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Tools/Materials:
- Paper or plastic cup
- Foam tape
- Low-voltage DC motor
(4 inches of wire on contacts) - 2 AAA batteries
- Wide rubber band
- Electrical tape
- Hot-glue gun
- 3 or more thin washable markers
How to Build an Art Bot
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1. Turn the cup upside down and layer foam tape on the bottom (which is now the top).
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2. Stick the motor onto the tape.
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3. Tape the batteries end to end, positive to negative, and stick them next to the motor.
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4. Wrap a rubber band around the batteries so it covers the terminals—you’ll tuck the ends of the motor’s wires under the rubber band later. Make sure everything is secure.
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5. Push a cork onto the rotating shaft of the motor. Off-center weight makes the bot shake, so hot-glue some craft supplies (beads, tongue depressor) onto the cork.
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6. For the bot’s legs, tape at least three markers around the rim of the cup, points down.
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7. Add googly eyes, pipe cleaners, bells—whatever pleases your small person.
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8. Place your robot on its canvas, put the wire ends under the rubber band, and watch a masterpiece unfold.
(This project is adapted from my book Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future (with 20 Projects), coming in August 2012 from Nomad Press.)
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