BEAM robots have some very interesting environmental adaptation. They can be made to work on solar power. They can move towards brighter light. They can avoid obstacles. They can be used to handle terrain. There are a lot more things these bots can do and all without a microcontroller. The most common robots are these:
Robots that use solar cells rather than batteries to roll are called solarollers. The main component of the solaroller is the solar engine. It uses solar energy to drive motors.
These are robots that move towards bright light. Their fundamental is to have two light sensors to control two different motors. Obviously one of the sensors will have more light falling on it. The motor connected to this sensor is given less energy and the other motor is given more energy. So the photovore turns towards to the light. There are photovores with other techniques also. The above is the most common
I guess the name is self explanatory. These are robots that walk. They have many motors to coordinate their movement. Motor drivers are used to supply more current to the motors. They are a bit complicated and are meant for advanced beamers. Walkers using solar engines are called solar walkers. Walkers can be fitted with light seekers to make it move towards light. They incorporate complex nervous network circuitry.
These are stationary robots that try to keep looking at light sources. They can either be battery powered or solar powered. They make beautiful desk robots.
Photovore and walkers made by Chiu-Yuan Fang. Solaroller made by Ian Bernstein. Light head made by Frans Storms
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