Servo Magazine

So You Want To Build A ComBot - Basics of designing a featherweight Combat Robot from the ground up.

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Features

The Bioloid Premium Kit Wrap-Up

by Rob Farrell

In the Feb. ’10 issue, we covered the hardware components and assembly of the Bioloid Premium. This time, we’ll take a look at the vast capabilities of the RoboPlus software that comes with the kit.

Look Who’s Talking!

by Fred Eady

Explore this simple method that lets you and your robot play together in a wireless world.

Trade Two PWM Channels for a Whole Bunch of Switches

by Jim Miller

See how to perform surgery on a transmitter to gain more on/off switches and data from your rover.

Swarm Robots and Sensor Virtualization

by Mike Keesling

Ben has nothin’ on our Zhu Zhu hamsters when it comes to working together in a pack.

Projects

GPS Navigation — Part 2

by Chris Savage

Build a small robot to test and prove the theories discussed in Part 1.

So, You Want to Build a ComBot — Part 1

by Greg Intermaggio

This short series will cover the basics of designing a featherweight ComBot from the ground up using only tools you’d find in a home shop.

Columns

Robytes
by Jeff Eckert
Robytes
Stimulating Robot Tidbits

GeerHead
by David Geer
Penbo for Girls, Prime-8 for Boys
Penbo is an intuitive emotive penguin robot — complete with baby — for girls. Prime-8 is a macho, aggressive gorilla robot for boys. Together, they represent hours of playtime for kids of all ages.

Ask Mr. Roboto
by Dennis Clark
Ask Mr. Roboto
Your Problems Solved Here

Then and Now
by Tom Carroll
Robot Mobility
The single feature that distinguishes a robot from a computer or any other sort of electro-mechanical device is its ability to move — whether the movement is an appendage or a movable base. Most of us want our creations to move about our house, yard or in some location. To accomplish this, we have to select and build a method of mobility. For now, and I’ll concentrate on land vehicles only.

Combat Zone

Crossfire — From Broken Robot to Breaking Robots

by James Baker

in The Combat Zone

A veteran of televised robotic combat, the heavyweight robot “Edgehog” was still on frontline service when it entered the 2008 UK live event season.

Keeping Your Stuff Together

by Nick Martin

in The Combat Zone

Since screws were invented over 2,000 years ago, mankind has struggled to keep them from coming undone. In the past 100 years, many advances have been made, yet screws still loosen and no single solution works universally.

FingerTech Robotics’ Spark Motor Series

by Kevin Berry

in The Combat Zone

FingerTech Robotics ([url=http://www.fingertechrobotics.com]http://www.fingertechrobotics.com[/url]) has a new line of motors.

How Not to Die. I Mean, Build a Test Box

by Matthew Spurk

in The Combat Zone

You’ve just finished putting the finishing touches on your new insect class combat robot. You’ve spent the last three hours tirelessly wiring, soldering, grinding, tapping, cutting, and wrenching on your bot.

Combat Zone’s Greatest Hits

by Kevin Berry

in The Combat Zone

This month, CZ is experimenting with a new feature. We all know that creating bots is a fulfilling mental exercise, building them is satisfying craftsmanship, and going to events is great for bonding with your buds. But let’s face it — it’s about the destruction!