Beetlebots

The Beetlebot is a very simple little robot that avoids obstacles on the floor without using any silicon chip — not even an op-amp, and certainly nothing programmable. Two motors propel the bugbot forward, and when one of its feelers hits an obstacle, the bot reverses its opposite motor to rotate around and avoid it. The project uses only 2 switches, 2 motors, and 1 battery holder, and it costs less than $10 in materials. Reference: Best of Make (Magazine) - Volume 2, 2015 - pg 136-139; also Make Webzine

Jaiqi (Emily) Liu built the Beetlebots above and a test track. For step-by-step making instructions, see her Google Presentation. Make your Beetlebot....take pictures and video before you take yours home to play.

Make Magazine also provides detailed Step-by-Step Making Instructions - How to Make a Beetlebot

Akhil Deo improved the project to obtain a 90% success rate. One of his improvements was to make an Adobe Illustrator template that improve the center of mass balance for your beetlebot.