Hello friends,

This week started with a large purchase of AliExpress.

What'd I Buy?

After mulling over what to include in my cart for about a week I finally finalized all the components I'd hopefully need to create my first own robot. I have the goal of creating a 4ped (I know super original) with a dual jointed hip, and a knee joint. I have sensors to give it vision and depth perception, as well as detect it's balance.

I also got this bot it's own Arduino UNO minima R4 so I don't have to repurpose my current Arduino.

I was pretty happy with the quality of the parts I got last time I bought from AliExpress so I'm hoping to get a similar quality in this haul.

I tried to get as many things as I think I would need off this purchase, but while I'm waiting for it to deliver I'm trying to consider some of the assembly pieces I will need. For example I included a basic 4WD chassis in the purchase but when it comes to connecting all the servo motors I think I'll need some brackets to make it easier.

I'm not entirely sure about the size of some of these motors so I didn't want to spend uselessly on some brackets so I decided I would try to 3D print those. I do want this bot to be pretty robust so I'm hoping the filament I have will be able to hold, otherwise I'll have to find another solution.

What Research?

I've been interested about this question in regards to construction robotics: Big or Small? Should for example bricklaying be completed by one large bot that can stack up a wall, or numerous small bots (swarms) that would carry the bricks one by one, working with a kind of hive mind intelligence.

I think ultimately the answer will lie somewhere in the middle, but I've been curious on where current research is on these topics.

I read a few papers (and more to go) on this topic, namely In Situ Fabricator discussing their mobile multifaceted bot capable of creating undulating brick walls with mm accuracy. As well as TERMES, which was about a termite inspired design that uses these small termite-like bots, that can climb and move building blocks.

I think about this issue mainly in terms of house building, but also considering that construction robotics might allow humans to create even more interesting buildings that we right now wouldn't be capable of. But it's my current belief that there should be a relationship between large bots that can move heavy objects and dig large holes, and small bots that can handle things like wiring, and anything a big bot can't reach. I'm also very interested in the prospects of flying bots in regards to construction.

I think it's a complicated road to get something that's in the air to say place a brick with precision. But I think if this can be cracked it could really open the doors for what's possible to build.

Either way, it's a topic that interests me and I researched it a bit, and will continue to do so.