Smart Claw Picker
Design and build an articulated grabbing mechanism that identifies and picks specific objects using sensors and logic.
Materials You'll Need
- LEGO Mindstorms set with advanced motors/servos OR Arduino + servo motors
- Color or distance sensor (a camera + image library is a stretch option)
- This printable design doc
- Pencil + materials to build claw (LEGO, cardboard, 3D-printed parts if available)
- Small objects to pick (blocks, balls, toys, or items of different colors/weights)
Hi, Bot Track Projects · smart-claw-picker · Print-friendly · hibot.space/track-projects
How It Works
- 1
Design a claw/gripper: articulated arm, pneumatic, or servo-driven. Sketch it.
- 2
Add a color or distance sensor (image recognition is a stretch goal). Decide: what will it detect?
- 3
Write a decision flowchart: 'If sensor detects [property] → move arm to [position] → close gripper → lift. If not, search for next object.'
- 4
Build and test: Can it pick up the right object? Does it grip without crushing?
- 5
Tune: Adjust grip strength, movement speed, sensor sensitivity.
- 6
Challenge yourself: Can it pick multiple objects in sequence? Pick the heaviest? Pick only red objects?
Your Work
Design sketch + sensor choice explanation + final flowchart + test results (success rate). Video demo. 1-paragraph reflection on what made it work or fail.
Claw design
My sensor and what it detects
Decision flowchart
Trials
| # | Target | Picked? | Grip OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Parent Notes
This is the most complex project. Help your child plan the mechanical arm first (what joints? how many motors?), then the logic. Encourage iterative testing and refinement. Ask: 'What would make this work reliably? What's the hardest part—mechanics or logic?'
Reflect
What did you learn? What was hard? What would you do differently next time?
Made by Hi, Bot. Learn more at hibot.space/track-projects