How to Build the Coolest DIY Pivot Bot
- 2 years ago
"There is something satisfying about watching two homemade robots beat the bolts out of one another, isn’t there? That’s why we are excited that BattleBots has made its way back to television. While we are stoked that the show is back on The Science Channel, we are even more excited that a few of Fatherly’s “Maker Dads” videos will appear during each episode, teaching parents how to create their own (less dangerous) robots with their kids.
During this week’s episode, Maker Dad Shannon LaNier and his daughter Madison show you how to build a Pivot Bot.
What exactly is a Pivot Bot, you ask? Made with components provided by LittleBits, it’s an easy-to-build robot that you can steer and spin around with a remote control.
How to build a Pivot Bot? First, you will need to build the remote-control circuit. Connect the power source and the two sliders to the split. Then, connect the other side of the sliders to the left and right sides of the wireless transmitter, and connect the power snap to the center. Put the battery on the power source, and snap everything to the mounting board. Tape the battery in place.
Then, you will need to build the Pivot Bot. Form a circuit by connecting the wireless receiver to a power source and snapping the motors to the receiver. Connect the servo to the receiver. Ensure that the motors are set to VAR and the servo set to swing. Connect the motors and servo to one side of the mounting board and the ball castor to the bottom of the other side. Connect the wheels to the motor shafts. Make sure you align the flat sides of each piece. Attach the battery and tape it to the mounting board between the wheels.
Once you are done, it’s time to battle! If you make two Pivot Bots, you can spin them into each other and try to use the arm to take down your opponent.
During this week’s episode, Maker Dad Shannon LaNier and his daughter Madison show you how to build a Pivot Bot.
What exactly is a Pivot Bot, you ask? Made with components provided by LittleBits, it’s an easy-to-build robot that you can steer and spin around with a remote control.
How to build a Pivot Bot? First, you will need to build the remote-control circuit. Connect the power source and the two sliders to the split. Then, connect the other side of the sliders to the left and right sides of the wireless transmitter, and connect the power snap to the center. Put the battery on the power source, and snap everything to the mounting board. Tape the battery in place.
Then, you will need to build the Pivot Bot. Form a circuit by connecting the wireless receiver to a power source and snapping the motors to the receiver. Connect the servo to the receiver. Ensure that the motors are set to VAR and the servo set to swing. Connect the motors and servo to one side of the mounting board and the ball castor to the bottom of the other side. Connect the wheels to the motor shafts. Make sure you align the flat sides of each piece. Attach the battery and tape it to the mounting board between the wheels.
Once you are done, it’s time to battle! If you make two Pivot Bots, you can spin them into each other and try to use the arm to take down your opponent.