Come to build robots!
Robots are fun to play with, but did you know that they are equally fun to build? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you may think. You don’t have to know lots about electronics or be a genius at engineering to have a go at creating your own robot. There are lots of simple kits (配套原件) and resources available that make it easy to build a robot in your own home, and if you don’t feel confident enough to have a go at home, there are plenty of clubs that offer courses in robot-building for young people.
◇Why to build?
“Creating a robot teaches you in great about how it is put together and how it works, ” says Steve Hubbard, of Robot Fun, which hosts robotics master classes for teens in Suffolk. “As you build and test a robot, you also learn how to fix it when things go wrong, as they always do.” Building and programming a robot is a practical application of science and engineering and a great way of learning how to solve all sorts of problems. You don’t need any special skills. If you can build with Lego or draw a line, you can build and program a robot.
◇How to start?
Matthew Applegate runs the Creative Computing Club in Ipswich, Suffolk. He says, “The Lego Robots kits are amazing. You can use cardboard, glue sticks and string to make a prototype (雏形).” Some kits can be expensive but there are ways to build your robots using things around the house. You can build an arm with cardboard, straws and string, adding it to a low-cost kit.
Building robots is really great. It isn’t easy at first, but when you get better, you will be surprised how much you can do. Come to get your first robot kit and make it whirr into life!
▶ For details on how to build a Raspberry Pi buggy: tinyurl.com/TW J-robotbuggy
▶ For details on how to join a robot club: tinyurlcom/TW J-members
▶ For more information on kits and classes: tinyurl.com/TW J-resources
▶ For more information on robots and their history: tinyurl.com/TW J-realrobots
【小题1】What do you need to build a robot at home?
| A．To know lots about electronics. | B．To put necessary parts together. |
| C．To be a genius at engineering. | D．To have rich experience in playing with robots. |
| A．tinyurl.com/TW J-robotbuggy | B．tinyurl,com/TW J-realrobots |
| C．tinyurl.com/TW J-resources | D．tinyurl.com/TW J-members |
| A．To encourage teens to learn to solve problems by building robots. |
| B．To explain the advantages of building one’s own robots. |
| C．To analyse the need of teens to build their own robots. |
| D．To advertise a method of building robots with fun. |
