BeetleBot

The Simple Zippy

Screw-Together Robot Kit!

Based on the popular MAKE Magazine and

Instructables.com project, the BeetleBot is
the simplest TRUE robot you can build.
Assembles with just a screwdriver (included)!
w w w. s o l a r b o t i c s . c o m
1-866-276-2687
SKU: K JB

http://www.solarbotics.com/products/k_ jb/

Document Revision: July 4th, 2011

2 x 2AAA Battery Packs

16 x 2-56 x 1/4 long screws
4 x 2-32 x 3/8 long screws
3 x 2-56 x 5/8 long screws
3 x 5/8 nylon spacers
6 x 10cm (4) Black Legs Wires
1 x Sticker sheet
1 x Solarbotics Screwdriver

Parts:
1 x Acrylic BeetleBot baseplate
1 x Acrylic BeetleBot top shell
1 x Acrylic Switch Spacer
1 x Switch Harness
1 x Power Switch Harness
2 x Wire Antennae
2 x Antenna switches
2 x Aluminium motor brackets
2 x Motors with hubs
2 x Rubber Tires
1 x Double-Sided Sticky-Tape
1 x Tail Caster

Parts and Tools needed, but not included:

4 - AAA 1.5V Batteries
Scissors
Shell Board

2x
Sensor
Wires

Switch Spacer

Main Board

Decal Sheet

Power Switch
Harness

2x
2AAA
Battery Packs
6x
Leg wires

1x
Double-sided
Sticky Tape
Switch
Harness

2x
Switches

3x
Nylon
Spacers
3x
2-56 x 5/8
screws

4x
2-32 x 3/8
screws

2x
Motors

Tail Caster

16 x 2 56 x 1/4
screws

2x
Motor Mounts

2x
Rubber Tires
Screwdriver

We strongly suggest you inventory the parts in your kit to make sure you have all the parts listed. If anything is missing, contact Solarbotics Ltd. for
replacement parts information.
SOLARBOTICS is a trademark of Solarbotics Ltd. Reg. CIPO / USPTO.
Disclaimer of Liability
Solarbotics Ltd. is not responsible for any special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any breach of warranty, or under any legal
theory, including lost profits, downtime, good-will, damage to or replacement of equipment or property, and any costs or recovering of any material or
goods associated with the assembly or use of this product. Solarbotics Ltd. reserves the right to make substitutions and changes to this product without
prior notice. Yeah, we hate legalese too.

The BeetleBot:
The BeetleBot started as Jrme Demers' high-school science fair project. He built an
extremely simple and effective circuit using just a pair of cleverly wired switches, two
batteries, and two motors.
This robot would zoom around an enclosure, cleverly bouncing off all obstacles using its
antenna-like bump sensors. Jrme's goal behind this project was to demonstrate how
you can achieve a complex robot behavior with minimal design and simple parts.
The BeetleBot earned Jrme several awards, and a trip to the 2001 International
Science Fair. The project has since has been turned into popular do-it-yourself articles
published by Instructables.com and Makezine.com.
As an intern at Solarbotics, Jrme turned his creation into the BeetleBot Solderless
Kit. This kit features the same clever design as the original, but assembles with plug-in
connectors and simple screw and plastic construction.
The robot is built on a laser-cut acrylic base prepared for all screws and component
layouts. Pre-assembled wire harnesses plug into the switches, batteries, and motors. The
included wire antennae are pre-formed to give the robot an insect-like appearance and
provide efficient obstacle detection.
Spend an hour or so to put it together, then customize it with a selection of stickers!
The BeetleBot is available in two shapes, Ladybug or Tribal, each in four colours.
If you want to try building your own BeetleBot from scratch, find construction articles
online at http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Robot---The-BeetleBot/ and at
http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol12/?folio=140#pg150

Screwdriver - The Essentials:

Just in case if you havent used a screwdriver, heres some tips:

Step 1: Place it in your palm

like... um... a screwdriver. And
then admire the beautiful
Solarbotics-branded screwdriver
that came with your kit.

Step 2: Use a comfortable grip

that supports the end of the
screwdriver handle in your palm.
Feel free to remove the metal
shirt-clippy thing so it feels
better in your hand.

Step 3: DO NOT hold it like

this. It will be harder to aim
your screwdriver. This grip is
reserved only for repelling
shark attacks.

Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosey. To
install screws, rotate the
screwdriver clockwise. Turning it
to the right means that if the
screwdriver was laying on the
table, turning it to the right make
the screwdriver roll to the right.
Thats the way Dad taught it to
me.

Screwdriver tip:
If you find it hard to screw the screws into the baseplate, back the
screw out a bit, then screw it back in some more.

Step 1 - Preparing the laser cut baseplate:

Lets start by making sure our baseplate is ready to go. Being laser-cut, there might be
some small pieces that didnt fully clear out, so take a close look at each hole to make sure
they are clear. If not, use your thumb to nudge the bits out.
When you are sure all the holes are cleared out, peel off the protective paper mask. The
little black bits can be thrown out.

Step 1a: Press out any bit that might be stuck...

Step 1b: ...then peel off the protective paper.

Top/Bottom
(theres no difference between top & bottom at the moment)
Well show you what your project should look like at the end of each step. Not much
here, but the baseplate with nice, clean holes!

Step 2 - Installing the Antennae:

The antennae work with the switches to create the brains of your Beetlebot. Get your
antennae, and two of the 2-56 x 1/4 screws.
Just so you know, 2 refers to the diameter size of bolt, 56 is the number of grooves (per inch),
and the 1/4 is how long it is.
Pick a side of the baseplate to call the top. Screw one antenna down to
the hole shown in the picture below until the screw stops going in. Then
back it out 1/4 of a turn so the antenna swivels loosely, but wont
pop the S curve out of the slot.
Add the other antenna to the other side. When you are done,
you should have two floppy antennae mounted to
your baseplate!

TOP

X2
This is the
screw you
need (full-size
shown here)

BOTTOM

Step 3 - Switch Installation:

Lets nest the switch in behind the antenna and screw it in. Make sure the tab points
forward, and put screws in from the other side (the bottom) this time.

3b: TOP VIEW.

See how the screws are
just poking out through the top, now
place the switch into position with the
metal tab touching the antenna wire.

3a: BOTTOM VIEW.

Place in two of the 2-32 x 3/8 long screws
into the baseplate (from the bottom).

Note tab
points
forward!
3c: Hold the switch on
the screws, and finish
screwing both screws in.
Make sure the switch tab
points forward!

Make sure the screws are

going in properly, or else
you will break the switch!

Switch detail

TOP

BOTTOM
7

Step 4 - Battery Packs:

The battery packs are installed with
4 of the 2-56 x1/4 long screws.
Put the battery packs into the
locations shown on the bottom, with
the metal pins poking straight
through to the top side.

4: BOTTOM VIEW.
Screw in the two battery packs using 4
screws.

Assembly tip: Trying to put a screw in a difficult location?

Press your finger tip across both the screwdriver tip & the
screw to hold them together.

Battery leads
poke through
here

TOP

BOTTOM
8

Step 5 - The Motor Mounts:

The motor mounts are installed from the TOP SIDE of the baseplate. Install the mounts,
each with two more of those wonderful 1/4 long screws weve been using so far.

Screw on the Motor

Mounts from the TOP SIDE
(the antennae were removed
from the photos for a better view
- dont remove them from yours!)

TOP

BOTTOM
9

Step 6 - The Motors and Wheels:

Your motors come with white nubs on the shaft. Push the rubber wheels over the nubs.
Find your two motors and the double-sided sticky-tape (DSST). If you want, cut the
DSST in half to make it fit the motor better.
Find the WHITE DOT on the back of the motor. You want to put the DSST on the same side
of the motor that the dot is. Peel off the DSST protective tape, and stick it to the motor.
Peel off the other piece of protective tape, and stick the motors on the motor mounts as
shown below on the picture. Make the back of the motor align with the bend on the
motor mount, so when you put it down, the Beetlebot sits on the two wheels and NOT the
battery pack.

TOP

White
Spots!

6a: Push the rubber wheels

onto the motor nubs

6b: Find the white dots on the

motors, and stick the DSST on
the side nearest the dot

6c: Before you stick down the

motor, find the white spots, and
match this photo. Then stick the
motors onto the mounts!

Note where
white spot is!
Make it match!

TOP

BOTTOM
10

Step 7 - The Power Switch:

The switch gets in the way if we mount it directly to the baseplate, so we have to put it
on a spacer plate.
Start by threading the 1/4 screws into the front of the switch. It will be a bit tough, but
will start twisting easier as you go further in.
Next, slip the wires of the switch through the spacer hole, and adjust the screws so they
just poke out the back of the spacer.
Drop the whole works into the rectangle on the BOTTOM of the baseplate, and finish
screwing in the screws! Dont worry if it doesnt feel like its grabbing, as step 8 will help!

