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Make: Volume 55 — DIY Robots is a real back issue built around approachable robotics, from a two-wheeled balancing bot to LEGO-compatible walking mechanisms. It also includes plenty of projects that are not robots. The issue can still be useful for project ideas and mechanical inspiration, but it dates from the 2010s, so verify parts, files and software before you start. The digital edition was listed as available when checked on August 18, 2026; print availability was less clear.
What is Make: Volume 55?
Make: Magazine, Volume 55 — DIY Robots is a project magazine, not a single step-by-step robotics course or an all-in-one kit. Its robotics coverage brings together motors, sensors, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, LEGO-compatible construction, 3D printing, FPV video and programming. Make describes the issue as containing more than 24 projects overall; that does not mean it contains 24 robot builds. Robotics is concentrated in a special section called “Bot Factory,” alongside electronics, craft, fabrication and general maker features. See Make’s official issue page and contents.
The companion posts in Make’s Volume 55 archive date to January and February 2017. Treat the issue as a historical source of designs and ideas, not a current guide to what kits, operating systems or components are on the market.
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The robotics projects: what each one offers
EddiePlus: Self-Balancing Robot
EddiePlus is a two-wheeled balancing robot with FPV camera control. It is an appealing compact build, but not necessarily a beginner’s easiest first robot: balance depends on the relationship between the frame, wheels, sensor readings and control loop. Expect calibration and iterative tuning, and pay attention to wheel alignment, sensor mounting and where the battery sits. Choose it if you already have some experience with motors, sensors and microcontrollers, or want to learn how those systems interact.
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Chip-E: Bipedal Robot
Chip-E is an Arduino-powered, 3D-printed robot designed for a moon-walking or dancing-style gait. It is a more involved mechanical showpiece than a simple wheeled rover. You will need printed parts (from your own printer or another source), actuators or servos, careful assembly and code iteration. The issue page confirms the broad platform and project description, but not a complete current bill of materials or exact board revision. Check the project instructions before buying components.
TrotBot: Better Than a Beest
TrotBot is a high-stepping walker built with LEGO-compatible elements and inspired by Strandbeest-style motion. Its visible linkage makes it a natural choice for families, classrooms and makers interested in mechanical design: you can study how motion is produced without starting with sophisticated software. Keep one distinction in mind: a walking mechanism is not automatically an autonomous robot. A mechanical walker can move without sensing its surroundings or making decisions.
Color-Sensing Sound Sequencer
This interactive project uses colored LEGO elements to trigger or sequence sound samples. It is a useful way to explore sensors, event logic and physical interfaces without building a conventional mobile robot. Before sourcing parts, check which sensor and controller the original instructions specify; similar-looking components are not always electrically or programmatically interchangeable.
My Mini Mars Rover
The issue describes a low-cost sample-return-style rover associated with the NASA Centennial Challenge. It is best understood as an educational design project, not NASA-certified hardware, a flight-qualified machine or a rover suitable for actual planetary deployment. Its appeal is in exploring how a rover concept can be approached with inexpensive materials.
The Little Boat That Could
This feature follows a solar-powered autonomous boat on a transoceanic journey. It is more useful as an engineering case study than as a straightforward weekend build. Long-range autonomous boating brings together energy budgeting, waterproofing, navigation, communications and recovery planning. Do not assume the feature supplies a complete, currently reproducible build plan; consult the original coverage for its actual scope.
ROS and programmable robot kits
“Smooth Servo Control with ROS” introduces the Robot Operating System, while the issue’s kit coverage surveys programmable robot sidekicks rather than declaring one universally best choice. Both are historical material. ROS distributions, installation steps, package names, operating-system support and hardware interfaces change; do not assume the magazine’s instructions match a current setup. Likewise, a kit guide written for the 2017 market cannot establish that a listed kit is still sold or supported.
When comparing a robot kit today, consider whether it uses block-based coding, Python or another text language, Arduino-style firmware, or a proprietary app; whether its hardware and software are open; whether replacement parts remain available; and whether a school can manage multiple units. Those practical questions matter more than a single “best kit” label.
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The issue identifies Chip-E as Arduino-powered and includes Raspberry Pi material, but its overview does not establish exact board revisions for every project. Broadly, Arduino-class microcontrollers are a natural fit for direct sensor and actuator control. Raspberry Pi-class computers run Linux and are better suited to tasks such as networking, cameras, higher-level software and user interfaces. Some builds combine these roles, but the right arrangement depends on the project instructions and hardware.
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Do not buy a board based only on a project name. Confirm its required pins, libraries, operating system, voltage levels and peripheral compatibility in the linked project material. Official starting points include Arduino and Raspberry Pi; neither general product page guarantees compatibility with a particular 2017 build.
There is more than robotics inside
The issue’s broader contents may be a plus if you want a general maker magazine, but less valuable if you only want robotics. Non-robot projects include Raspberry Potter, a Raspberry Pi-controlled lamp operated by a gesture-recognizing wand; PIX-E, a 3D-printed GIF camera; LED Matrix Handbag 2.0, which pairs a light-up purse with a phone; a DIY evaporative air conditioner; a hidden-switch random yes/no circuit; a 20-watt stereo amplifier with lighting effects; an LED-and-embroidery “beating heart”; and hand-sewn leather techniques.
