“A programmable 6-legged robot with Lego, Arduino, and two off-the-shelf DC gear-motors for project-based STEM learning.
Legged robots have always been one of the most interesting creations in the robotic industry as they could help us in exploring mysterious lunar caves and other space exploration missions. In fact, legged robots are mobile robots with articulated leg mechanisms that provide locomotion on rough trains. As compared with wheeled robots, they can move on different terrains, although, at a slower speed.
Legged robots are often complicated to make and control, as it requires precise control of each leg to maintain balance. In this project, we are aiming to make a fun and easy-to-build six-legged robot with LEGO Technic components and an Arduino board (Fig A).
To do so, we took advantage of interesting mechanical mechanisms that simulate the walking pattern of a six-legged insect, with only one or two DC gear motors. The result came up pretty interesting and pleasing to watch. Don’t forget to follow our step-by-step instructions outlined below, and let us know what you think about this subject by commenting below. Your feedback will help us to improve our future work.
Fig A - Electrical assembly
In this tutorial, we will show you how to build a robotic hexapod, a six-legged robot, that can walk similar to an insect (Fig B). You will make the body and the leg mechanisms of the robot using LEGO Technic parts. Then, commercially available DC gear motors will be connected to the leg mechanism to move the legs.
In the next step, you will need to add a brain to your robot to control its motions. Therefore, we will use Arduino UNO as an intelligent brain (Fig C). Arduino enables you to expand your hexapod’s possibilities with various commercially available motors, sensors, shields, and modules.”