TankWars: A Physical Video Game

This instructable will show the game TankWars, a web based game played on an iPad that drives a real robot tank to fire lasers at a robot. When you hit the robot target, the game is updated.

The tank and the target are Arduino's equipped with RN-XV WiFly modules, the iPad is using a PHP page to send commands to the tank and read the status of the target.

Robots, tanks and lasers, what more do you need?

This is an improved version of my last instructable, which was a much more basic version. Check that out here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Tankbot-Internet-Controlled-Tank-Robot/

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Parts

For the tank you will need:
-Tamiya Dual Motor Gearbox: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/319
-Tamiya Tank Treads: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/321
-Universal Mounting Platform: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10016
-Arduino Uno
-Arduino Motor Shield
-Sparkfun ProtoScrew Shield: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9729
-Laser Pointer
-Parallax Ping: www.parallax.com/tabid/768/ProductID/92/Default.aspx
-Mini Servo: http://www.hitecrcd.com/products/analog/micro-mini/hs-55.html
-Nuts, Bolts, Standoffs, Plexiglass
-Dynamite Prophet Sport II : http://www.dynamiterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DYN4063
-Dynamite 7.2v Battery: http://www.dynamiterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DYN1466
-WiFly RN-XV : http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10822
-XBee Breakout: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8276

For the target you will need:
-Arduino
-WiFly RN-XV : http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10822
-XBee Shield : http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9976
-Solar Panel: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12609998
-Toy Robot
-Sparkfun TriColor LED :http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10111

ecservices says: Mar 26, 2013. 4:25 PM

Very Nice Build. What would be the range of the tank WI-Fi and could you fit a camera to the tank. i can see multiple tanks running around killing each othrer as a multi player game if they had the range.

fuddle says: May 2, 2012. 2:21 AM

Fantastic tutorial and Instructable. This sets a foundation for so many experiments and possibilities to develop from here. Great work.

ninjannie says: Apr 27, 2012. 3:17 AM

This quite awesome! :) I think it is very creative and thanks for all your hard work!

jcano yribarren says: Apr 26, 2012. 12:27 PM

Wow. Looks pretty well. I only have a suggestion: To make an app to control the tank like you would do it with a remote control. I mean, if you release a button, the tank should stop.
Another improvement could be to control the tank with commands, like:
- up 2 seconds
- turn left 0.5 seconds
- fire
- etc (commands aren't text based but with menus)
The game then would be, starting always from the same position, try to kill the bot. If the tank doesn't kill it, or collide with a wall, then It return to the beginning. This kind of game looks a bit more hard, but more funny too (or I think so) :)

Congratulations for this good job, and excuse my poor English.