SunBEAM SEEKER BOT

Written, photographed, and illustrated by Sean Michael Ragan

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Our easy-bake adaptation of a classic phototrope.

THIS LIGHT-RESPONSIVE BEAM-STYLE ROBOT IS BASED ON RANDY SARGENT’S CLASSIC “HERBIE” DESIGN. Using as few as six components, the “Herbie” circuit produces a robot that will follow a black line traced on a white floor or, with the photosensors pointing upward as shown, seek out the brightest light source in a room. To the basic design, the SunBEAM Seeker adds a roller lever limit switch that serves as a tail-wheel so the bot will automatically turn on when you set it down, and off when you pick it up (or if it flips ...

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