Have you ever wondered why & how the spinning top slows down? Is the movement uniform as it is about to stop? No.. Okay, you must have seen the toddler toys that move around a center and which have no direction of moving. Yes, we are talking about the wobbler toys.
Inspired by these fascinating movements, how about making our own wobble robot? Homemade wobblebot can be a wonderful diy robotics project for beginners & kids. So let’s understand what a wobble bot is and how you can make one at home.
What is a Wobblebot?
While not technically a robot, a wobble bot is a fun DIY robot that rotates & moves using wobbling vibrations. The off-center weight or pressure causes it to move unpredictably, without a specific direction, creating wobbling motion—just like a spinning top wobbles as it slows down.
A wobble bot is an ideal project for robotics enthusiasts, beginners eager to explore the world of robotics, and anyone curious about how different robotic movements work. Teachers can teach the related physics concepts showcasing the working model of wobblebot.
Now, let’s create a wobble bot using Havi’s robotics kit.
Things you need to make wobble bot
Elements:
Power – 1
Motor – 1
Accessories:
Gearless motor – 1
Power bank with USB cable
Craft material:
Project templates(Print ready downloadable)
Cardboard
Pins
Double-sided tape
Pensil attached eraser
Drop of a glue gun stick(Optional)
Contact us to get customized pack to make this project.
Making of homemade wobblebot
Step 1
Download the printable templates. Print the template on A4-sized paper and cut it as directed in the following image.
Map the curved part of the template onto a cardboard sheet and cut the cardboard into that shape.
Step 3
Use the blunt side of the cutter to create an equal partition on one side of the cardboard. This will help you fold the cardboard easily. Attach the corresponding template paper to it using double-sided tape.
Step 4
Similarly, map and cut the two circles from the cardboard. Stick the respective template part onto them using double-sided tape.
Step 5
Now, fold the curved part of the board into a glass shape, and at the bottom, fix the small circular cardboard using pins.
Step 6
At the center of the large circular cardboard, attach the gearless motor. Mark the area for double-sided tape as shown in the image. On the other side, fix the small circular eraser onto the motor shaft.
Step 7
Now, fix this large circular disc to the main glass-shaped bot using the pins. Make sure to keep the gearless motor inside the bot and pass the cable through the center square.
Step 8
Use the small circles and rectangles from the template to create the eyes and antenna of the wobble bot. Refer to the image below.
Step 9
Snap the Elements to make the circuit: Power + Motor. Connect the Power Element with the power bank using double-sided tape.
Step 10
Attach the gearless motor cable with the Power Element. Your wobble bot is ready..
Turn the power ON.
How does it work?
The basic electronics behind the wobble bot:
When you switch on the Power Element, the power bank passes the stored current to the Power Element. Subsequently, the Power Element transfers the current to the connected Motor Element, which provides the necessary current to the connected gearless motor and helps it to rotate. With this rotation, the connected wobble bot model starts rotating.
What makes the bot wobble?
Remember, how the spinning top wobbles? When the upper part, apart from the axes, touches the ground, it starts to wobble. In our wobble bot, the surface of the bot, along with the axes, touches the floor for a while, creating a wobbling effect.
The Wobbling effect primarily occurs due to an uneven surface or an uneven distribution of mass.. It works on the principle of angular momentum conservation, where changes in orientation occur without altering the angular speed.
How are Wobble bot and Wiggle bot different?
Like the wobble bot, the wiggle bot is another basic robot you can make at home. The primary difference between the two is the movement they create. The wobble bot’s movement is unpredictable, meaning it can move in any direction due to the vibrations it creates, while the wiggle bot’s movement is little controlled and simple. In the wiggle bot, the load is divided across multiple bases, whereas in the wobble bot, there is only one central base.
Checkout the example of wiggle bot as scribble bot.