Robotics is a fascinating and rapidly growing field that has the potential to impact our lives in a significant way. As we become increasingly reliant on technology, it’s necessary to have a basic understanding of how it works. This is especially true for children, who are the future builders and users of this technology.
One way to learn about robotics is to build and experiment with your robot. But before you can do that, you need to understand the components of a robotics kit. In this blog post, we’ll look at the basics of robotics kits and what each component does.
Types of Robotics Kit Components
There are many different types of robotics kit components. While some are designed for specific tasks or applications, others have a more general purpose and can be used for various projects. Here is a rundown of some of the most popular types of robotics kit components:
Structural Components
The structural component of a robot is the skeleton, which gives the robot its shape. The most common material for structural components is aluminum, as it is strong yet lightweight. Other materials sometimes used include wood, plastic, and carbon fiber.
Microcontrollers
Microcontrollers are the brains of most modern robots. They are responsible for processing information and executing commands. The most popular microcontrollers used in robotics kits are the Arduino and the Raspberry Pi.
Motors
Motors are used to power the movement of your robot. DC motors are the most common type used in robotics kits. They come in a variety of sizes, depending on the application.
Servos
Servos are special types of motors that can control the movement of specific parts of your robot, such as arms or legs. They are often used in conjunction with microcontrollers.
Sensors
Sensors detect environmental changes and relay that information back to the microcontroller. Typical sensors used in robotics kits include proximity, infrared, and ultrasonic sensors.
Batteries
Batteries are used to power the motors and sensors in your robot. The type of battery you will need will depend on the application. Rechargeable batteries are often used in robotics kits.
Wheels and Tracks
Wheels and tracks are used to provide motion to robots. Wheels are typically used for robots operating on smooth surfaces, while tracks are better suited for rough terrain.
Most robotics kits will include some or all of the components listed above. Depending on the kit, you may also need additional components like sensors, motors, or batteries. It is important to understand the components included in your kit and how they work together to build a functioning robot.
ELEGOO UNO R3 Smart Robot Car Kit V4 for Arduino Robotics for Kids Ages 8-12 12-16 STEM Science Kits Coding Gifts for 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Year Old Boys...
Features
| Part Number | US-EL-KIT-012 |
| Model | US-EL-KIT-012 |
| Warranty | Half year |
| Color | Robot Car V4 |
| Release Date | 2019-05-01T00:00:01Z |
| Size | 7 x 8 x 6 inches |
- ELEGOO Smart Robot Car: An educational STEM kit beginners (kids) to get hands-on experience about programming, electronics assembling and robotics knowledge. It is an integration solution for robotics learning and made for education.
- Complete Package: Contains 24 kinds of module parts including obstacle avoidance, line tracing module, infrared remote control and also you can control it via phone and tablets of Android and iOS system, etc.
- Easy to Assemble: All the module interface has been modified with XH2. 54 ports as to make it much easier and convenient to assemble the car and reduce the chances for errors.
- Refined Tutorial: HD rendering instructions on how to assemble the robot car from scratch and all the necessary programs and codes are included.
- Upgraded Package Design: More minimalism design and make it a perfect kit for your kids and friends. Note：(Applicable Age : 8+)To use Elegoo starter kits requires basic electronic knowledge. If the user has no experience, it would be better to have someone lead and teach them while studying.
Programming and Controlling Robots
This section will introduce you to the basics of programming and controlling robots, using the popular Arduino platform as an example.
Arduino is a popular open-source electronics platform that can be used to control a wide variety of devices, including robots. It is relatively simple and has many users who can offer support and advice.
There are a few things you will need to get started:
- An Arduino board. Many different types are available, so choose one that suits your needs.
- A power supply. This can be a battery, an AC adapter, or a USB connection.
- Robotics kit components. These will vary depending on the type of robot you want to build, but basic kits typically include motors, sensors, and controller boards.
- Programming software. The Arduino IDE is a popular option, but many others are available.
- A USB cable. This is used to connect the Arduino board to your computer.
You can begin programming your robot once you have all the necessary components. The first thing you will need to do is choose a control scheme. There are two main types of control schemes: remote control and autonomous.
Remote control robots use a radio transmitter, much like a remote-controlled car. This allows you to control the robot’s movements directly. Autonomous robots are programmed to follow instructions, such as avoiding objects or navigating to a specific location.
Once you have chosen a control scheme, you must write the code to make your robot move. The Arduino IDE includes a built-in code editor that makes writing and uploading your code to the board easy.
Many different types of motors can power a robot, but the most common are DC motors. DC motors rotate in one direction when power is applied and in the opposite direction when the power is reversed. This makes them ideal for use in robots, as electronic switches can easily control them.
Sensors detect various conditions, such as changes in light level or proximity to objects. They are essential to many autonomous robots, allowing the machine to interact with its environment.
Controller boards connect all of a robot’s components and provide a means of controlling the motors and sensors. The Arduino board is an example of a controller board. It includes a microcontroller that can be programmed to perform various tasks and several input and output ports.
Once you have assembled your robot and written the code to control it, you can upload it to the Arduino board using the USB cable. Once the code is uploaded, you can test your robot to see if it works as intended.
Sensors for Autonomous Robotics
Sensors are the key to any autonomous robot. Without sensors, a robot would be completely lost, unable to gather information about its surroundings and make decisions. There are many different types of sensors available on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Rangefinder
The rangefinder is one of the most essential types of autonomous robot sensors. Rangefinders are used to measure the distance to objects in the environment and are essential for collision avoidance. Many different types of rangefinders are available, including ultrasonic, laser, and stereo vision.
