CNET también está disponible en español.

Ir a español

Don't show this again

The beginning

littleBits starter kit

Boxie's long-lost cousin

Eyes and hands

Magnetic attraction

We have light!

Surgery begins

High five

Left arm

Brains

It's aliiiiiive!

  • 1
    of 11
  • 2
    of 11
  • 3
    of 11
  • 4
    of 11
  • 5
    of 11
  • 6
    of 11
  • 7
    of 11
  • 8
    of 11
  • 9
    of 11
  • 10
    of 11
  • 11
    of 11
littleBits is a set of circuit boards that can be snapped together to form whatever you want. Armed with two littleBits starter kits sent to Crave and some office supplies, I was ready to craft!
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
The littleBits starter kit comes with 11 modules, including a power source, a vibration motor, pressure sensor, and various LEDs. Each kit costs $89, and you can also buy additional modules a la carte for about $20 each.
Caption by / Photo by James Martin/CNET
Taking a little inspiration from Boxie the adorable cardboard robot from the MIT Media Lab, I decided to bring a regular 'ol shipping box to life using littleBits.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
My idea was to have the robot's eyes light up by squeezing his hand. To do that, I used the following modules: battery + connector, power, wire, pressure sensor, and two RGB LEDs. You can adjust the color of the latter by using the included mini Phillips screwdriver and adjusting a little control on the module to make it more blue, green, or red.

Note, to make a circuit, all you need is a blue (power) and green (output) part. Pink and orange are optional.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
All the circuit boards attach to each other using magnets. It's an easy to way to connect, but I also found that they became detached easily if not placed on a flat surface.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
Huzzah, it worked! By pressing the pressure sensor, the LEDs light up and the "eyes" are ready to be implanted into my robot.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
Here's a view of the robot's innards. I attached the robot's eyes using a little tape and threaded the pressure sensor through the side, with the battery nestled at the bottom.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
Here's the pressure sensor sticking out on the right side. I later covered it with brown shipping paper and gave it a claw, which you'll see in a bit.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
Originally, I imagined having the robot wave with its left arm. However, there wasn't a part in the kit that would let me do that (there is a DC motor available for purchase separately, though), so I used the vibration motor instead. It just makes the arm shake a little and also produces a loud noise, but hey, you have to work with what you got, right?
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
Here's a final look at all the circuits. The battery for the vibration motor is not attached because of the aforementioned noise.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
And here he is! My littleBits, CNET-loving robot. He doesn't have feet, and I'm pretty sure his right arm is longer than his left, but I still love him. Now, I just need to think of a name. CNET's Donald Bell has thrown out Ghetto Robot, but I'm taking other suggestions.
Caption by / Photo by Bonnie Cha/CNET
1 of 11
|

Getting creative with littleBits (photos)

Updated:
Up Next
See Rosetta's final descent to Come...
10

Latest Stories

In-screen fingerprint sensors coming to 100 million phones by 2019?

In-screen fingerprint sensors coming to 100 million phones by 2019?

by
Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99

Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99

by
Icy Mars crater stars in ExoMars' colorful image

Icy Mars crater stars in ExoMars' colorful image

by
Fornite's highly anticipated meteor shower has begun

Fornite's highly anticipated meteor shower has begun

by
Apple will stop selling its AirPort routers when supplies run out

Apple will stop selling its AirPort routers when supplies run out

by
Newark releases its Amazon HQ2 proposal, which highlights the city's diversity, tech infrastructure

Newark releases its Amazon HQ2 proposal, which highlights the city's diversity, tech infrastructure

by