5 answers
Genesis
Student
Florence, Alabama
4
Questions
Asked
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What small Robotics projects can I do over the summer?
I'm currently a Junior in highschool who is interested in robotic engineering/mechatronics but I haven't made many robots during my highschool career. Is there any that will help me stand out in college applications?
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5 answers
Anna Casto
Chemist
26
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Just build something you're interested in. Working on something you're passionate about will be easier to talk about later and will be far more meaningful than trying to impress someone with a specific project.
Can you think of a physical task that you or someone you care about has a hard time with? How could you build a machine that makes it easier?
Can you think of a physical task that you or someone you care about has a hard time with? How could you build a machine that makes it easier?
Thank you!
Genesis
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
You can gain valuable experience on your own using the Arduino or Raspberry PI microcontrollers. These microcontrollers are programmable in either C or Python and have a huge amount of free online robotics projects and tutorials.
To get started, Google “Arduino Robotic Projects” and pick one or two of the many robotic project tutorials that appeal to you.
Raspberry PI Models:
Raspberry PI Pico 2 - This is a microcontroller, priced at $5.
Raspberry PI Pico W - Similar to the one above but it includes WiFi, priced at $6.
Raspberry PI Zero 2 W - Another microcontroller with WiFi, priced at $16
Raspberry PI 5 - This is actually a computer rather than a microcontroller, starting price of $60+.
Arduino Models:
Arduino Uno R3 - Microcontroller priced at about $4 from Aliexpress.com or $27 from a stateside vendor.
Arduino Mega 2560 R3 - Similar to the above but faster with more I/O, priced about $10 from Aliexpress or $48 from a stateside vendor.
I suggest you start with an Arduino Uno R3 from Aliexpress.com plus get a starter kit with wires and components for about $10. This is the least expensive option yet it will have many robotics-related projects.
To get started, Google “Arduino Robotic Projects” and pick one or two of the many robotic project tutorials that appeal to you.
Raspberry PI Models:
Raspberry PI Pico 2 - This is a microcontroller, priced at $5.
Raspberry PI Pico W - Similar to the one above but it includes WiFi, priced at $6.
Raspberry PI Zero 2 W - Another microcontroller with WiFi, priced at $16
Raspberry PI 5 - This is actually a computer rather than a microcontroller, starting price of $60+.
Arduino Models:
Arduino Uno R3 - Microcontroller priced at about $4 from Aliexpress.com or $27 from a stateside vendor.
Arduino Mega 2560 R3 - Similar to the above but faster with more I/O, priced about $10 from Aliexpress or $48 from a stateside vendor.
I suggest you start with an Arduino Uno R3 from Aliexpress.com plus get a starter kit with wires and components for about $10. This is the least expensive option yet it will have many robotics-related projects.
Thanks for the advice.
Genesis
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
528
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Genesis,
Great to hear about your interest in robotics and mechatronics! Summer is a fantastic time to dive into projects. Here are some ideas that can help you build your skills and stand out in college applications:
Project Ideas
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Line-following robot: A classic introduction to robotics, involving sensors, motors, and basic programming.
Obstacle avoidance robot: Building on the line-following concept, this project introduces ultrasonic or infrared sensors for navigation.
Bluetooth-controlled robot car: This project combines hardware and software, allowing you to control a robot using a smartphone app.
Miniature robotic arm: A challenging project that requires understanding of mechanics, electronics, and programming.
Intermediate-Advanced Level
Autonomous maze-solving robot: A more complex project requiring advanced programming and sensor fusion.
Humanoid robot: This is a highly ambitious project that involves multiple degrees of freedom, complex control systems, and possibly computer vision.
Solar-powered robot: Explore renewable energy and robotics by building a solar-powered robot.
Robotic gripper: Design and build a gripper for picking up different objects, involving mechanics, electronics, and control systems.
Tips for Making Your Project Stand Out
Focus on problem-solving: Demonstrate your ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement them.
Documentation: Create a detailed project report, including design process, challenges faced, and solutions found.
Showcase creativity: Add unique features or functionalities to your robot.
