Robotics is a growing field that combines several aspects of engineering into single projects. By building a single robot, you can easily harness skills across electrical and mechanical engineering, along with computer science. It’s a catch-all industry that offers a great jumping point for beginners seeking engineering skills.
The Open Source Turtle Robot (OSTR) was created as the basis for a two-day workshop where high school students could gain hands-on experience with engineering concepts. The finished robot even creates interesting pieces of art via pen plotting with Turtle graphics.
The project is Arduino compatible for ease of programming and powered by 4 AA batteries to make it cost effective. Stepper motors were chosen for accurate motion, and the parts were 3D printed for easy customization.
The pricing is structured based on whether you have access to a 3D printer. You can purchase the electronics kit, 3D parts, and hardware separately as needed. While this is a complex project, it was designed with beginners in mind. Detailed instructions are available as well.
The goal was to create a project that’s easy to build and program, while also giving it the ability to do something interesting. Check out the video below for a look at the finished project, and the art it creates!
