Full step-by-step instructions for making a simple and inexpensive robot platform using DC motors and hardware store parts have been posted to the mirobo.tech website. 

This platform design specifically targets schools or maker spaces which have tools available to cut the wood for the bases and wheels, as well as a way of cutting the steel axle rods. While a hobbyist can use the design to build one or two robots, it makes more sense to buy the specified materials to build a class set of robots. Ideally, the facility would need to have or have access to: a table saw to cut the platforms to size and to cut the axle slot in them, a rotary tool or metal cut-off saw to cut the hardened steel axles, and a drill press with various sizes of drill bits to drill the mounting holes in the platform and axle holes in the wheels.

The design of this platform is a great choice for beginners building line following robots and simple exploration robots as the drive system includes the ability to slip when the robot encounters an obstacle. Gear motors are a better choice for building Sumo robots, but cost significantly more if the goal is to produce an introductory robot project for youngsters as a school or maker space project. To minimize costs even more, this design can be adapted to use commonly available scrap material for the platforms (instead of buying sheets of MDF) and surplus store DC motors.