Hello, I am looking to get my son off the computer games and phone games. I want to get him into building robots as he is a smart kid and keeps talking about attendin Virginia Tech for some sort of engineering. I am hoping to get him interested in robotics, but do not have a ton of cash. So many of even the basic kits cost so much, I do not want cost to keep him from experiencing this. Anyone have suggestions on where to look or what to do to get started? Thanks in advance for your ideas/help.
Getting started
Perhaps you could find a local Robotic Club or Maker space where there is an established group of builders. Lacking that you might want to enter a competition such as Trinity College Firefighting. Finally I would get a fairly complex kit for yourself and have him “assist” in the build.
Software / Programming
A large part of robotics involves software / programming, so the least expensive way is to get started with learning a computer language (essentially free). You can use incentives for completing projects. If budget allows, include hardware like microcontrollers etc. If you tell us more about his age / interests, perhaps we can provide more specific suggestions. Taking apart electronics / mechanics and fixing them as a parent / child experience might be of interest as well. Find a blown LCD screen and replace some capacitors (a few cents) and that’s a reward in itself.
Ebay.
Ebay has great cheap robot kits and most of them are under ten dollars. For him getting started with arduino and wiring the robot I have no idea. I have mostly self taught myself into building robots and such since I was 15 if that helps. Good luck!!!