There is also multimeter instruction, cordless angle-grinder and pocket-screwdriver reviews, a review of a 2020 Prusa i3 kit from Folger Tech, and family, science-fair and maker-showcase material. These features add variety, but product reviews and service integrations from the issue’s era should not be taken as current buying advice.
Which project should you start with?
| Your goal | Good place to begin | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Explore mechanical motion with little coding | TrotBot | Exact LEGO-compatible parts or linkage dimensions may require substitutions. |
| Try sensors and interactive behavior | Color-Sensing Sound Sequencer | Check sensor, controller and sound-output compatibility. |
| Build a small mobile robot | EddiePlus | Balancing needs mechanical precision and control-loop tuning. |
| Make a walking robot showpiece | Chip-E | Plan for printed parts, actuators, assembly and gait debugging. |
| Learn about robotics software | The ROS servo-control feature | Use it as historical context; independently verify current ROS instructions. |
| Find an activity for a family or classroom | TrotBot or the robot-kit overview | Check parts availability, supervision needs and whether a kit still has support. |
| Get maker ideas beyond robotics | PIX-E, Raspberry Potter, the LED handbag or multimeter material | The issue’s breadth may matter more than its robotics depth. |
What to check before buying parts
The official issue overview names projects and broad platforms; it does not provide the complete electrical specifications for each build. Do not infer voltages, currents, battery chemistry, connector types or exact board models from a project title. Before ordering, find the individual instructions and confirm:
- the exact board, sensors, motor driver, motors or servos, connectors and mechanical parts;
- whether code, CAD files, linked repositories and supporting images are still accessible;
- the software and library versions, and whether they run on your computer or board;
- dimensions, mounting details and electrical ratings before substituting a component;
- whether the project requires a 3D printer, LEGO-compatible parts, soldering or specialist tools.
Assume that an older build may involve discontinued kits, unavailable shields, changed Raspberry Pi accessories, broken external links, older Arduino libraries, obsolete app or cloud integrations, or ROS commands that no longer work. A current-looking replacement is not automatically equivalent: a different servo, motor driver or sensor may have different electrical ratings, dimensions or software support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Safety and common build problems
Check battery polarity and connector compatibility before powering a circuit. Make sure a motor driver can handle a motor’s stall current, not just its typical running current. Some designs need separate motor and logic supplies, with grounds connected as the circuit requires. Servos can cause controller resets if the supply cannot handle their current demand. Use suitable charging equipment and a safe enclosure for rechargeable lithium batteries, keep exposed wiring away from children, and do not overload USB ports or regulators.
Mechanical problems often masquerade as software problems. Loose printed joints, warped parts, frame flex, backlash, insufficient traction, a shifted battery or a servo horn set at the wrong neutral angle can all undermine a build. For a balancing robot, start with a stable frame and repeatable sensor readings before trying to tune the control behavior. For a walker, inspect the linkage and joint movement before changing code.
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A practical way to use this older issue
- Choose one project. Match its fabrication and programming demands to your experience; do not treat the cover theme as a promise that every project is beginner-level.
- Find the companion material. Start with the official Volume 55 archive and follow any project links that remain available.
- Confirm the bill of materials. Record board model, electrical requirements, mechanical dimensions and any files you need before ordering.
- Check software support. Identify the original versions and dependencies, then confirm they still work on your hardware before committing to the build.
- Substitute cautiously. Change one part at a time and document the replacement, its ratings and any code changes.
- Test in stages. Check power first, then sensors and actuators separately, before assembling and debugging the complete machine.
- Keep the magazine’s diagrams in context. They can remain useful for understanding the intended mechanism even when a part or software workflow needs updating.
Who is it for?
A good fit: makers who want project inspiration rather than a linear course; readers drawn to walking, balancing and interactive robots; people with access to basic electronics tools, a microcontroller or SBC, LEGO-compatible parts, or 3D printing; and anyone willing to adapt older instructions. Its mix of robotics and general projects also suits readers who enjoy varied maker topics.
A weaker fit: anyone who needs a turnkey kit with every component included, guaranteed current support, or fully up-to-date instructions for modern AI, computer vision, autonomous navigation or ROS 2. It may also disappoint a reader seeking only robotics, since many projects are not robots. If you do not have fabrication equipment, check whether printed parts or other custom components can be sourced before choosing Chip-E or another fabrication-heavy build.
Availability and price
Maker Shed’s U.S. product page listed the digital edition at $7.99 and showed a $9.99 price for print when checked on August 18, 2026. Digital was reported available. Print availability was contradictory: the page displayed an in-stock message, while its product data indicated unavailable with zero inventory. Treat print stock as uncertain and confirm at checkout. Prices and availability can change; shipping is calculated at checkout. Check the official Maker Shed listing for the current status.
Make’s issue page also advertises a four-issue subscription and savings of more than 40% against annual cover price, but that does not make a subscription the obvious choice if you want only Volume 55. See Make’s subscription page for current terms.
Verdict
Volume 55 is worth considering as a varied project magazine and a source of accessible robotics ideas, especially if you can verify and adapt older builds. TrotBot is the clearest entry point for mechanical motion; EddiePlus and Chip-E offer more demanding control or fabrication challenges. Buy it for the designs, explanations and range of maker projects—not on the assumption that every kit, part or software instruction remains current.
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