Projects / Light-Following Robot
Light-Following Robot
Build a Braitenberg-style light seeker on a laser-cut 3mm birch plywood chassis: a photodiode / LDR pair drives either a differential-drive base or a servo pan head. Learn photocurrent, ADC readings, and ipsilateral vs contralateral coupling.
Digital guide + cut files + BOM + code · Parts sourced separately · Ages 8–14 with adult help
Pack contents
- Chassis, sensor tower, motor mount SVGs
- Build guide for drive path A or B
- First-principles: photocurrent, Braitenberg vehicles
- Seek/flee firmware
- Verified BOM
Typical hardware cost
Default structure is laser-cut birch plywood with real fasteners and hobby electronics you can source—honest BOM, not mystery modules.
- ~$31–173 in typical parts (makerspace cut toward the low end; mail-order toward the high end)
- Digital pack price ≠ hardware
The $9 pack is the digital guide + cut files + BOM + lessons + code, plus printable Builder's Corner build journal pages. Hardware is sourced separately — see Where to get kit materials. Buy with Stripe is live below.
Birch chassis parts kit
$51 — Birch chassis parts kit, shipping included (US). 7 laser-cut 1/8" birch pieces; electronics not included. Made to order, ships in ~1–2 weeks.
Questions? Email us at lance.haney@gmail.com.
Pricing
- Home / Personal license $9
- Classroom license $35 — 1 teacher, up to 30 studentsOne $35 Classroom license covers one group of up to 30 students. Each additional group needs another license.
- Build materials available at cost + 10% — email for a quote
Learning outcomes
- Explain voltage dividers for light sensing
- Wire a left/right LDR pair and interpret brightness
- Implement seek vs flee coupling
- Drive differential motors or a servo pan head