Page 25 - Build a Remote Controlled Robot

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INTRODUCTION

FIGURE I-14. Wireless and wired controls.

first is a transmitter. This is what you will use to control your
robot. The transmitter sends signals to a receiver. The receiver
is the second part of the system; it uses the signals to control
servos, the third part of the system. A servo takes decoded sig-
nals from the receiver and uses them to turn a motor. Figure
I-15 shows a complete wireless system. Systems like this one
are readily available from your local hobby shop. The motor in
a servo is very powerful for its size and can be used to trip
switches within your robot and control it. Figure I-16 shows
the servo/switch control system.

POWER SUPPLY
How to power a robot is another area where the beginning
robot builder can experience difficulty. Here my KISS philoso-
phy can again help. You will find, as I did, that different systems
have different power needs. The use of rechargeable batteries to
power each of these systems is the simplest solution.
Question uses four rechargeable batteries. Two are 6-volt
batteries wired together to supply the 12 volts needed to
power the drive wheels, main lights, and vacuum cleaner. The