Scooter Bot - 3D Printed Vibrating Robot Toy

This fun 3D printed toy was inspired by Bristle Bots, the famous DIY vibrating robot we love to make in education with nothing but a toothbrush head, vibrating motor, battery, and maybe some googly eyes. 👀

We wanted to make a 3D printed version that's easy for anyone to build, and after many iterations, we had a design that worked! Not only is this super fun to make in the classroom or STEAM workshops, it is also a wonderful way to raise money for your maker clubs.

Extend the fun with your own customizations, like the wiggly eyes print or other fun attachments.

Watch the video for the full story, build instructions, and tutorials on creating custom attachments in Tinkercad. Have fun making!

WARNING: This build contains small parts and batteries that are dangerous if swallowed. Never allow small children to play with this toy unless under strict adult supervision. Be smart and be safe!

For this project, you will need access to a 3D printer to print the files. You will also need CR2032 batteries and small vibrating button motors. That's it, pretty simple!

3D Print Files on MakerWorld

Scooter Bot Model: https://makerverse.short.gy/MakerWorld

CR2032 Button Batteries

Batteries (Amazon): https://amzn.to/40dT0ot

Vibrating Button Motors

Vibrating Motors 2.7-3mm (Aliexpress): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omGUnqH

Vibrating Motors 2.7-3mm (Amazon): https://amzn.to/40iMEVa

Note: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which help support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the maker movement!

Once you have printed the STL files, remove the adhesive backing from the vibrating motor and insert it in the gap on one of the Scooter Bot halves.

Press the two halves firmly together, no glue needed. Make sure the wires are sticking out and not pinched by the two printed halves.

Carefully slide each wire through one of the holes on each half of Scooter Bot, making sure the metal tip of the wires are just poking through to the inside of the slot where the battery will be inserted.

You'll want just enough wire exposed so that the tips make contact with the positive and negative sides of the battery when inserted in the slot.

Insert the battery in the slot on top of your robot to start the vibration. Push up from the bottom of the robot to remove the battery when it's time for a break.

Have fun making your own customizations on Tinkercad or other modeling apps. You can check out a couple ideas in the second half of the video for step-by-step inspiration. Enjoy!