Arduino Marble Cardboard Maze Labyrinth

I show you how to make an Arduino controlled Marble Maze Labyrinth board game that is super easy and fun to make. And the best part is it's made From Cardboard.

The idea of the game is to navigate the marble through the maze to reach the portal at the end to win the game.

Of course, there are many ideas to improve this game and make it more fun, such as pudding some sensors at the end, buzzer to play a tone when while playing or even pinch some holes in the maze itself.

The Idea

I got bored from the electronic game and I started to search about the physical skill games, so I’ve found the Labyrinth and I liked it.

What is the Labyrinth?

The labyrinth is a game of physical skill consisting of a box with a maze on top with holes, and a steel marble. The object of the game is to try to tilt the playfield to guide the marble to the end of the maze, without letting it fall into any of the holes. Some versions of the game feature a suspended maze surface that rotates on two axes, each of which is controlled by a knob. Small handheld versions of the game are sold, with the box being completely closed with a transparent cover on top. The game was developed by BRIO in Sweden and first released there in 1946.

Isn’t time to develop this game?!!

Step 1: Design

I started to design my own Labyrinth maze using sketch up pro to imagine how this game will look like. And I was careful to give it a suitable size and make it pretty easy because kids may start to build their own maze too.

The design files are available to download to make your own game out of cardboard in One hour only.

and soon the laser cut files will be available.

Step 2: Components

Materials

• A sheet of Cardboard 3mm

Tools

• Hot glue
• Sharp-Blade Knife
• Ruler
• Pencil

Components

1. Arduino (Any board type)
2. Mini bread board
3. Jumper wires
4. 2X servo motor 9g
5. Joystick module
6. 2 screws & nuts 12mm by 3mm

Step 3: Cut Out the Shape

Print out the attached file and follow the following steps:

1. Cut out one 20 cm by 20 cm square for the base of the labyrinth.
2. Cut out two 14 cm by 16 cm isosceles trapezium for the sides of the labyrinth.
3. Make a rectangle hole in one of these two pieces for the servo motor (X axis).
4. Drill a 3mm hole in the other piece in the exact middle to be against the servo shaft on the other side (X axis).
5. Next, you will need to cut out four 14 cm by 4 cm rectangles for the support in the interior of the labyrinth.
6. Drill a 3mm hole in the other piece in the exact middle to be against the servo shaft on the other side (Y axis).
7. