diff --git a/lib/validator.js b/lib/validator.js
index cc35072..06f60d7 100644
--- a/lib/validator.js
+++ b/lib/validator.js
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 
 // validates an Object containing Robot parameters
 
-var Logger = require("./logger");
+var Logger = require("./logger"),
+    _ = require("./utils/helpers");
 
 function hasProp(object, prop) {
   return object.hasOwnProperty(prop);
@@ -14,32 +15,79 @@ function die() {
   throw RobotDSLError;
 }
 
-function log(messages) {
+function warn(messages) {
   messages = [].concat(messages);
-  messages.map(function(msg) { Logger.fatal(msg); });
+  messages.map(function(msg) { Logger.warn(msg); });
 }
 
-var check = {};
+function fatal(messages) {
+  messages = [].concat(messages);
+  messages.map(function(msg) { Logger.fatal(msg); });
+  die();
+}
 
-check.singleObjectSyntax = function(opts, key) {
+var checks = {};
+
+checks.singleObjectSyntax = function(opts, key) {
   var single = hasProp(opts, key),
       plural = hasProp(opts, key + "s");
 
   if (single && !plural) {
-    log([
+    fatal([
       "The single-object '" + key + "' syntax for robots is not valid.",
       "Instead, use the multiple-value '" + key + "s' key syntax.",
       "Details: http://cylonjs.com/documentation/guides/working-with-robots/"
     ]);
+  }
+};
 
-    die();
+checks.singleObjectSyntax = function(opts) {
+  ["connection", "device"].map(function(key) {
+    var single = hasProp(opts, key),
+        plural = hasProp(opts, key + "s");
+
+    if (single && !plural) {
+      fatal([
+        "The single-object '" + key + "' syntax for robots is not valid.",
+        "Instead, use the multiple-value '" + key + "s' key syntax.",
+        "Details: http://cylonjs.com/documentation/guides/working-with-robots/"
+      ]);
+    }
+  });
+};
+
+checks.deviceWithoutDriver = function(opts) {
+  if (opts.devices) {
+    _.each(opts.devices, function(device, name) {
+      if (!device.driver || device.driver === "") {
+        fatal("No driver supplied for device " + name);
+      }
+    });
+  }
+};
+
+checks.devicesWithoutConnection = function(opts) {
+  var connections = opts.connections,
+      devices = opts.devices;
+
+  if (devices && connections && Object.keys(connections).length > 1) {
+    var first = Object.keys(connections)[0];
+
+    _.each(devices, function(device, name) {
+      if (!device.connection || device.connection === "") {
+        warn([
+          "No explicit connection provided for device " + name,
+          "Will default to using connection " + first
+        ]);
+      }
+    });
   }
 };
 
 module.exports.validate = function validate(opts) {
   opts = opts || {};
 
-  ["connection", "device"].map(function(type) {
-    check.singleObjectSyntax(opts, type);
+  _.each(checks, function(check) {
+    check(opts);
   });
 };