Page 23 - Build a Remote Controlled Robot

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INTRODUCTION

FIGURE I-12. Motorized wheel.

There are several ways to set up a steering system for your
robot. A robot must have a minimum of three wheels in order
to work, and how you power and mount the wheels will affect
your control of the robot. Figure I-13 shows the combinations
available. All the combinations require two motorized wheels
and at least one swiveling wheel for balance. This was the sys-
tem I used in Questor. By making one motorized wheel go for-
ward or in reverse, while the other is off or going forward, you
can very effectively steer a robot. Table I-1 charts the combi-
nations for steering with this system. All this “control” is pro-
vided by the next subsystem, the remote control system.

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
The ability to remotely control your robot is a big part of its
appeal. The two types of remote control are wired and wireless.
Basically, what you are doing with either system is tripping
switches to control robot functions. Figure I-14 shows the two
systems, as used for Questor.