REALISTIC? Build 200 "robots" for under $5/ea?

[GoldfishBot]

Ok, so I've got 200 elementry school kids (9yrs old) that I'd like to have build a nonprogrammable, non-soldering robot-like car or other moving-being.  My budget is <$4/kid.  I've found a few online, but exceed our budget by about a dollar or two:

http://www.kitsusa.net/phpstore/html/21-661-Solar-QUAD-Kit-non-soldering-242.html
http://www.kitsusa.net/phpstore/html/21-671-Mini-Solar-Racing-Car-Kit-non-solder-1344.html
http://www.kitsusa.net/phpstore/html/21-601-DINO-The-Mechanical-Wooden-Dinosaur-Robot-Kit-non-solder-847.html

Anybody have any plans or suggestions that you've seen other teachers use?

Thanks!

[SmAsH]

have you tried beam bots?

[Canabots]

The only problem with BEAM robots is the solar cell, since they can be a little pricey, even for the smaller, lower power ones...

Of course, I suppose we can't forget that purchasing products in large quantities will typically lower costs significantly, if I'm not mistaken.

This is also a "BEAM-ish" Robot (It has no processor). It is quite low cost. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Robot---The-BeetleBot/

[galannthegreat]

Just send an email to Solarbotics, Dave there is always helpful in finding ways for that to work for schools and groups.

[SmAsH]

some can easily be made from a small motor, a capacitor and a solar cell but i don't really consider these "beambots" to be robots as they cannot take info from their surroundings and act accordingly. but they are still fun to make and watch run around and im sure will entertain some kids for a while.

[dellagd]

I agree with smash. a robot that is sensorless isn't really a robot. it is just a moving piece of electronics, really w/ no brain.

[SmAsH]

but then again, beambots are a great way to get younger kids interested in robotics. little beambots are soo cool.
tiny solar cell+cap+pager motor+head of toothbrush=lots of fun
i remember when i showed my friend who was 10 how to make a beambot, man was he happy about being able to create something as simple as that...

[dellagd]

I never said they wern't fun 

[Admin]

So the $4/kid is available? Charge an additional $5 in 'material fees' per kid.

Also, offer a 'keep your robot' option for an additional $5. What parent wouldn't pay $5 when the kid begs them to take it home?

Doing both of those, you can expand your budget to more like ~$12/kid . . .

Other options are to ask the kids to bring their own batteries, too.

[GearMotion]

Try a bristlebot.

http://www.bristlebot.co.uk/



http://www.botjunkie.com/2007/12/20/diy-vibrobots/

[dellagd]

I think I want to build one of those...

[Canabots]

That looks like a good project for kids, even though it is the most primitive form of a robot  I've seen videos of them and they'll dart around, bumping and deflecting off any object in their path. Looks very fun and satisfying.

Though a little pricey, these would probably work perfectly. The only other requirements being toothbrushes and batteries. You could then have the kids bring their own paperclip for the battery terminals.

[Razor Concepts]

$1.50 to $2 here
http://pagermotors.com/Products.php?f_category=Pager

[GearMotion]

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16321

100  for  $0.79 each




http://digikey.com/scripts/partsearch.dll?Detail&name=P189-ND

3V battery 100 for .25 each

[GearMotion]

If you can find a toothbrush for really low cost, each kid could build 2 of these.

See if a dentist will donate new toothbrushes. Ask the kids to bring in their old ones for the project and they go home with a new one.

[SmAsH]

that would be a great program, just tell the dentist that you are going to put up a sign for them somewhere
i was thinking go get some old toothbrushes from somewhere and sterilize them but some of the parents may not agree with that