Robot Builder’s Sourcebook

534
robots-hobby & kit
International distributors also.
x �
Kadtronics 202220
� (321) 757-9280
� http://www.kadtronix.com/
Robotics platforms (made from plastic chassis boxes),
Robot Design Manual (book).
x V
Lynxmotion, Inc. � 202034
PO Box 818
Pekin, IL 61555-0818
USA
What to Look for in a Robotics Kit
� (309) 382-1816
� (309) 382-1254
� sales@lynxmotion.com
� http://www.lynxmotion.com/
Lynxmotion sells high-quality kits and parts for mobile
robots—both wheeled and legged. See listing under
Retail-Robotics Specialty.
x d �
Mecarobo: Educational Robots 203132
Somerset House
40-49 Price St.
Birmingham
B46LZ
UK
� +(44) (0) 2074 139583
Robot kits offer an ideal way to learn about the science of robot building. Rather than having
to gather all the bits and pieces yourself, a kit lets you concentrate on the building and
programming aspects. You don’t need to take numerous trips to the hardware store,
and—depending on the kit—you don’t even need to pick up a saw, sander, or drill. (Of
course, there are many robot tinkerers who enjoy this aspect the most. It’s all in your perspective.)
If you’re looking to explore the world of amateur robotics with a kit, here are some
pointers to keep in mind to help you decide which one is best for you.
Obviously, cost is a consideration, and most kits fall into three categories.
• At the low end, costing from $20 to $100, is the kit for a basic nonprogrammable or
simple programmable robot. Examples in this category are BEAM robots (see Robots
- BEAM). These make for good starter kits, especially for younger robobuilders.
• The middle ground is the $100 to $300 kit. The Parallax BOE-Bot (BOE stands for
“Board of Education”)usually comes with a more sophisticated means of programming.
These kits are perfect for junior high and high school robotics studies.
• The high end comprises specialty kits, such as the walking robots from Lynxmotion or
the heavy-duty platforms from Zagros. Prices may vary from a low of $300 to several
thousand dollars. They are intended for the serious robotics hobbyist or for educational
purposes.
Once you’ve decided on the price range that suits you, the next step is comparing features.
You can judge features based on what the kit comes with (two motors, two
wheels, etc.), or what the completed robot does. If you are looking to learn behaviorbased
programming in robotics, a robot kit that does not permit you to change its built-in
programs will not be of much use to you, no matter what hardware it comes with.
Finally, if possible, ask for an electronic copy of the instruction manual that comes with
the kit. Many that I’ve seen are poorly written, and difficult to understand. It can be frustrating
enough troubleshooting a belligerent robot; you don’t need poor Yoda-ish documentation
worsening the situation.