Ultrasonic rangefinders are the most common type used in robots, as they are relatively cheap and easy to interface with. However, they are susceptible to noise and can have difficulty accurately measuring distance in cluttered environments.
Laser rangefinders are more expensive but much more accurate and immune to noise.
Stereo vision rangefinders use two cameras to triangulate the position of objects and can provide very accurate distance measurements. However, they require more complex hardware and software and can be more difficult to interface with.
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)
Another vital sensor for autonomous robots is the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). The IMU measures the rotation and acceleration of the robot and is used for dead reckoning (estimating the robot’s position based on its previous movements).
This is especially useful if the robot is operating in an environment where it can’t see its surroundings (e.g., inside a building or tunnel), as it can still keep track of its position. IMUs typically use gyroscopes and accelerometers to measure rotation and acceleration, respectively.
Cameras
Cameras are also commonly used as sensors in autonomous robots. Cameras can be used for object detection and recognition, as well as for navigation. Many autonomous robots use slam (simultaneous localization and mapping) algorithms to build up a map of their environment as they explore. Cameras can also be used to track objects or people, useful for tasks such as package delivery or security.
Many other types of sensors can be used in autonomous robots, including GPS, touch sensors, force sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The best sensor for a particular application will depend on the specific needs of the robot. For example, a robot designed for search and rescue might need different sensors than a robot designed for warehouse automation.
In general, it’s important to choose rugged, reliable, and wide-operating-range sensors. Autonomous robots need to be able to operate in various environments, and sensors only designed for one specific type of environment will likely not be suitable. Additionally, sensors that have low power consumption should be chosen, as autonomous robots typically need to be able to operate for long periods without being plugged in.
Components for Communication and Interaction
In this section, we will discuss various components involved in communication and interaction with a robot. This will include both hardware components and software components.
Microphone
The first hardware component we will discuss is the microphone. The microphone is responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals. The robot’s control system can then process these electrical signals.
Many different types of microphones are available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. For example, some microphones are better at picking up low-frequency sounds, while others are better at picking up high-frequency sounds.
Speaker
The second hardware component we will discuss is the speaker. The speaker is responsible for converting electrical signals into sound waves. These sound waves can then be heard by humans.
Like with microphones, many different types of speakers are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. For example, some speakers are better at reproducing low-frequency sounds, while others are better at producing high-frequency sounds.
Camera
The third hardware component we will discuss is the camera. The camera is responsible for converting light into electrical signals. The robot’s control system can then process these electrical signals.
Cameras come in many different forms, such as traditional cameras, webcams, and so on. Each type of camera has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, traditional cameras typically have better image quality than webcams.
LCD Screen
The fourth hardware component we will discuss is the LCD screen. The LCD screen is responsible for displaying information for the user. This information can be in text, images, or both.
LCD screens come in many sizes, from small screens that can fit in the palm of your hand to large screens that take up an entire wall. The size of the screen you need will depend on the intended use of the robot.
LED Light
The fifth and final hardware component we will discuss is the LED light. The LED light is responsible for emitting light of a specific color. These colors can be used to convey information to the user.
For example, a red LED light might be used to indicate that the robot is in danger, while a green LED light might be used to indicate that the robot is functioning correctly.
Power Sources for Robotics Systems
Most robotics kits will come with several different types of components, including:
- Motors – used to power the movement of the robot
- Battery pack – provides power to the motors
- Solar panels – can be used to power small robots or to supplement the battery pack
- Charger – used to recharge the battery pack
When choosing a power source for your robot, you will need to consider the following:
- What type of motors will you be using?
- How much power will your robot need?
- How long do you need your robot to run?
- What kind of terrain will your robot be operating in?
A battery pack should be sufficient if you are using small motors. However, if you are using larger motors or your robot will be operating in challenging terrain, you may need to consider a solar panel or other alternative power source.
The size of the battery pack will also be determined by your robot’s power needs. If you need your robot to run for a long time, you will need a larger battery pack. Conversely, if your robot only needs to run for a short time, then a smaller battery pack will suffice.
Finally, it would help if you considered the terrain your robot will operate in. If your robot operates in an area with lots of sunlight, then a solar panel may be the best option. However, if your robot operates in an area with limited sunlight, then a battery pack may be a better choice.
Solar Robot Toys 6 in 1 STEM Projects for Kids Ages 8-12 Science Kits for Boys Girls Solar Power Space Toy Science DIY Gift Educational Experiment Robotics...
Getting Started with Robotics Kits
So, where do we start?
It can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to choosing the right one for you or your child. In this section, we will give you an overview of some of the most popular types of robotics kits for beginners and what their key components are.
One of the most popular types of robotics kits is the LEGO Mindstorms EV3. This is an excellent choice for kids already familiar with LEGO bricks and wanting to build more complex robots. The critical components of the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit are the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Intelligent Brick, motors, sensors, and LEGO Technic pieces.
Another popular type of robotics kit is the Vex Robotics Starter Kit. This is an excellent choice for kids interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) topics. The critical components of the Vex Robotics Starter Kit are the Vex Robotics Controller, motors, sensors, and batteries.
If you or your child want to build robots that can be controlled wirelessly, you might want to consider the EZ-Robot Roli Kit. This kit includes the EZ-B Robot Controller, motors, sensors, and batteries. The EZ-Robot Roli Kit is a great choice for kids who want to build robots they can control with their smartphone or tablet.
No matter what type of robotics kit you choose, you’ll be sure to have a lot of fun building and programming your robots!