Robotics for Beginners

Building a working robot may sound like an intimidating project, but newcomers have plenty of educational resources available to help get them started. A number of robotic kits are created specifically with first-time builders in mind. Robotics for beginners is an exciting and rewarding undertaking, and it is an excellent way to learn a range of scientific concepts. These include mechanics, the physics of motion, the use of energy sources and even basic programming as it applies to robotics. The only real prerequisites for beginners of any age, is a desire to learn and a willingness to investigate why a robotic project may not work perfectly the first time around.

Basic Parts and Tools
Robotic kits typically start simple and move up in complexity as each builder gains more confidence and experience. The most basic kits are designed to first teach beginners proper tool usage, and many kits include tools such as:

• Fuel cell batteries
• Wrenches and screwdrivers specially sized for robotics projects
• Solar cell battery packs

Beginner kits typically come with all needed parts already fabricated, and the builder's main job is to fit them together correctly. These kits include printed instructions, so checking for possible mistakes is a relatively simple process. A number of kits for younger beginners have parts that lock together without the need for any separate tools.

Types of Kits for Beginners

Some of the most popular kits instruct newcomers in building robotic toy cars, trucks and transformer robots. Many of these are powered with rechargeable fuel cell or solar-powered batteries, and building with them is a fun way to learn exactly how these sources of alternative energy work. A few favorite kits for beginners contain fuel cells that run on salt water. One important part of robotics for beginners is learning how to assemble these clean-energy mechanisms correctly.

Learning Robotics for Beginners

Kit instructions are good places to start for learning robotics, but many beginners benefit from more interactive lessons. A good number of helpful video tutorials are available online, and some robotic enthusiasts also offer tips to newcomers through forums and blogs. Robotic camps provide face-to-face instruction and demonstrations of the possibilities associated with learning this exciting hobby. As newcomers master basic robot building from kits, they can gradually move into completing more advanced projects that require more technical knowledge. In these cases, a robotics camp is one of the best choices for getting the most out of this educational opportunity.

Scientific Concepts in Robotics Education

Robotics for beginners teaches the practical application of several different science disciplines, and many newcomers do not initially realize how much they are learning from assembling a robot from a kit. Putting the needed parts together introduces basic concepts of kinetics, and assembling a robot's rechargeable power sources teaches the specific function of clean energy. Learning beginning robotics can help anyone actively understand these ideas on a better level. For more details on how to get started, interested beginners can contact us for robotic kits information.

November Robot Kit Giveaway

We're continuing our monthly giveaway contest into November! Enter below as many times as you like, in as many ways as you like, to gain points. The more points you accrue, the better your chances are of winning. The winner will be announced at the end of the month and contacted via email. All entries are free!


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Family Review Center Gives Our 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers Prestigious Gold Award

Read their full review here

DESCRIPTION: An innovative solar science kit that encourages children to exercise their sense of creativity and imagination. It features all snap together plastic parts (no screws, tools required), solar panel and accessories. It is incredibly easy to assemble the 7 different modules: 2 power charging stations and 5 different vehicles.

The transforming rechargeable station has 2 output plugs; one for solar recharging and the other for battery recharging. Amazingly, the battery charging station can bring the selected unit to full power in about 5 seconds and the solar recharging station will fully recharge in approximately 120 seconds. The fun time - run time is approximately 50-80 seconds.

Similar to OWI's other mini solar kits, if you have sun, you have power. Enjoy five different vehicles: Solar Car, Concept Car, Bulldozer, Dump Truck and Concept Racer (1.87"x1.74"x3.64"), Concept racer (1.02"x1.74"x4.18")

REVIEWER NOTES: With this kit you can create 5 different solar powered vehicles (one at a time). Comes with a power station that allows you to recharge the vehicles with sun or battery. It takes about 2 minutes to fully recharge it using solar power, and about 5 seconds using battery power. It will then run for about a minute to a minute and a half once fully charged. The 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers are easy to snap together, so children will usually not need assistance from any adult but adults may want to supervise, just to get in on the fun!

This is a great way to introduce children to the power of solar energy. A simple way to explain it and see it in action. Our favorite was the Concept Racer. We would love to hear which one was your favorite, once you try them out!

Benefits of Robotics for Kids

Robotic education provides kids opportunities to learn core science concepts with a fun, active approach. One of the biggest challenges to teaching young students science is demonstrating these concepts in an engaging way. Robotic kits are designed to help kids learn how solar power works, how physics allow motion and how machines function with the correct commands from humans.

Assembling and experimenting with robotics is ideal for kinaesthetic learners of any age group. These are the students who have difficulty sitting at desks and reading or writing down word definitions or similar material. The ideas have little meaning for these learners unless they get to put them into practice. For example, building and manipulating hands-on projects. Building with robotic kits benefits these kids by connecting science and technology concepts to real-world applications.

Robotics for Kids in Practice and Research

Kids who begin learning robotics early, often develop more confidence in themselves and positive attitudes towards taking on challenging tasks, whether in science or other areas. Some research indicates that young learners who work independently on basic robotics kit projects, strengthen their abilities to follow detailed instructions. They can also improve their problem solving skills over time by completing a series of robotic kits that gradually increase in difficulty. Not every kid may move on to become a dedicated hobbyist who creates original mechanical projects, but all of them can benefit from the skills they will learn with educational robotic kits.

Some other useful concepts kids will learn from robotics include how tools and machine parts work together. Each robotic kit comes with prefabricated parts that need to be fitted together in a specific way for the entire project to work correctly. Working with robotic components and required tools may take practice and will probably not go smoothly the very first time, but these kinds of tasks are instrumental in helping kids develop patience, dedication and persistence.

Robotic Kits Available for Kids

Available kits range from simple to complex and many kids with no previous experience can put together beginning projects successfully. The complexity and difficulty of any finished device depends on the end results. Putting together a solar-powered set of model-sized vehicles will foster understanding of how the included solar panels convert sunlight to energy. The same type of robotic kit also allows for individual creativity. One popular example is the beginner level 7-in-1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers.

Another kit that lets kids put educational robots into action is the 3-in-1 All Terrain Robot. The finished robot can move in multiple directions with the use of a wired remote control. Finishing and experimenting with this robotic project is a fun way for kids to learn the basics of motion dynamics. This type of project also encourages development of hand-eye coordination.

A more advanced kit for young robot enthusiasts is the Weasel, a robot with plenty of high-tech features. The completed Weasel comes fitted with a photo sensor, can navigate its way around a line and has a wall sensor!

Each of these robotic kits demonstrates the potential of educational robotics as either a supplement or an addition to a standard science curriculum. Completing these hands-on projects builds both concept understanding and reinforces kids' confidence in their own abilities. Other benefits include improved problem-solving skills and creative decision-making capabilities.

Research in Education Robotics for Kids

As technology moves forward by leaps and bounds, the educational needs of our children must change. Science and technology have become integral in our daily lifestyles, and as a result, there is more of a need than ever for children to be exposed to concepts and ideas that can make them competitive in the global economy. One area that is certain to see more growth is robotics. Below are some of the way that robotics can be essential to your child's education.

Benefits of Robotics for Kids

Research in education robotics for kids, show that children who have exposure to robotics tend to do better in the fields of science, technology engineering and math (STEM). These fields are more important than every globally, and their importance will not be lessening any time soon. Research in robotics education for kids, show that if you want your child to be a viable part of tomorrow's economy, STEM skills are invaluable.

• Robotics help to foster creativity and problem-solving skills. There are countless applications of robot technology at play in the modern world. They all share one thing in common: they all provide a solution to an existing problem. Whether they robotics are used on a factory assembly line, or in a hospital operating room, or a NASA lab, robots provide creative solutions that augment our human abilities. Research in education robotics for kids, show that early exposure helps to foster technical creativity when faced with problems.
• Exposure to robotics helps to build confidence. Nothing inspires like a completed task. Kids everywhere love being presented with challenges, and they love meeting and exceeding expectations. Robotic technology allows kids to identify problems and develop ideas to fix them, and then build the conceived solution. In a world that can often leave people with little to no autonomy, this is unbelievably empowering for anyone, especially a child.
• Research in robotic education for kids show that robotics classes help foster stronger peer grouping in the classroom. Collaborative projects and group research help strengthen children's social bonds and identity. Spending time working with peers to create and develop solutions to real-world issues, help children find their voice - and helps to develop the compassion to hear the voice of others. 

Stronger peer connections, empowerment through problem-solving, creativity, and more career options - robotics technology can enrich your child's life in many ways. Don't get blinded by the research in education robotics for kids, though. Above all else, robotics are fun for everyone!

Robotics for Kids in Practice and Research

Research in robotic education for kids makes it apparent that the next area of growth in the field is developing a new generation of research scientists that are comfortable with robotics as a concept. The availability of affordable and effective robotic tools for children makes the development of the scientists of tomorrow that much easier.

Robotic Kits Available for Kids

Thankfully, there are so many option available that offers a wide variety of robotic sets for kids. We offer several sets for kids that fit virtually any temperament and interest level. Solar-powered robots, transforming robots, 3-in-1 multi-part kits or robotic insects. At OWI Robotics, we try and help foster the scientists of tomorrow!

Contact us now at OWI Robotics for more information about robotics for kids!

Robotics Projects for Engineering Students

An Introduction to Programming Robots

A robot requires to be programmed; it is basic instructions on what it is supposed to execute. This is because without programming, the robot is considered as a machine without inbuilt intelligence.

What is Robotic Programming?

Robotics programming is basically assigning a set of instructions for the robot to execute. The programming is responsible for the artificial intelligence fed into the robots system.

Robotics Programming Language

Most robots are programmed from scratch while others are embedded with a pre-existing programming framework.

