SurferBot V2

Inspired by a survival mechanism initiated by the honeybee trapped on the surface of the water, the SurferBot is a small robot that self-propels on the fluid surface. This low-cost and easily assembled devices is created by combining a coin cell battery with a vibrating pager motor. The SurferBot is able to move thanks to forces arising from a wave-generated, unbalanced momentum flux.

Needed for each SurferBot:

1. 1 cut out acetate sheets for the SurferBot body (ai file below)
2. 1 SurferBot housing with double sided tape on the bottom (stl files below)
3. 1 LR44 Coin Cell Battery (L1154F AG13 357 303 SR44 A76 Premium Alkaline Battery 1.5V Button Coin Cell Batteries)
4. 1 vibrating pager motor (10000rpm Self Adhesive Vibration Motor 10x2mm)

Other Supplies Needed:

1. 1 tub, any size will do, filled with water

(Optional) For a giveaway kit:

1. 3" x 4" plastic bag

Acetate sheets were laser cut on Universal Laser System - Model 4.60 - 30W (Red: Power 50%, Speed 100%, PPI 10000 and Black: Power 5%, Speed 100%, PPI 1000)

Ensure that you have a LR44 coin cell battery, pager motor, acetate sheet, and surfer body and remove from bag. Doublecheck that the surfer has double sided tape on the back.

Remove the double sided tape from the back of the surfer and stick centered onto the acetate sheet. Press firmly to ensure the tape sticks to the sheet.

Using the LR44 coin cell battery, place firmly into the back slot, taking care not to bend the back fins out of place. The battery should slot into place and feel secure.

Place the pager motor into the front slot and angle it such that the wires are facing towards the battery.

Gently pinch the back fins and place the blue (negative) wire on one side of the battery and the red (positive) wire on the other side of the battery. Polarity does not matter as long as both wires are touching seperate sides of the battery. Gently release the fins to press the wires against the battery. The fins should hold the wire in place without any outside intervention!

After you fully connect both wires to the battery, the surfer should begin vibrating! Once it's vibrating, gently place on top of the water. The acetate sheet should float on the top of the water surface. Release and get surfing! The battery enables the motor to run ~1 hour so feel free to disconnect and play til your heart's content!