Consider a social impact: Can your robot solve a real-world problem?
Participate in competitions: Showcasing your skills in competitions can be impressive.
Resources
Online tutorials: Platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and YouTube offer a wealth of tutorials.
Robotics kits: Consider using kits like Lego Mindstorms or VEX Robotics for a structured approach.
Local robotics clubs or teams: Join a club to learn from others and collaborate on projects.
Mentorship: Seek guidance from engineers or college students in the field.
Best wishes!
Great to hear about your interest in robotics and mechatronics! Summer is a fantastic time to dive into projects. Here are some ideas that can help you build your skills and stand out in college applications:
Project Ideas
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Line-following robot: A classic introduction to robotics, involving sensors, motors, and basic programming.
Obstacle avoidance robot: Building on the line-following concept, this project introduces ultrasonic or infrared sensors for navigation.
Bluetooth-controlled robot car: This project combines hardware and software, allowing you to control a robot using a smartphone app.
Miniature robotic arm: A challenging project that requires understanding of mechanics, electronics, and programming.
Intermediate-Advanced Level
Autonomous maze-solving robot: A more complex project requiring advanced programming and sensor fusion.
Humanoid robot: This is a highly ambitious project that involves multiple degrees of freedom, complex control systems, and possibly computer vision.
Solar-powered robot: Explore renewable energy and robotics by building a solar-powered robot.
Robotic gripper: Design and build a gripper for picking up different objects, involving mechanics, electronics, and control systems.
Tips for Making Your Project Stand Out
Focus on problem-solving: Demonstrate your ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement them.
Documentation: Create a detailed project report, including design process, challenges faced, and solutions found.
Showcase creativity: Add unique features or functionalities to your robot.
Consider a social impact: Can your robot solve a real-world problem?
Participate in competitions: Showcasing your skills in competitions can be impressive.
Resources
Online tutorials: Platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and YouTube offer a wealth of tutorials.
Robotics kits: Consider using kits like Lego Mindstorms or VEX Robotics for a structured approach.
Local robotics clubs or teams: Join a club to learn from others and collaborate on projects.
Mentorship: Seek guidance from engineers or college students in the field.
Best wishes!
Thanks for the help.
Genesis
Of course!
Chinyere Okafor
john daley
engineering and maintenance
17
Answers
East Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Updated
john’s Answer
Plenty of companies bring on board students as volunteer interns. It is a great way to gain hands on knowledge first hand. Nothing better to get introduced to the career you are considering to be involved with others in that career. Free education and free advice for you can ask all the questions you want. Reach out to companies that you know do what you are considering doing.
Amit Parikh
Robotics Engineer
5
Answers
Updated
Amit’s Answer
Hi Genesis, great question!
As others said, you should check out Arduino projects. You can find projects other people have done and follow along here: https://projecthub.arduino.cc/?category=Motors+%26+Robotics
They also sell kits that come with the basic materials needed to get started with Arduino projects, as well as step-by-step instructions for a few different projects. These are a great starting point for getting into robotics and doing some projects. https://www.arduino.cc/education/engineering-kit
There are a ton of guides, blogs, and Youtube videos out there from people who have done robotics projects. I'd suggest just picking one that interests you and going for it. The most important thing is that you document everything you do. That could mean keeping an engineering notebook, a blog, or making videos about your progress. If you're able to complete even one of these projects, you'll have a huge advantage for getting into a good school.
As others said, you should check out Arduino projects. You can find projects other people have done and follow along here: https://projecthub.arduino.cc/?category=Motors+%26+Robotics
They also sell kits that come with the basic materials needed to get started with Arduino projects, as well as step-by-step instructions for a few different projects. These are a great starting point for getting into robotics and doing some projects. https://www.arduino.cc/education/engineering-kit
There are a ton of guides, blogs, and Youtube videos out there from people who have done robotics projects. I'd suggest just picking one that interests you and going for it. The most important thing is that you document everything you do. That could mean keeping an engineering notebook, a blog, or making videos about your progress. If you're able to complete even one of these projects, you'll have a huge advantage for getting into a good school.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Genesis