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Not only fans of the Transformers film will appreciate remote-controlled vehicles and robots. Even the simplest constructions provide a lot of fun, especially when we build them ourselves. In the simplest aspect, they help to fight boredom, but there are also those that help us understand programming and even teach us the basics of electronics. For many people, the good news is that you don’t have to be an electronics or robotics engineer right away to build a remote-controlled vehicle yourself – there are many models available such as educational robots for children, constructions for electronics beginners, advanced and complicated robots for special tasks.
Depending on the level of advancement and familiarity with robots, everyone can choose something for themselves. Additionally, for those who have their own ideas and do not intend to limit themselves to what the manufacturer of the robot has prepared, the market offers many chassis, also diversified in their construction, which will be an ideally prepared base for all – both small and large projects.
Simple robots for children and beginners
Electronics have become so widespread that not only can we find them in toys, but there are also toys that aim to teach electronics. Items in this category, will make excellent gifts for children and for beginners.
Police car from Clementoni
Construction kit from the Mechanics Lab series which allows you to build one of two models of remote-controlled police vehicles. The construction of one is described in the manual included in the package, the other in the dedicated mobile application. The set includes the engine, control system module, receiver and radio remote control. The sets of this series allow children to take their first steps in creating their own models and working with engines and systems commonly used in mechanics.
Apitor Robot X
A set to build not one, not two, but as many as 12 robots! It consists of 600 Lego bricks (they are compatible with them), motors, controller and sensors. The models built with the Apitor Robot X set are controlled via a mobile application. The advantage of the set is the fact that you do not have to limit yourself to the 12 models shown in the application, which, by the way, is quite a lot anyway – the number of bricks and their compatibility with bricks from other manufacturers allows you to build an unlimited number of projects.
Waveshare PicoGo Mobile Robot
Another item leaning more towards robots than toys is the PicoGo Mobile Robot. This is a platform that, using the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller module (sold separately!), allows you to create a remotely controlled robot. It comes with a distance sensor, LCD display and line tracking sensor. While interacting with the robot, you can learn programming in micro Python. It can work in several modes: obstacle avoidance, line tracking, object tracking and remote control mode via bluetooth and infrared remote control.
Robots for intermediates
If you have already had contact with robots, electronics or programming, and you expect something more, the next items should hit the spot. They require more attention, are more complex and feature a more complicated design.
Waveshare AlphaBot Pi Acce Pack
A versatile two-wheeled platform with line, velocity, proximity and remote control sensors that, together with a camera for Raspberry Pi, makes a slightly richer than basic version of the AlphaBot – Pi Acce Pack. It is compatible with popular minicomputers like Arduino and Raspberry Pi (except for the Raspberry Pi 4 model), which can be connected both separately and together. The platform is fairly simple to assemble – just bolt on the motors, wheels and add the target computer. On this platform the motor controller, voltage regulator and AC/DC converter are already built in.
Pololu Balboa 32u4 KIT
Balancing robot for self-assembly – Balboa 32u4 KIT consisting of: main board with ATmega32u4, motor controllers, encoders and 3-axis gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer. The platform is based on Arduino controller and has the possibility of programming via USB. In addition, wheels, batteries and a pair of micro series motors are required for the robot to fully function.
Totem Mini Trooper from TotemMaker
The Totem Mini Trooper fighting robots are made up of blocks which makes them very adaptable both functionally and in terms of appearance. They are controlled via Bluetooth with a smartphone from a dedicated app. They have a movable arm moving on the up-down axis, and powerful DC motors, so you can play mini golf or overcome an obstacle course on your own. Using a minimum of 2 robots of this series will enable multiplayer games such as wrestling, football or billiards. The robot is designed for self-assembly.
Pololu Zumo 32u4
The slow but armoured Zumo 32u4 fighting robot from Pololu comes fully assembled from the factory. On board it has four ultrasonic distance sensors, a compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, buzzer, button, OLED display, sensor array for line tracking, motor controller along with two encoders. It has a crawler drive and a massive plough is mounted on the front of the robot. The two 100:1 motors do not guarantee high speed, but they have a very high torque of 1.7 kg*cm. The robot is Arduino compatible and can be programmed via USB. Minisumo also provides for various expansion options with further sensors.
Advanced Robots
We move on to the chapter for real robot enthusiasts, and people who would like to bring their construction ideas into reality. Not everyone will be able to cope with advanced robots, as knowledge of the subject is required to operate them. If you are confident in your skills, ideas for new activities are coming to you at every step and you want to possess professional equipment, see below what you can count on.
