Let's discuss the components of the robot using the labeled picture as an aid (shown in the following figure):
The following is an explanation for the components of the robot:
- The Raspberry Pi Zero controls the movement of the robot using a motor driver circuit (stacked on top of the Raspberry Pi Zero)
- The motors of the robot are connected to the motor driver circuit
- A USB battery pack is used to power the Raspberry Pi Zero. A separate AA battery pack is used to drive the motors
- The robot is also equipped with a camera module that helps with driving the robot
We have included a suggested list of components where we chose the cheapest source available for the component. You are welcome to substitute with your own components. For example, you can use a webcam instead of using the Raspberry Pi camera module:
| Component | Source | Quantity | Price (in USD) |
| Chassis | https://www.adafruit.com/products/2943 | 1 | 9.95 |
| Chassis top plate | https://www.adafruit.com/products/2944 | 1 | 4.95 |
| A set of M2.5 rows, spacers, and nuts | 1 | 11.99 | |
| DC motors in servo body | https://www.adafruit.com/products/2941 | 2 | 3.50 |
| Wheel | https://www.adafruit.com/products/2744 | 2 | 2.50 |
| Castor wheel | https://www.adafruit.com/products/2942 | 1 | 1.95 |
| Raspberry Pi Zero | https://www.adafruit.com/products/3400 | 1 | 5.00 |
| A Raspberry Pi Zero camera module | 1 | 24.99 | |
| A Raspberry Pi Zero camera adapter | https://www.adafruit.com/products/3157 | 1 | 5.95 |
| A motor driver circuitry for Raspberry Pi Zero | https://www.adafruit.com/products/2348 | 1 | 22.50 |
| USB battery pack | http://a.co/9vQLx2t | 1 | 5.09 |
| AA battery pack (4 batteries) | http://a.co/hVPxfzD | 1 | 5.18 |
| AA batteries | NA | 4 | N.A. |
| Raspberry Pi camera module mount | https://www.adafruit.com/products/1434 | 1 | 4.95 |
In the interest of saving time, we chose off-the-shelf accessories to build robot. We specifically chose Adafruit for the ease of purchase and shipping. If you are interested in building a robot that needs to suit outdoor conditions, we recommend a chassis similar to http://www.robotshop.com/en/iron-man-3-4wd-all-terrain-chassis-arduino.html.
As makers, we recommend making your own chassis and control circuitry (especially the motor drive). You can make use of software such as Autodesk Fusion (the link is available in the resources section) to design the chassis.