Not sure what to do with that broken-down pile of pink plastic and purple wheels that little Kaitlyn hasn't played with for years? Why, turn it into a robot! Equal parts junked-out Barbie Jammin' Jeep and cleverly programmed electronic components, robot makers use more than a little artistry plus some innovative engineering—not to mention plenty of determination and elbow grease—to create some zippy, sizable bots.

This weekend at Maker Faire, ACC, Robot Group, Capitol BEST, and others will have on hand a few choice bots and buggies. Learn how the robots are assembled, drive 'em around via remote in a nice big robot pen, and control a creature, affectionately referred to as "Big Wheel", by website linkup. Photos and info courtesy of Bob Comer and Don Holden, who teach the Robotic Fundamentals class at ACC—an intro to building and programing robots.

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