Ultimate Robot Kit 2.0
The most extensive kit of the Makeblock system – the Ultimate Robot Kit 2.0 gives you endless possibilities to build advanced robots. The kit includes 10 sample constructions, but you don’t have to limit yourself to them – mobile robots, stationary robots, robotic arms, remote carriages, manipulators are just a few suggestions that you can confidently modify and add and remove elements. The construction elements are made of high quality aluminium. The robots constructed from the kit parts operate on the basis of Arduino Mega platform. More advanced users can use Arduino IDE with a set of libraries, but you can also use the graphical environment. The robot can also be controlled using applications for smartphones and tablets.
JetRacer
Based on the Nvidia Jetson Nano development platform, the four-wheeled platform supports deep learning artificial intelligence algorithms. The JetRacer robot is equipped with a camera, which makes it possible to use deep learning neural networks and, for example, drive autonomously thanks to its ability to visually recognise a set route. With the next pass through a given location, the system collects more data and thus extends the driving model, allowing the vehicle to drive autonomously in the area. The platform is built with an aluminium chassis, strong metal motors, OLDE display, motor controller, servo, and Wifi and Bluetooth wireless communication module.
JetRacer Pro
The Pro version of the JetRacer robot is distinguished by Ackerman steering, an additional cooling fan, the use of a high-speed brush motor and the use of the Nvidia Jetson Nano Pro Platform. It also requires a more powerful power supply, so it requires 4 batteries (the weaker version requires 3). The vehicle can be used for high level robot competitions. Both versions of the vehicles support platforms such as Nvidia, TensorFlow, OpenCV, Python, TensorRT and Keras and PyTorch. Also included is a map with a driving track and a controller to control the vehicle remotely.
DJI RoboMaster S1
The kit consists of components for self-assembly of the RoboMaster robot by DJI. It includes 46 programmable components, 6 programmable AI modules, HD FPV camera and Omni 4-wheel drive, among others. It allows users to understand science such as maths, physics, programming and more through immersive entertainment modes and intelligent features. The robot can be programmed in Python and Scratch. Six PWM ports and one SBUS port, support custom accessories, providing further expansion options for the robot – additional accessories can be purchased separately.
RoboMaster can be controlled by a remote control using SBUS protocol, by means of an external programming board it is possible to program complex codes. Its most important functions are: line recognition, character recognition, object tracking, sound commands, gesture recognition and recognition of other robots.
Robot and vehicle chassis
If ready-made robots are not for you and you have an idea for a real engineering approach, programming, soldering and custom solutions you can use the chassis itself as a base for your invention. Depending on your ambitions, the complexity of your project or simply the cost, you can equip yourself with a simple chassis, or an armoured metal chassis such as a crawler. Note, however, that such a solution will need additional motor drivers if the platform you are using does not support this functionality.
Chassis Rectangle 2WD
The Chassis Rectangle 2WD is a transparent robot platform made of acrylic. It is equipped with two 65mm diameter wheels and two motors. The front part is supported by a metal spinning wheel. On the surface of the platform there are numerous mounting holes for various components – wires through sensors to whole minicomputers and development boards.
Feetech FT-MC-003-KIT 4WD
Four-wheeled platform powered by four FM90 servo motors with a maximum speed of 0.07 s/60° and a torque of 1.3 kg*cm. All four wheels are made of plastic and covered with silicone tyres with a diameter of 60 mm. The platform FT-MC-003-KIT is made of aluminium and has numerous openings on its surface to allow components to be assembled in different configurations. This kit is intended for self-assembly.
DFRobot Black Gladiator
Made of aluminium, the track-driven Black Gladiator chassis provides versatility and durability. It features two DC motors, which can be controlled by any microcontroller or minicomputer, such as Raspberry Pi or Arduino. The robust construction and its rectangular shape, along with the many available holes, is a good basis for both simple and advanced projects.
DFRobot Devastator
Aluminium, tracked chassis for robots, with additional increased payload capacity. The Devastator comes with two metal DC motors and tracks along with the necessary mounting hardware. It has many holes allowing components from sensors to large modules and entire minicomputers to be mounted, not only on top of the chassis but even on the front panel. The complex suspension together with the crawler drive and 45:1 geared motors will enable it to overcome even the most difficult terrain.