7a: All the parts switch, spacer and 2

screws

7b: Put the screws in (use

some force).

7d: Adjust the screws so

they just poke out the
back of the spacer

7c: Put the switch into the

spacer.

7e: Drop the whole works into

the BOTTOM of the baseplate,
and tighten the screws!

TOP

BOTTOM
11

Step 8 - The Tail Spring:

Your Beetlebot is quick! The tail spring keeps the Beetlebot from violently rocking back
and forth and making the antenna activate by accident.
Its a simple installation - just take another one of those oh-so-handy 1/4 screws and
screw the tail spring to the switch spacer as shown below! This will also help lock down
the switch and spacer to the main board.
Make sure to use the REAR hole. The forward hole is saved for mounting the shell later.

Make sure to screw

it to the REAR hole!

TOP

BOTTOM
12

Step 9 - Plugging in the Main Wire & Switch Harness:

With the antenna switches, these wiring harnesses make up the smarts of the
Beetlebot. Simply plug the wires into the positions shown.
The plugs slide onto the switches easily, but will stay firm. If you are not sure if it is
connected right, unplug it and replug it in again. It should stick a bit when you try to
pull it out.
The rest of the wire plugs fit in nice and smooth, with no sticking.
Note: If you plug it the harness in backwards, it will run backwards (cool, but wrong!)

TOP

BOTTOM
13

:D

Step 10 - Initial Testing:

You are now done with the technical assembly of your Beetlebot. Lets
plug batteries in, and see if it works! It should zoom forward until an
antenna is pressed, and the motor on the opposite side of that antenna
should reverse. Put it on the floor aimed toward the wall. It should turn
away from the wall when it hits the wall.
Everything good? Yay! Do a happy dance, and go on with the final stages
of assembly.
Is it not working properly? Hrm. Lets check some things:
Nothing working at all?
Make sure the batteries are in the right way around, and that the switch
harness is plugged into the batteries.
Its spinning on the spot?
Does it run forward by pressing one of the antenna? If so, then fix
the reversed motor by swapping the motor lead connections.
Cant fix it by activating an antenna? Check if the antenna has
slipped over or behind the metal lever on the switch.
Is it spinning around one of the wheels (one wheel isnt doing anything)?
Check if the black wheel isnt stuck up against the motor itself.
Slide it down the white nub so it rolls free again.
Check if the motor wires are connected by unplugging and
plugging them back in again.

If none of these steps solved your problem, its time to start looking
carefully at the solder connections between the motors and wires, and
the wire connections to the plugs on the harnesses. If you can, you might have to find a
soldering iron to fix problems like this. Or contact us, and well help you figure out the
best solution for you!
Contact us for help at [email protected] or toll free 1-866-276-2687

14

Step 11 - Adding the Legs:

Whats a Beetle if it doesnt have legs? Find the 6 pieces of black wire, and follow these
steps to add the legs. When installed, bend them in a beetle-like shape that doesnt rub
the floor (which will slow it down).

11a: Insert the end of

the wire in any leg hole

11d: Remove the

leg from the hole

11b: Bend the wire over

so it lays flat

11c: Keep bending the

wire over the side

11e: Move it over to the

other hole, and reinsert

11f: Bend the lower leg

up to lock it into place

TOP

BOTTOM
15

SOLARBOTICS BEETLEBOT STICKER SHEET V1.0

1
2
3
4
5
6

Eyes (center dot over screw holes)

Left / Right Shells
Eye dots (go on top of #1)
Mouth (grin or smirk)
Decorations
Stars (just for fun!)

Eyes / Tatoos
Mouth (grin)
Shell
Main body
Horns / ridges
There is no #6
Stick these on your nose. Or
someplace. Have fun!

5
7

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

16

SOLARBOTICS BEETLEBOT STICKER SHEET V1.0

Step 12 - Stickers!:
Stickers are fun - no doubt about it! Find the top plate, and get to work. Heres a map to
where everything goes. Use the cover for ideas. Feel free to make changes and give your
Beetlebot a custom look, then well put it all together!

Step 13 - Final Assembly:

Take your decorated shell, and get ready to install it to the baseplate. You will finally use
those long three screws and the white nylon spacers (that look like a stubby piece of
macaroni).
First, flatten the battery pack pins down and tuck all the wires in towards the middle so
they wont get in the way of the shell
Then put in a long screw through the top shell, and the nylon spacer underneath. Screw
the screw into the bottom shell, and repeat it for the other two mounting holes.

