DESIGNING A ROBOT 101

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Trying to create anything from scratch can be quite daunting, and especially if you are venturing into it for the fast for the first time. From baking a cake to designing a robot, the goal may seem unattainable. However, with the right ingredients, a clear recipe and drive within, every mountain is surmountable.

Key Questions



It is important to break down the goal of your design to the most fundamental level. Ask yourself:
  • What is the purpose of the robot I am building?
  • How will the robot function?
  • Where will my robot operate?
  • How large should my robot be?
Such questions are key to laying a foundation on the design process. Build up from these basic ones to advanced and specific questions about the functionality of the robot.
This elucidates the true magnitude and complexity of the work at hand. It is also necessary in order to identify the components needed to achieve the desired performance.

Creativity vs Actualization

If you have watched half the number of movies I have, chances are that you have a very high bar when it comes to the robot you want to design. Images of flashy, fast-moving, aesthetic designs fill the mind. While not necessarily beyond reach, several factors should be considered before reaching for the stars in our imaginations. These include:
  • Skill and knowledge level - for beginners especially, biting off more than you can chew can blow up on you quite fast. It is important to start simple and build the expertise needed to get to more complex designs.
  • Fabrication process - the fabrication process of the robot is a key pillar when considering its design. Keenly investigate the advantages and limitations of the available fabrication processes.
  • Budget and time constraints - sophisticated designs generally require higher expenses and take longer to complete. It is therefore vital to take note of the set limits of the design project.

Form vs Functionality


Practicality and visual appeal can seem to be mutually exclusive parts of a design. It is, however, needful to consider achieving both as much as possible. Different design principles prioritize one over the other, usually based on the target audience and market of the robot. A robot for commercial use, for instance, has a greater incentive to be aesthetic compared to one for personal use. Either way, compromises on functionality or form can be detrimental to the general regard of your design.

Computer Aided Design (CAD)


CAD is a convenient tool for any design. It has the capacity for rapid visualization and testing of different ideas in a more 'tangible' format than mental images and in a more versatile form than traditional methods such as drawing.
CAD tools such as OnShape, SolidWorks, Inventor etc can be a bit hectic to familiarize yourself with, but the effort taken in doing so is quickly rewarded by the power to turn abstract thoughts to accurate digital replications.

Bonus Tips

  • Think as thoroughly as possible through every detail of the design to minimize hurdles (though they may be inevitable) along the way.
  • Just do it. The only way to embark on a journey is to take the first step, scary as it may be.

References

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