Frequently Asked Questions
For education and research YouTube is very helpful. Here's a link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/lisawinterx
Where can I purchase parts to build a robot?
The answer to this has a large range; from toy stores to specialty robot marketplaces and everything in between. I'll list a few of my favorites:
- local hardware stores (WD-40, zip ties, lawnmower wheels, tools that can be turned into weapons...)
- RobotMarketPlace (motors, wheels, transmitters, speed controllers, batteries... all made especially for building robots)
- McMaster (my favorite for everything and they're fast shipping, but beware it's expensive)
- ToysRUs (sandboxes) [UPDATE: ToysRUs has closed]
- AmpFlow (for the best motors of all shapes and sizes, made especially for combat robots)
- Amazon (everything you need at possibly a slightly cheaper price)
How do I build a robot?
Where can I purchase parts to build a robot?
The answer to this has a large range; from toy stores to specialty robot marketplaces and everything in between. I'll list a few of my favorites:
- local hardware stores (WD-40, zip ties, lawnmower wheels, tools that can be turned into weapons...)
- RobotMarketPlace (motors, wheels, transmitters, speed controllers, batteries... all made especially for building robots)
- McMaster (my favorite for everything and they're fast shipping, but beware it's expensive)
- ToysRUs (sandboxes) [UPDATE: ToysRUs has closed]
- AmpFlow (for the best motors of all shapes and sizes, made especially for combat robots)
- Amazon (everything you need at possibly a slightly cheaper price)
How do I build a robot?
I want to attend competitions to see the action up close, where can I go?
I suggest looking at these events:
FIRST - happens everywhere, for all ages, kid oriented (https://www.firstinspires.org/)
MakerFaire - a great event for the Do It Yourself culture, events happen everywhere (http://makerfaire.com/map/)
All of these events are a lot of fun and very educational. Make sure to go up and talk to the builders. We're all very friendly and helpful :)
[Unfortunately RoboGames is canceled, starting 2019]
I suggest looking at these events:
FIRST - happens everywhere, for all ages, kid oriented (https://www.firstinspires.org/)
MakerFaire - a great event for the Do It Yourself culture, events happen everywhere (http://makerfaire.com/map/)
All of these events are a lot of fun and very educational. Make sure to go up and talk to the builders. We're all very friendly and helpful :)
[Unfortunately RoboGames is canceled, starting 2019]