like i said i want to build robots, but where do i start? what do i need to learn first?
i have very limited knowledge for electronics, i messed around with leds and kits for kids when i was a kid… but that was just following instructions. i like making things and inventing but lack the knowledge to get further. robots are cool and even better if they are useful i want to get started but i don’t even know what questions to ask.
so my plan is to make utility robots for simple things, how hard is it to build a robot that is fairly flat and can fish stuff from under furniture? (like dog toys for instance)
i was thinking to: make a flat plate with small wheels and a bulldozer/grappler on the front to shove or grab stuff back to the light, but how do i control it/make it able to get back with the found stuff?
i already have an arduino uno and several sensors and motors, buttons and stuff, i also have a 3d printer and can make simple 3d designs using tinkercad, so i’m set on parts i suppose.
eventually i want to make a robot that can climb trees and make pictures/videos but that will take more skill than i currently have i guess.
If you’re entirely new to robotics, starting with something custom might be a bit frustrating. Take a look at this series of articles:
robotshop.com/blog/en/robots … ke-a-robot
In terms of general learning, a microcontroller kit has quite a lot to help you get started and build the confidence to try more difficult projects:
robotshop.com/en/microcontroller-kits.html
It’s a question of the design - you’ve given an objective, but now need to brainstorm how to go about doing it.
That sounds like RC control to start.
That’s a design challenge.
i read through a couple of blog posts including the one you listed, and also found a couple simple robots that make use of not too many parts with instructions, and the parts for it should be coming in tomorrow or the day after.
i also wired and programmed a servo with encoder for practise today (with arduino). i can find instructions for most individual parts so when i get those working i think i’ll be able to combine them into a robot.
Hey tjvkooten,
Congrats on getting into robotics and don’t let the frustration early on get you down… it’s a wonderful hobby. I’m relatively new to all this as well and I’m documenting my project build on YouTube (links below); it’s definitely a struggle to learn all the different components needed to get a completed robot, but it sounds like you’re starting the right way… start with the Arduino and a motor and just build capabilities from there by adding your sensors, etc. - it’s fun to see it grow 
Do you have a design for your project yet?
Cheers, Nick.
i don’t have a design ready yet, but i think i’ll focus on using internet instructions an trying to add sensors/lasers to them.
About to ask the same question, thanks for the series of the articles. I personally think, i just want to focus on coding/programming first. I think it is the heart of robot or i mean like the brain of the robot. Before you want your robot to make something for you, you need to execute an order. That order is coding stuff
