Toys for Adults: Fun Companion Like No Other
https://www.robottoyonline.com/robot-toys-for-adults-fun-companion-like-no-other/
4. Get LEGO Mindstorms if you don't have any programming experience If you've never programmed before, you're in a bit of trouble, because you'll have to learn in order to do robotics, well, mostly. However, LEGO Mindstorms offers and excellent resource for the totally illiterate. I have never heard anything bad about this product, and HIGHLY recommend it. Plus, if you advance beyond it's capabilites, there are tons of great websites and books about hacking it for other uses. You can buy the Mindstorms 2.0 kit here, or wait till Aug. 2006 to get the new version, Mindstorms NXT. VEX Robotics Kit is also a good starting point. I don't have any person experience with it, but I've heard good things.
5. Enter a contest - I.E. Build a 'bot to do something After you're initial robot or so, you'll need to start to plan for a robot that will actually do something. Part of the problem for a lot of people is that they never plan their robot ahead of time. When you have definite goals in mind, i.e. "I want my robot to patrol the house at night", you are much more motovated and interested in finishing. A great way to do this is to enter your robot into a contest. Mini Sumo, and the international Fire-Fighting Contest are excellent choices. Many clubs have annual contests and events.
6. Work regularly on your 'bots Make yourself work on your robots regularly, especially if you're entering a contest! Coming back to a project after weeks of ingnoring it is tough. Take that time to think about the project and plan. It will help, even if it's just for a few minutes before bed. Also, keep a regular journal of what you've done. Documenting your work is important.
7. Read about mistakes of others Take a look at our top mistakes with building a robot list and know what to avoid.
Choosing The Best Programmable Robot Kit For Beginners
https://www.robottoyonline.com/choosing-the-best-programmable-robot-kit-for-beginners
8. Don't be a tightwad This is probably the second most important point in this article. Take it from one - Being a tightwad, or cheap person, isn't good. You may save a few dollars, but you will loose so much more with the extra time and frustration involved in being cheap. Don't get me wrong, you should always look for bargans, but if that involves desoldering components off of circuit boards, as opposed to spending $5 at Digi-Key, just give up. I've learned this lesson the hard way. Robotics isn't a cheap hobby, and sometime you'll have to face the facts. You're time and sanity are worth more.
9. Ask LOTS of questions Subscribe to every e-mail list and newsgroup that you can find, and just ask questions. You'll learn more that way than from any book or website. Questions are never stupid. Don't be shy. No one ever gets good enough where they don't have to ask questions sometime. The forums at Robot Magazine are a good place to start.
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