Design Robot System
30 minutesDefine robot purpose, chassis type, motor count, and microcontroller platform.
Field context
This workflow is part of 3 niche fields
Complete guide for first robot build — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Define robot purpose, chassis type, motor count, and microcontroller platform.
Calculate required motor torque for payload and incline, and estimate battery runtime.
Assemble chassis, mount motors and wheels, wire motor driver and power distribution.
Upload motor test sketch, verify wheel direction, and measure actual travel distance per rotation.
Size DC motors for payload weight and maximum incline angle.
Estimate runtime from battery capacity and expected motor load.
Set PWM duty cycle limits for safe motor speed during initial tests.
Calibrate distance traveled per encoder tick or motor revolution.
Key benchmarks for first robot build.
| Component | Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | DC geared | 6-12V |
| Driver | L298N or TB6612 | 2A+ per channel |
| Battery | LiPo 2S-3S | Match motor voltage |
Never leave LiPo batteries charging unattended — charge in a fire-safe bag away from flammable materials.
Test each motor individually before enabling differential drive — catches wiring errors early.
Beginner robot kits include matched motors and drivers — cheaper than sourcing incompatible parts separately.