You may be among those who need an article on how to build a robot for beginners. This would serve you well also because we see kids as beginners. Robotics has not fully been welcomed by most parents for their kids. However, Building a Robot is a very exciting experience. Kids of all ages can build a robot.
No matter their interests, building a robot is an exciting way to express their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Research shows that using robots in education allows children to have interactive and engaging learning experiences.
It also showed that it has the potential to help children develop their understanding of science and mathematics and also improve their academic scores.
At the end of this post, your child should know how to build a robot from scratch. Or if you are curious about how to build a robot for kids, this will meet you well.
Why should kids be allowed to build a robot?
Kids are very curious by nature and also very energetic, finding something that keeps them busy and also feeds their curiosity is important.
Learning robotics stimulates their imagination.
In this robotics engineering, your child will develop their hands-on imaginative skills by building robots. In addition, I try to make them perform certain functions and come up with perfect designs.
Overall, many research studies have shown that learning about robotics helps children develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
It can also help them see the potential of using technology to solve critical problems and improve the world around them.
Why should we build robots?
For human safety and over labor. Robots are eliminating jobs that are dangerous to humans because they can work in dangerous environments.
They can handle heavy lifting, toxic materials, and repetitive tasks. This has helped companies prevent many accidents, as well as save time and money.
What is robotics for kids?
Robotics for kids refers to any type of activity that helps children understand robotics. Activities can range from robot-building kits and toys that get their little hands moving in something fun to more in-depth.
Also, taking courses or bootcamps where they can delve deeper into understanding and application of robotics construction.
What is Robotics Engineering?
A robotics engineer is a behind-the-scenes designer responsible for creating robots and robotic systems capable of performing tasks that humans cannot or would prefer not to complete.
For example, the Roomba was created to help humans with the mundane task of vacuuming floors.
Through their creations, robotics engineers help make jobs safer, easier, and more efficient.
Unlike other types of engineering, robotics engineering requires the ability to master a variety of technical areas: robotics engineers are the bridge between mechanics, electronics, computer science, and cognitive psychology.
Types of robot-building kits for my kid
How to build a robot…
There are several robot-building kits that you can buy for your child. Here are a few kits you can find easily on Hub360 or Jumia:
4DOF Wooden Robotic Arm kit
This kit allows your child to build a robot with 4 degrees of freedom. Get it here: 4DOF Wooden Robotic Arm kit – HUB360
To buy the plastic version, click here: Robotic Arm Maker Kit – HUB360
Acrylic robotic claw
This kit allows your child to build a robot with a robotic claw. Check it here: Acrylic robotic claw – HUB360
Makeblock MBot
This kit allows your child to build a rolling robot with an ultrasonic sensor, this allows the robot to sense the distance between an object and itself. Buy it here: Makeblock MBot | Jumia Nigeria
Types of Robots
These are various types of robots
- Mobile Robots
- Rolling Robots
- Walking Robots
- Stationary Robots
- Autonomous Robots
- Remote-control Robots
Table of Content
How to Build a Robot: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids
Why should kids be allowed to build a robot?
Step 1: Choose the type of Robot you want to build
Which robot-building kit can I buy for my kid?
How to Build a Robot: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids
These are the steps on how to build a robot for beginners and kids.
Generally, building robots is a fun and interesting activity.
Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Choose the type of Robot you want to build
The first step in building a robot is deciding which robot to build. There are many affordable robot-building kits for kids that you can choose from. There are different types of robots that you can build:
- Rolling Robots: These are robots that move around using wheels. They are used in exploring places
- Walking Robots: These are robots that move around using robotic legs. These robots are designed using human legs as inspiration
- Stationary Robots: These are robots that are not mobile. They perform their tasks at a fixed location. Such robots are very useful in assembly lines such as car assembly lines.
- Autonomous Robots: These are robots that require little to no help from human beings. They move and operate almost entirely without human help. An example of autonomous robots is self-driving cars.
- Remote-control Robots: These are robots that are controlled using a remote. The controller(the person who controls the robot) is not in the same space as the robot. Examples of these robots are space exploration robots.
Step 2: Get the tools ready
Decide on the robot that you will be building. In several robot-building kits, there are many robots that you can build with the blocks provided. There is a manual and a certain number of blocks that you need to build each robot. Before you get started, you must choose one of the robots to build and select the individual blocks needed to build the robot.
Other than the blocks, there are key materials needed to build a robot, they are:
- Battery: This is used to power the robot.
- Motor: This is used to convert the electricity from the battery to mechanical energy which makes the robot move
- Sensor: This is used to detect changes in the environment such as light, sound, or pressure
- Microcontroller: This is the brain of the robot. This is the component that tells the robot what to do
- Wheel or Propellers: These are devices used for movement
Step 3: Build the Robot
Every robot building kit has a manual. The manual is to ensure that you have something to guide you so you do not get lost or confused. Follow the manual and slowly build the robot.
Step 4: Check your Robot
When you are done building the robot, it is important to check the picture given and the robot that you’ve built. It is very easy to make a mistake when you’re building a robot especially if you use a wrong block that looks very similar to the original block. Carefully look at each part of the robot to ensure that you used the right blocks and tools
Step 5: Coding
Some robots require that you input some piece of code to it to make it move. A lot of robot-building kits will have guidelines on how to input the code into the robot.
If you ever get stuck, you can always check online, look out on YouTube for a solution, or reach out to the manufacturer of the kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several robot-building kits that you can buy for your child. Here are a few kits you can find easily on Hub360 or Jumia:
4DOF Wooden Robotic Arm kit
This kit allows your child to build a robot with 4 degrees of freedom. Get it here: 4DOF Wooden Robotic Arm kit – HUB360
To buy the plastic version, click here: Robotic Arm Maker Kit – HUB360
Acrylic robotic claw
This kit allows your child to build a robot with a robotic claw. Check it here: Acrylic robotic claw – HUB360
Robotics teaches kids engineering and problem-solving skills. Kids learn to solve problems by working on different challenges in robotics classes. They also learn the basics of engineering, which is designing and creating something that solves a problem.
Yes, you can create your own robot by following and applying the steps you learnt anytime anywhere.
These are the steps on how to build a robot;
Step 1: Choose the type of Robot you want to build
Step 2: Get the tools ready
Step 3: Build the Robot
Step 4: Check your Robot
Step 5: Coding
Conclusion
Building a robot is quite easy for kids. As long as you follow the above steps, your child will be able to build a robot with no issues at all.
We also have classes teaching kids how to build a robot.
The advantage of enrolling your child with us is that he or she would be assigned to an instructor to guide them when they make mistakes.
References
https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/news/robot-sales-rise-again.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/jeductechsoci.19.2.148
