Turning Frog by Elenco

The Turning Frog kit was not hard to assemble. The Turning Frog is controlled with sound. Some of the components making up the robot include a microphone attached to a variable resistor for controlling sound sensitivity, and two integrated circuit: 4069 hex inverter and 4017 counter. The mechanical parts are small but come together on a wood chassis attached to two gear boxes. When the microphone detects sound, the robot executes four moves in the following pattern: forward, stop, left turn, stop, right turn, stop. I had some help from Marc of Elenco email customer service. I lost two very small parts. Marc had them to me in a few days. In closing, I think the Turning Frog is just as complex as the last three Robots, it was simpler, but just as fun. Watch the video staring: Turning frog and voice by my father. I had fun recording this with him.   

Kitchen Timer by Velleman Inc.

The Velleman Kitchen Timer will time from 1 minute to 1 hour. Mostly consists of 16 LED's and one 14-Pin, 8-Bit CMOS Microcontroller PIC16C505. Simple assemble and will be a nice fit for kitchen duties.

 

 

Scarab Robot by Elenco

The Scarab Robot shares the same chassis and gear box as it two sisters (Escape and Ladybug Robot). Instead of infrared diodes, the Scarab Robot uses two touch sensors to navigate around obstacles. Furthermore, the Scarab robot has 11 jumpers divided into three groups. There are two sets of four jumpers, located in the rear, that instruct the Scarab Robots how to move when an obstacle is detected. These jumpers allow one to program two moves from nine choices. The last group (three jumpers) control the timing of the Scarab Robot's two movement.

Brain
 

Jumper info and top shot
 

Two touch sensors
 



Close up

The Escape Robot by Elenco

The Escape Robot has three infrared light emitting diodes an one infrared receiving module to detect its way around obstacles moving left, right, or backwards.

 



 

 

 

Ladybug Robot by Elenco

The ladybug Robot has one infrared emitting diode and one photo-transistor. These two components function as the robot's eyes. The photo-transistor detects infrared light that is reflected when the ladybug Robot is approaching an object making her take a left turn.

 

Crawling Microbug by Velleman Inc.

The Crawiling Microbug is a light sensitive robot much like its sister the Running Microbug but with two add features. First, this Microbug has two speeds --crawl and normal. Second, additional to the two variable resistors or also called potentionmeter that control trim a third potentionmeter that controls the speed of both motors. This Microbug loves to chase the light (thanks to the two photoresistors). For a short demonstration watch my video.

Close-up
 



front
 

Bottom

 

 

 

Running Microbug by Velleman Inc.

The Running Microbug has two photoresistors, one left front an one right front, that sense the presents or absence of light. Two subminiature motors are used to move the "Running Microbug". The left photoresistor controls the right motor and the right photoresistor contols left motor. This allows the Microbug to seek light by always turning into light. But, of course, not helpful in the complete absents of light. The photoresistor conducts electricity when light is present or lowers resistance. Simply, turns the Microbug on and off. In addition, there are two variable resistors that can allow one to control the trim or speed of each motor. The red LED's work as indicators to the presents of light in respect to there photoresistor. Or, the flow of electricity to the motors.

Running Microbug
 

I got the Microbug put together and tested it in light and dark.