Makey Vibrobot

30-45 min

Ages 8-13

What Will You Learn?

A vibrobot is a tiny robot powered by a vibrating motor, like the type found in cell phones. Let’s make a paper vibrobot that we can modify and customize.

This project is a sample from our Circuit Scouts Kit, available in the Maker Shed. There are also a guidebook and online educator’s curriculum available for free.

Build Your Vibrobot Paper Model

Step 1

Color your vibrobot template as desired. Assemble the paper template.

Step 2

Cut along the solid lines. Fold along the dotted lines.

Step 3

Glue or tape the tabs into place.

Step 4

Give it personality! Cut out Makey and add him to the front of the bot, or design your own bot.

Add Your Motor

Step 1

Stick the disc motor to the back of your paper bot, near the bottom.

Step 2

Connect the red wire to the positive side (+) of a battery with Maker Tape.

Step 3

Use a loop of invisible tape to attach the battery to the back of the robot near the top with the positive side face down.

Step 4

Connect the blue wire to the negative side of the battery with Maker Tape.

What's Next?

Take what you’ve learned and make your creation better. How can you improve on your vibrobot? Use these ideas as inspiration to create your own version of a vibrobot.