14 DAY TRIAL // Arduino is a relatively simple type of computer code, but it is also versatile enough that you can use it to create virtually any sort of device, so long as you don't expect it to be capable of miracles. That includes robots, as we're about to be shown (again).
Many people take the word “robot” as meaning humanoid automaton built by man or some other race from fiction. However, that doesn't encompass the full meaning of the term.
Instead, the term encompasses all sorts of automatons or semi-automatic contraptions with the ability to move themselves, or parts of themselves, from point A to point B through whatever means.
Robot Walkers are the bots that can, you got it, walk. It also is a term that doesn't say how the thing walks. It could use two legs, it could use three, it could even use eight. The point is that walkers have LEDs instead of tracks or some other contraption.
Four-legged walkers seem to be especially popular with humankind. One such walker has been created by a certain Instructables user called Randy.
The 3D printed four-legged walker robot
In truth, it's not totally accurate to call this a 3D printed robot, since only a part of it is 3D printed. Sure, it's the central part, but the electronic components have to be bought separately.
More importantly, you don't get to print the legs. Instead, you have to use pencils to fill in their role. Four pencils affixed to the main body via rubber backings.
All in all, the robot isn't intended to be practical at all, except as a means to entertain your kids or friends from time to time. Not very young kids though, since the pencils aren't totally safe for them as it is. Especially if they're sharpened.
On that note, if you do sharpen them and program the Arduino code properly, you can turn the robot into one that can draw.
And so we reach the one area where some practicality can, in fact, be gleamed: you can use the bot as practice for software coding and programming. Randy supplies the base Arduino Micro code though, so you don't have to worry about it.
How to make one of these robot pencil-legged walkers
The first step is to head to Instructables and download the plans. Then you have to visit a household item shop or general store to get the servos, battery, and everything else on the list that you can't 3D print. There are 15 steps to building the bot once you have printed the skeleton. Building the circuit might be the trickiest part, but it should be doable.
