Project Description

Name: Speedy

Occupation: Exploration

Power: 9v

IQ: -5

Speedy is a fun and simple bristle bot that I built from parts that I had lying around the house. I make the chassis from scrap metal that I had, and I shaped it using my diamond cutter. This was perhaps the most dangerous part, as cutting through sheet metal in your room isn't usually a good idea, however if the proper safety measures are taken there's no risk.

I got the motor from my brother's Xbox controller, as he is yet to discover. Working with the motor was extremely frustrating because it has very short, thin wires that left no margin for error. It was also too powerful, as often times the enormous vibrations used to move the bristle bot would loosen the hot glue that held it down.

I soldered the motor and the power supply to a switch. I've seen and read enough MAKE tutorials to know how to solder properly, and fortunately I have a bit of experience with a soldering gun. The first contact point went smoothly, however the second point took me forever to get right, and the vibrations would keep loosening it until the point it would break off. I finally decided to solder it and then wrap the connection point in hot glue to prevent short-circuiting and disconnection.

I attached all of the parts using hot glue and double-sided foam tape, and added a flashing blue, yellow, and green light display at the front to give it a cooler look (especially when its on in the dark). 

I actually spent more time troubleshooting then I did building, which is always frustrating.

This isn't my most applicable robot, but I suppose it could clean some floors before I take it apart or it drives its self off of a table one foot too high.

Inspiration

 I've built one bristle bot before this one, and I wanted to make a more aesthetically pleasing and efficient version using only parts I had around the house.

Who will enjoy this the most?

 I think beginner robotics hobbyists will get the most out of this project, as it is simple and required no programming.

The Project

Sorry, no video. I tried to get a couple, but it ended up being more trouble than its worth.