Easy⏱ time20 min$ cost5
Bristlebot
A toothbrush head, a coin motor and a battery make a buzzing bug that scurries across the table.
Start building ↓
Result first
The build
Step 01
Trim the brush
Cut the head off a toothbrush.
Step 02
Add the motor
Tape the vibrating motor on top.
Step 03
Connect power
Wire the motor to the coin battery.
Step 04
Let it scoot
Vibration makes it skitter forward.
Working Principle
The off-centre motor shakes the body; the angled bristles flex and grip on each buzz, ratcheting the bot forward.
The science behind it
A closer look
Vibration plus directional bristle 'legs' turns random shaking into net forward motion — the simplest robot locomotion.
Take it further
Variables to test
- 1 Angle the bristles differently — does it turn?
- 2 Add weight — faster or slower?
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