Fun robotics projects that teach kids to make, hack, and learn! There's no better way for kids to learn about the world around them than to test how things work. Building Your Own Robots presents fun robotics projects that children aged 7 – 11 can complete with common household items and old toys. The projects introduce core robotics concepts while keeping tasks simple and easy to follow, and the vivid, full-color graphics keep your kid's eyes on the page as they work through the projects. Brought to you by the trusted For Dummies brand, this kid-focused book offers your child a fun and easy way to start learning big topics! They'll gain confidence as they design and build a self-propelled vehicle, hack an old remote control car to create a motorized robot, and use simple commands to build and program a virtual robot—all while working on their own and enjoying a sense of accomplishment! Offers a kid-friendly design that is heavy on eye-popping graphics Focuses on basic projects that set your child on the road to further exploration Boasts a small, full-color, accessible package that instills confidence in the reader Introduces basic robotics concepts to kids in a language they can understand If your youngster loves to tinker, they'll have a whole lot of fun while developing their creative play with the help of Building Your Own Robots.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Get Started with Robot-Building 2 About This Book 2 Basic Tools and Supplies 3 About You 4 For Parents 4 About the Icons 5 Project 1: Make a Brushbot, Fast and Easy! 6 Understanding What Makes a Robot 6 Building Your First Robot: Make a Brushbot “Walking” Robot 8 For Vibrating Motors: Hack Your Toothbrush 9 Use Just the Right Bristle Brush 11 Materials You Need 12 Tools You Need 14 Making the Brushbot — Simple Version 15 Making the Brushbot — Open Guts Version. 19 Remove the Battery Compartment and Motor from the Toothbrush 20 Only If Needed: Cut Off the Brush Head 21 Tape the Battery Compartment to the Motor 22 Test the Motor 23 Attach a Rubber Band to Hold the Battery Cover in Place 24 Glue the Motor to the Back of the Brush 25 Going Further 28 Project 2: Build a Robot from a Toy Car 29 Building a Motorized Robotic Buggy 29 Find the Right Toy Car 30 Materials You Need 32 Tools You Need 33 Making the Bot 35 Take the Body Off the Car Chassis 35 Add a Rubber Layer to the Motor Shaft 36 Wire the Motor 38 Mount the Motor 40 Test the Motor with a Battery 45 Connect and Mount the Batteries 47 Playing with Your Robot Buggy 51 Going Further 51 Project 3: Build a Mousebot 53 Getting Everything Rounded Up 54 Materials You Need 54 Tools You Need 55 Making the Mousebot 58 Add a Rubber “Tire” to the Motor Shafts 58 Attach Wires to the Motors 59 Cut the Base Piece 62 Mount the Motors 63 Add a “Tail” 67 Test Each Motor with a Battery 69 Wire the Battery Holder 70 Mount the Battery Holder 74 Playing With The Mousebot 75 Going Further 77 Project 4: Hack a Radio-Controlled Toy 78 Finding Radio-Controlled Toys for Robot Forging 79 The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Pretty 79 Steering Styles 79 Two Examples of Hackable R/C Toys 81 Hacking the Car-Type R/C Toy 82 Materials You Need 83 Tools You Need 85 Disassemble the Toy Car 86 Cut the Parts for the Switch and Control Base 87 Construct the Switch 89 Wire the Switch to Create an “H-Bridge” Circuit 92 Wire the Switch to the Motor 95 Attach the Wires to the R/C Car Motor 99 Wire the Battery Holder 102 Mount the Battery Holder 104 Test the R/C Car Using Your Homebrew Switch 104 Substituting with Readymade Switches 106 Extra Parts You Need 106 Wire the Switches 108 Run the R/C Car Through Its Paces 112 Going Further 113 Author Notes 114 Finding the Stuff to Build Your Robots 114 Discount General Merchandise, Supplies, and Tools 114 Electrical Supplies 115 Toys for Disassembly 115 Tools and Electrical Supply 116 Robot-Making Kits and Parts 116 Robotics Information, Building Plans, and Blogs 117 Selected International Sellers 117 Glossary 118