• RAIL - Considered the best programming language for robotics projects that require manipulation and vision.
• AML - Acronym for a Manufacturing Language, it was developed by the IBM Corporation. It is a sub-routine and implemented to manage assembly robots and Cartesian arm for hydraulic machines.
• VAL - Acronym for Variable Assembly Language which is designed with a simple syntax, hence, can be used by anyone.
• AL - AL robot language is a product of the Stanford University Artificial Lab, hence the initials. Also, based on Pascal, it incorporates a big mainframe computer and several hardware components like memory and a floating processor. 
• RPL - It was designed by SRI International and can be used by an unskilled programmer because of its simple syntax. It is designed for checking, improving and correcting control algorithms. 

Where to find Robot Programming Code?

Programming code can be bought or comes with a robotics kit from the manufacturer. In some instances, it is embedded in the robot before assembly. In the case of assembly from scratch, software manufacturers offer other simple programs that are also as effective.

Our Robots

Since 1980, we have ventured into expanding our consumer base and product range, while giving back to the educational community. We also venture to supply engineering students and other hobbyists in their various areas of specialty; robotics and solar technology.

Types of Projects Completed by Robotic Engineering Students

Previous models of robots are in our midst; we might not fully realize when the interaction happens, but they have become an integral part of our society today. These robots are the previous brain children of engineering students who worked hard to make our society better and more convenient.

• Line Follower - This type of robot has a sensor embedded in its system or chassis and it is programmed to seek a predetermined line, hence the name. The line guides the robots to do an iterative job, hence creating a routine. A good example is the Weasel robot.
• Obstacle Avoidance - This robot employs the phenomena of insect like antennas. These antennas help the robot to avoid obstacles by changing direction. 
• BEAM Robots -  The acronym BEAM, stands for Biology, Electronics, Aesthetic and Mechanics. They mimic real living creatures; a good example is the Salt Water Fuel Cell Giant Arachnoid Kit.

New Robotic Project Ideas

Engineers can use the existing knowledge on robotics to come up with new types of robots for new applications. Some exquisite ideas include:

• Voice operated fire detecting and extinguishing robot equipped with a camera and vocal processors that can be controlled offsite. In addition, it should have a sprinkler to extinguish fire based on voice commands.
• Mobile phone controlled robot; for scheduling tasks like one would by calling home or work. Can use both text or voice calls to receive messages.

We have some of these robots already in the pipeline at www.owirobot.com. Feel free to check them out and experience it yourself!

Introduction to Programming Robots

What is Robotics programming?

When the average person thinks of robotics or robotics programming, images of science fiction mechanized androids like C3P0 or R2D2 tend to come to mind. Robotics, however, is a highly specialized hobby and area of study, and brings together the varied disciplines of mechanical engineering, manufacturing, electronics and computer science in fascinating and exciting ways. Robotics programming is the use of various programming languages and programmable devices to design the complex algorithms which control a robot's behavior, resourcefullness, and automation abilities. This code is often transferred to microcontrollers which offer a small and portable way to run the code without having to attach a large, power-dependent controller like a personal computer or a laptop.

Robotics programming languages

There are several options when it comes to the language used to program a robotic device, from the most basic to advanced, specific forms of well-known programming languages. The choice of programming language depends on several factors, the most important of which are one's goals in creating a robot and any previous familiarity one might have with a language. For example, for an experienced C programmer, C would be a good choice. If he or she is planning to create a simple robot, coding in Assembly would be excessively complicated for very little gain.

Assembly: Assembly is the most basic of all programming languages, and involves the programmer telling the machine directly what to do. The tools available to the programmer are only the most basic arithmetic operations and a few others. Advanced input and output functions or control loops have to be created by hand. This language give the programmer a lot of power and leads to code that is small in size and extremely efficient, but it is very difficult to learn and master.

C: C is much easier to learn and use than Assembly, but still offers considerable power and portability for robot applications. Considering the wide usage of C code in all manner of technical and computing areas, there is a wealth of resources available online and in print for learning to program in C.

Basic: Basic is another popular programming language, which was built with an extensive focus on ease of use. Robotics programming using Basic can therefore be considerably faster and easier than using other programming languages, but the tradeoff is that microcontrollers programmed with Basic are somewhat less powerful than their C or Assembly counterparts.

Where to find robot programming code

For some programming code that's readily available on the internet, it would be a good idea to check our the CLARAty Project, a system of recyclable robotics software. The project is a collaborative work between the Universities of Minnesota and Carnegie Mellon, as well as NASA's Ames Research Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A wide variety of advanced modules are available for public download.

Another great choice for getting started is to utilize the Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio platform, a well-supported and well-maintained framework for creating a wide range of robots. Microsoft provides an extensive library of tutorials and sample code, and the latest build even includes support for building robots that utilize a Kinect sensor!

Robotics from OWI Robot
Anybody who is interested in computer engineering should consider robotics programming - a rewarding lifetime hobby might even come of it! Even those experienced with robotics programming should consider finding their next robotics kit at www.owirobot.com. We offer a wide selection of robots in a variety of sizes, styles and functions all at affordable prices, and we're sure to offer something that will be a blast to program!