When was the last time you built a robot? Today’s technology allows for all kinds of robotic creations, but there is always something satisfying about building it yourself. Vorpal The Hexapod, from Tindie seller Vorpal Robotics Store, is a full kit that lets you create a Bluetooth controlled robot all on your own.
Vorpal is an Arduino-based, 3D printed, Scratch programmable kit that you control via Bluetooth. It can be used for gaming, to teach programming concepts, or anything in between. The kit comes with the components, cables, and servo motors.
You’ll need to print the 3D pieces yourself, but they are all open-source so you can modify them as needed. You’ll also need two 18650 lithium-ion batteries but no soldering is required. The seller recommends the EBL 3000 mAh “white top” batteries, as they offer a longer run time.
Once built, Vorpal includes three games: Capture the Flag, Joust, and Fidget Spinner Challenge. New activities are continuously being added on the Vorpal Robotics website. Vorpal supports the MIT Scratch drag-and-drop programming language. You can create new leg motions using Scratch and upload them using the SD card in the gamepad.
Everything from the Arduino source code, to the 3D print models, are all public and open-source. Check out the video below for a quick demo.
