Chapter 21Choosing the Right Motor
Motors are the muscles of robots. Attach a motor to a set of wheels, and your robot can scoot around the floor. Attach a motor to a lever, and the shoulder joint for your robot can move up and down. Attach a motor to a roller, and the head of your robot can turn back and forth, scanning its environment. There are many kinds of motors; however, only a select few are truly suitable for homebrew robotics. In this chapter, we’ll examine the various types of motors and how they are used.
AC or DC Motor?
Direct current—DC—dominates robotics; it’s used as the main power source for operating the onboard electronics, for opening and closing relays, and, yes, for running motors that propel a robot across the floor.
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