The Insect Bot mini is a super - fun and easy - to - assemble robot suitable for young engineers aged 6 to 100. By putting this robot together, you'll grasp the basics of robotics and understand how all the components work in harmony. It features a microcontroller, which acts as the robot's brain, and two servo motors for smooth movement. The IR sensor on its head serves as an 'eye', detecting obstacles ahead. Programming is a breeze - just connect the Beetle controller to your computer's USB port. It's the perfect starting point for Arduino - based robot building. The Insectbot's brain is the 'world's smallest Leonardo', also known as the Beetle, great for DIY and wearable projects. Its body uses two 9 - gram servos powered by a rechargeable 3.7V LiPo battery, and the infrared sensor acts as its eyes. We offer three programming languages: Ardublock, Mind+, and Arduino IDE. Beginners can use visual programming in Ardublock and Mind+ by simply dragging and dropping pre - designed blocks. Advanced DIYers can customize the Arduino IDE. Tools like a soldering iron, scissors, screwdriver, and pliers are needed (not included in the kit). Check the guide if your sensor wiring is switched. Included in the shipping list are a Beetle, Beetle Shield, 9g micro servos, Sharp IR sensor, LiPo battery with charger, steel wires, ABS sheet, double - sided foam tape, and cable ties. There are also related projects like Xinchejian Workshop and Letsmakerobots, along with useful documents such as the wiki, assembly guide, and programming codes.
Using the Insect Bot mini is a great way to learn about robotics. First, gather the necessary tools like a soldering iron, scissors, screwdriver, and pliers. Start assembling the robot following the assembly guide. The Beetle acts as the brain, and you'll need to connect the servo motors and the IR sensor properly. For programming, if you're a beginner, use Ardublock or Mind+ by dragging and dropping blocks. Advanced users can use Arduino IDE. When programming, connect the Beetle to your computer via USB. Remember, the tools are not included in the kit. If you find the sensor wiring is switched, check the guide. To maintain the robot, keep it in a dry place. When not in use, remove the LiPo battery to prevent over - discharging. If the servo motors seem to move sluggishly, check the battery charge. And always handle the sharp IR sensor carefully to avoid damage.
