Build the unlikely.
Tell us what you want to exist. We tell you honestly if it can be built, what it costs, and where every part comes from. Then we help you make it real.
See an idea get sourced
Reel 01 / 09
Transcontinental railroads
Oakland real-estate film
1928 · Prelinger Archives
Where ideas stall
Most ideas never get built. Not for lack of ambition, but three questions.
- Can it actually be built?
- What will it really cost?
- Where does every part come from?
Unlikely answers all three before you spend a dollar, then coordinates the build across America's suppliers, machine shops, and makers. Here's one idea, sourced.
One idea, sourced
An explorer rover
An example build sourced from 6 suppliers in 5 states and shipped to the builder in Columbus, OH.
- Chassis plates, laser-cut aluminum$48 – $56SendCutSend · Reno, NV
- Gear motors and mounting brackets$90Pololu · Las Vegas, NV
- Tracks, sprockets, hubs and idlers$75 – $95ServoCity · Winfield, KS
- Motor driver and 5 V regulator$110Pololu · Las Vegas, NV
- Raspberry Pi 5 and camera$162Adafruit · New York, NY
- 12 V battery and charger$80ServoCity · Winfield, KS
- Standoffs and fasteners$19 – $24McMaster-Carr · Elmhurst, IL
- Custom control board$31 – $40OSH Park · Lake Oswego, OR
The reality check
Not as first listed. The motor driver was too small for the motors, and nothing brought the Pi down to 5 V. This version passes the power checks.
- Parts
- $615 – $657
- Build time
- 2 – 3 weekends
- Suppliers
- 6, in 5 states
- Top risk
- Driver board not confirmed for Raspberry Pi 5
Example · dated supplier prices, 3 of 8 estimated