Design Robot System
30 minutesDefine robot purpose, chassis type, motor count, and microcontroller platform.
Beginner1-2 weeks
First Robot Build
Complete guide for first robot build — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
robotics beginnersSTEM students
Workflow
Size Motors and Battery
45 minutesCalculate required motor torque for payload and incline, and estimate battery runtime.
Build Hardware
2-4 hoursAssemble chassis, mount motors and wheels, wire motor driver and power distribution.
Test and Debug
1 hourUpload motor test sketch, verify wheel direction, and measure actual travel distance per rotation.
Tools Used
- Robot Shaft Torque and Gear Power CalculatorPrimary
Size DC motors for payload weight and maximum incline angle.
- Robot Battery Mission Energy PlannerPrimary
Estimate runtime from battery capacity and expected motor load.
- PWM Duty Cycle CalculatorSupporting
Set PWM duty cycle limits for safe motor speed during initial tests.
- Wheel Circumference & DistanceReference
Calibrate distance traveled per encoder tick or motor revolution.
Checklist
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Safety
Planning
Execution
Quality
Reference Materials
Beginner Robot PartsTable
Key benchmarks for first robot build.
| Component | Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | DC geared | 6-12V |
| Driver | L298N or TB6612 | 2A+ per channel |
| Battery | LiPo 2S-3S | Match motor voltage |
Torque RequiredFormula
Torque = force × wheel radius — size motor for incline + payload
Battery SafetyStandard
LiPo requires fire-safe bag for charging — never puncture.
LiPo Safety
Never leave LiPo batteries charging unattended — charge in a fire-safe bag away from flammable materials.
One Motor First
Test each motor individually before enabling differential drive — catches wiring errors early.
Kit vs Scratch
Beginner robot kits include matched motors and drivers — cheaper than sourcing incompatible parts separately.
Safety Notes
- Charge LiPo batteries in a fire-safe bag and never puncture or short the cells.
- Keep fingers clear of wheels and gears during motor tests — add a physical emergency stop switch.