Robotics has come quite a long way. Once exclusive to significant manufacturers and big-name filmmakers, they’re now everywhere, from our homes as autonomous robots that help with household chores to health, education, and even entertainment industries.

We now even have full-fledged festivals dedicated entirely to robotics. So, it’s no surprise that anyone can take on robotics projects, from kids to baby boomers.

Students particularly stand to benefit from robotics, as it equips them with basic engineering, physics, and science concepts, giving them a shot at changing the future. Here, we'll list eight awesome intermediate robotics projects students can try at school.

1. Line Following Robot

A line following robot is interesting and easy to make. As the name implies, the robot detects and follows a predetermined line with no deviation.

It uses digital IR sensors with the help of an Arduino IDE program to detect the drawn line and runs on two motors with wheels. It’s the perfect way for students to familiarize themselves with how sensors and motors work.

For this project, you should assemble an evive, IR sensor, dual shaft BO motor, motor mount, and a wheel, acrylic base plate, caster wheel, 15mm male to female M3, 20mm M3 bolts, 12mm M3 bolts, M3 nuts, and a screwdriver. Be sure to give it a test run once complete. Check out the step-by-step guide on how to complete this project on STEMpedia.

2. Pick and Place Mobile Robot

A pick and place mobile robot is among the most brilliant innovations in the history of manufacturing. It speeds up assembly applications by picking and placing parts from an incoming conveyor onto an outgoing one.

Although often used in formal manufacturing settings, it’s an easy and fun robotics project for students to try. Plus, it’s a practical way to learn about autonomous robots, and students can always take it home for repetitive pick and place domestic tasks or show off their innovation to their buddies. Check this guide on STEMpedia for detailed instructions on how to assemble this robot.

3. Obstacle Avoiding Robot

Remember how the line following robot follows and never deviates from a straight line? The obstacle avoiding one works the opposite way.

It finds its way by deviating from its path upon encountering an obstacle. It’s also an autonomous robot with components similar to the line following robot, except it uses ultrasonic instead of digital IR sensors to detect its path.

With a bit of creativity and innovation, students can even turn it into a cleaning vacuum, saving the folks hundreds of dollars on commercial options like Roomba. These instructions on STEMpedia will help you complete this project efficiently.

4. DIY Soccer Playing Mobile Robot

Watching and playing soccer is fun, but what’s even more exciting is seeing a robot mimic a human dribble and actually play the sport. And it’s surprisingly so popular and entertaining that there are robot soccer competitions, complete with soccer leagues organized annually.

Luckily, students don’t have to wait until a competition is held, as a soccer-playing mobile robot is pretty fun and effortless to make.

Like most robots, it features two wheels and a caster wheel, multiple evive pieces, a BO motor mount, M3 nuts, 8mm M3 bolts, and an acrylic base plate. Assembly is pretty straightforward, as illustrated in this easy STEMpedia guide. Students can also try more creative DIY projects using an electric motor.

5. Make a Wall Avoiding Robot

A wall avoiding robot works the same way as the obstacle avoiding one above, but it’s a little smarter in that it detects walls.

This type of robot is typically used in major industries like auto, manufacturing, and even space crafts. So, making it isn’t just fun but also an easy-to-digest way to introduce students to the fascinating yet vital applications of important industrial robots.

The robot works thanks to the Atmega168 microcontroller and features an Arduino USB board, ultrasonic rangefinder, noise suppression capacitors, and all other components highlighted in this step-by-step Instructable.

6. Solar Powered Robot From Trash

This fun project is an opportunity for students to practice and understand the essence of recycling while simultaneously dipping their toes into the fascinating world of robots.

As highlighted in this Instructable, it only requires bits and parts often trashed, such as 1.5V motors, AAA batteries, on and off switch, bits of wire from your old/non-functional electronics, a couple of zip ties, and an old solar-powered light.

One can use anything for the chassis, and once complete, students will have not only recycled but created a robot that runs on solar power; it’s nothing short of impressive. Here are more projects using old cables and wires to conserve the environment.

7. DIY Gesture Controlled Robot Using Smartphone

If you’ve only seen gesture-controlled robots on TV, try to make one with your students and give them an experience they’ll live to remember.

As the name implies, you can control and command it to perform various actions using hand gestures and a smartphone. That means if you move your hand forward, the robot follows, and if you put it down, it does the same. Interesting, right? Check out this STEMpedia guide for a breakdown of components and instructions.

8. Solar Cockroach Virbobot

Now, for a fun take on robotics, students can try to make a solar cockroach virbobot, as shown in this Instructable. Although it requires a lot of soldering and hot gluing, the solar cockroach virbobot is a pretty basic project ideal for most students.

They’ll need to assemble a 1.5V or 2V solar panel, a small pager motor, a paper clip, a pair of googly eyes, and six inches of magnet wire. The result? A cute solar-powered cockroach bot with googly eyes they’ll love seeing run around and can even offer to others as a gift.

Student-friendly Robotics Projects: The Future of Innovation

The future of robotics is now, and we already see them in significant industries. Some big-name brands like Pepsi are already using them to cut costs of human labor and enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Today, introducing young learners to robotics turns them into innovators, paving the way for even larger, smarter innovations that’ll change the future.

And while most may argue some concepts are too complex for young minds to grasp, the eight awesome robotics projects prove there are plenty of beginner-friendly to intermediate projects that students can try at school.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan Blake (38 Articles Published)

Alan Blake is a passionate and proficient writer who loves exploring, learning, and sharing his findings in an engaging approach. He not only likes to keep up with SEO trends but also technology advancements.