CHAPTER 1 ■ WELCOME ROBOT INVENTOR!
Because the time investment in a single module is small and manageable, it’s easier to finish something
substantial. Some people claim they built their robot in a weekend. Well, not really. They aren’t counting the
time spent purchasing, learning, designing, altering, or creating the subunits.
Keeping It Fun and Keeping It Light
If you find yourself frustrated and about to stomp on a stubborn contraption, simply set it aside. This is a
hobby, right?
Draw a cartoon bubble saying “I’m too wily for you, human!” and tape it to the robot. Prove your greater
intelligence by challenging the inert blob to a game of chess.
On the other hand, let’s say the robot is finished and working well. Before the grand unveiling, take a
careful look to see if anything is missing. Any empty spots? Maybe it needs a smiley face and googly eyes
(see Figure 1-14). Stickers, paint, flags, and blinking lights are also attractive finishing touches.
Figure 1-13. A reusable keyboard interface module