0 Body of a Robot

Types of Robots

For most of the robots, especially hobby robots, their body holds all the important parts. It is a superstructure that makes sure that the robot is not reduced to an electronic heap. It houses the major electronic platforms, it ensures that the robot doesn't tip over, protects the vital organs of the robot from wear. So the first thing we're gonna talk about are the types of robot bodies. There are the following major types of Robotic Bodies:

• Turtlebots - As the name suggests these are small bots which are capable of sitting (or moving) on your desktop and are some of the simplest to make. Their name inspires from the once prominent logo turtle graphics used in the 1970s (we all have learnt it our childhood isn't it?) and also because of the fact that their body resembles a turtle's shell. These bots are used extensively in hobby robotics (partly because they are inexpensive) and are powered by a simple rudimentary brain (BEAM robotics ) or a simple micro controller.
• Rovers - These are the category of rolling( on wheels ) or tracked robots which are designed for applications which require more power than turtle bots, like mowing a lawn, carrying things, or even searching mars for martians! Owing to this, they tend to be larger in both, brain and brawn. They can have anything between a simple transistor as a brain or a full fledged desktop with windows running!
• Walkers - A walking robot uses legs, not wheels or treads, to move about. Most walker bots have six legs, like an insect, as the six legs provide excellent support and balance. However, gaining in popularity are two- and four- legged walkers, which are more exciting and look more robotic! Walking robots require a greater precision in building. The design of the typical robot that rolls on wheels or even tank treads is very much simpler than that required for the legs, links, levers, and all other mechanisms used for walking. For this reason, beginners in the robot- building trade should opt for wheeled designs first to gain experience, even if the walking robot looks cooler.
• Arms and Grippers - Though they are considered as stationary robots, these appendages can be attached to mobile robots, enhancing their functionality. Imagine what we would do (or would not do) without our hands! In the same way, an arm extends the robots usability in a million ways.
• Humaniod - It's a robot which shares the same architecture as a human - a head, a torso, two legs, two arms, and possibly a brain too! This category of robots is something like a holy grail of robotics. Although we are nothing close to building a robot like Arnold Schwarzenegger (is that spelling right?) in The Terminator ( if one of them asks comes and asks you if you are Sarah Connor, say no!), even a moderately experienced builder can build a humanoid form.

Building Materials

There are literally thousands of materials out there just waiting to be used in your robotic endeavors, but how do you choose which one is better for the type of platform you want to work with? Here I present a list of some materials which you can get easily in any part of the world!

• Wood - It is an excellent material for robot bodies, especially multi- ply hardwoods, like the kind used for model airplanes and model sailboats. Common thicknesses are 1/8″ to 1/2″—perfect for most robot projects. It is easy to work with, almost any beginner can work with it. But the downside is its strength unless you use a reinforced ply board.
• Plastic - It boasts high strength, but is easier to work with than metal. You can cut it, shape it, drill it, even glue it, with common, everyday tools. My favorite is PCV expanded plastic. These sheets are available at industrial plastics supply outlets. Cheap and easy to work with.
• Foam board -  Art supply stores stock what’s known as foamboard (or Foam Core), a special construction material typically used for building models. It’s really a sandwich of paper or plastic glued to both sides of a layer of densely compressed foam. You can cut it with a knife or small hobby saw. Great stuff for quickie- made bots.
• Aluminum - If you want to go metal, aluminum is the best all- around robot- building material, especially for medium and larger machines. It’s exceptionally strong for its weight. Aluminum is fairly easy to cut and drill using ordinary shop tools.
• Tin, iron, and brass - Tin and iron are common hardware metals that are used to make angle brackets and sheet metal (various thicknesses, from 1/32″ on up), and as nail plates for house framing. Cost: fairly cheap.
• Steel - Although sometimes used in the structural frame of a robot because of its strength, steel (and its close cousin stainless steel) is difficult to cut and shape without special tools. Ideal for combat robots.

Locomotion Systems

• Wheels - They are the most popular medium to provide robots with mobility. Though there aren't any animals that use wheels, we sure can have a hell of a lot fun with it. Wheels can be put on any design and are only limited with your imagination. For a robot builder it's a simple, foolproof and obvious choice. Robots can have any number of wheels - 1, 2, 3, 4 ...... it really is your choice
• Tracks - This is only a giant wheel driven by, well, .... smaller wheels. It is a very practical design considering that it offers maximum traction. It can be used on snow, sand, a clean kitchen floor, where the wheel design would not work.
• Legs - Of all types of mobile robots, those that walk on legs present the greatest challenges. But they’re also great conversation pieces! You must overcome many difficulties to design and construct a legged robot. First, there is the question of the number of legs and how the legs provide stability when the robot is in motion or when it’s standing still. Then there’s the question of how the legs propel the robot forward or backward, and— more difficult still!—the question of how to turn the robot so it can navigate a corner. Your walking robots can have two or more legs. The fewer the legs, the more challenging the design. Two- legged (bipedal) robots use unique balancing methods to keep them from falling over. Four- legged robots (quadrupeds) are easier to balance, but good walking and steering can involve adding extra joints and some sophisticated math to make sure everything moves smoothly. Robots with six legs (called hexapods) are able to walk at brisk speeds without falling and are more than capable of turning corners, bounding over uneven terrain, and making the neighborhood animals run for cover. As a result, the six- legged kind are the most popular among robot makers.