This is my first post on this forum, plus I don't tend to post on forums so I don't really know the general protocol. I am fairly sure I am doing it right though.
I am also very new to electronics, let alone robotics. I'm a software engineering graduate so all the software stuff is a breeze. Right now I am actually struggling with getting my robot to move forward haha.
I basically have two 6v-16v dc
gear-less motors. I am controlling them independently via two transistors in which I am supplying the base voltage via setting a pin high on the Ardunio Uno, thus allowing 9v to pass through the transistor to ground completing the circuit making to motor turn. I'm sure you know all of this. It all works great until I put the robot on the floor. The two motors have no torque what so ever to even budge the robot a hairs width distance. Are gear-less dc motors pretty much useless then? I mean the robot is made from foamcore, with two center wooden wheels, an Arduino Uno, 2 9v batteries and a breadboard. It doesn't have a great deal of weight tbh.
But if I was to purchase geared motors instead, for the same amount of money I could purchase continuous servos which I believe already have a fair bit of torque.
This is essentially what I am making:
http://blog.makezine.com/2013/06/04/projects-with-ryan-slaugh-hack-bot/However I chose to buy the DC motors because the continuous servos where too expensive.
I guess I'm really asking: What the hell can you use a DC motor for? They're sh*t! And what is a good solution for the drive of a small robot like the one I am making?
Apologies If there is a topic on the forum like this already.