Step 13a - Flatten down

the battery pack pins

Step 13b - Put a screw in through the

top, and a spacer underneath

Step 13c - Screw it in to the

baseplate.

Install shell
mounting
screws here

Note how the antenna

stays behind the screw
& spacer

TOP

BOTTOM
17

How it Works:
The key to how the Beetlebot works is in the switches. They are not simple on/off
switches - they are Single Pole / Double Throw switches, which means they make a
connection to one wire or the other wire - theres no in between.
The motors are connected from between the two battery packs to a switch. Depending
on the switch, the other wire to the motor is connected to the + side of one pack, or
the - side of the other pack. Since motors change direction when you reverse the
power connections, this behavior lets the switch and two battery packs change the
direction of the robot.

Push

The power switch has several wires because it disconnects both battery packs. If you
disconnect only one wire, your BeetleBot will stop running forwards, but will still run
backwards.
+
+

Note how switch

has moved

Pack-A

Pack-A

+
+

Pack-B

Pack-B
Antenna switch activated: Power is switched
from Pack-A to Pack-B, flowing from Pack-B
+ to Pack-B -. Now the motor spins the
other way, counter-clockwise. Simple!

Normal operation: Power goes from Pack-A -

through motor, and back to Pack-A +. This
makes the motor spin clockwise.

Left
Antenna
Switch

Right
Antenna
Switch

Power Switch

BeetleBot Simplified Schematic

BeetleBot Operational Schematic

18

Troubleshooting:
So youve had your BeetleBot for a while, but now its not running quite right? Heres
some troubleshooting tips:
Its moving in curves all the time! - The tire
has most likely slipped up the hub, and is now
rubbing the motor body. Just slide the tire back
down again.
Rubbing Tire

Clear Tire

Its not turning Left/Right! - The Antenna

might have slipped out of the slot in front of the switch, or it slipped behind the metal tab
of the switch itself. Just pull it loose so its sitting in the slot again.
Its sorta barely moving around it a circle - The motor mount might have been
bent if your Beetlebot fell off a counter, or something fell on it. Check to see that the
motors are bent down enough that the battery pack is not rubbing on the floor.
Its working, but moving kinda slow - The wheels are rubbing on both motors (see
first problem), or youve used your Beetlebot so much the batteries are wearing down. Or
theres a bunch of gunk wrapped around the wheel axles.
It was fine last night, but now its all in pieces! - Check with the dog. Betcha
Rover thought it was a chase-me chew-toy. Either that, or somebody figured out you
can take it apart as easy as you put it together (check with your little brother or sister)!

Have fun with your BeetleBot - look online for other ways of
building another one, and keep building. Its fun!

19

Enjoyed the BeetleBot? Want more?

There are several more kits from Solarbotics for any skill level!
Based on our HexPummer, this kit charges all day from
the SCC3733 solar cell. In the dark it pumms the two
ultra-mega-super-bright LEDs and casts artistic silhouettes
against the walls of the lantern.

The SolarSpeeder 2 Kit is a very quick Solaroller that can

cover 3 meters (10 feet) in under 40 seconds in direct
sunlight. Simple to construct and a blast to watch, this is a
great kit for all beginners!

K HP-L HexPummer Lantern . . . . . .$33.50USD/CAD

K SS Solarspeeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27.50USD/CAD

Like the Mousebot, the K PP Photopopper seeks light

and avoids obstacles but is solar powered! Its pretty
quick, covering a meter per minute (thats 3.3 feet!).
Newly upgraded with better electronics and gold circuit
board!

Wishing you had a bit more of a vicious light-seeker?

Well, try our Turbot! Dubbed the Velociraptor of the
Robot Jurassic Park, the K TB Turbot moves by flipping
end over end on its long legs. Its capable, but smart
enough to let go when its taking on too big of a
challenge!

K PP Photopopper . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.95USD/CAD

K TB Turbot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$59.95USD/CAD

Visit us online for more info and cool stuff:

www.solarbotics.com
Solarbotics Ltd.
3740D - 11A Street NE, Suite 101
Calgary, Alberta T2E 6M6
Canada

Toll Free: 1-866-276-2687

International: +1 (403) 232-6268
Fax: +1 (403) 226-3741
Made in Canada