WHAT IS A ROBOT? First, we will decide what a "robot" is. In my opinion, a remote control car is not a robot, it has no brains of their own. Has no way to make a decision on their own. If you want to build a machine that responds to your remote, then just use a remote control car or other toy. But I do not think you can call it a robot. Even if a robot has a brain on board, you can still take instructions from an operator and a robot called
For a robot, you must have the ability to think - to make decisions. This may seem difficult at first, but really any small team can be programmed to make decisions. Here is an example of a decision that a small robot with a weak brain can do:
If the front left whisker sensor IS THEN
STOP, go back 2 feet to the right, continue.
This is very common "if-then" statement.
A machine that can perform this instruction is actually a robot. Therefore, the conclusion is that to be called a robot, you really need a brain board and a way to program.
The tricky part is?
I would encourage, but I must be honest, the construction of a robot is not easy. Now, if we are talking about building a small base with legos and it is remote controlled, then it is very easy, but you can not call a robot, it has no brain. Lego Mindstorms has a brain and we'll talk about that later.
If you want to build a robot from scratch that you need:
Design and build a foundation. Locate and buy the motor drive and direction. They have access to the drill press, saw, sander (and often a router). Design and build motor drive circuit (s). Design and build a micro controller. Design and build sensor circuits. Learning to program and write software from scratch.
This is a task that a normal person would have several months or years. In fact, as former chairman of Dallas Personal Robotics Group, I have met engineers who spent several years just to get a job as a mobile base.
I'm not trying to dissuade him from taking the 'from scratch' approach, I just want to know what size of project this is. If you're willing to spend many months, a lot of money and, potentially, disappointment and despair, then design and build their own robot from scratch.
How much?
Most people think they can build a robot with parts found in the house that is partially true. Electric screwdrivers I would be a good engine (assuming you could find a way to connect a wheel). But there are many things you will ever buy. Especially when it comes to electronics, sensors and micro parts. These items are not available at the bottom of a box of toys at your local Wal Mart.
Most of the robots built from scratch between $ 200 and $ 400 for a mobile robot with a minimum of a brain. Many people spend more than $ 1000 and some more. Almost everyone thought it would cost much less when they started.
Build or buy?
So this becomes the big question: Should I build a robot from scratch or should I start with a kit and build on it?
You can say, "If I buy it, then I can not say who built it." If you buy a robot in kit form, painting, assembly, then add their own sensors and program it, I think it's fair to say that "built."
Even if you build a robot from scratch, you're still going to buy pre-built engines, wheels and other items. So the real question is: what level is going to build your own robot? Are you going to mine ore to make aluminum? Design your own chips? Of course not. It makes sense to buy certain items, but what elements? That is the question we must answer before you start with robotics.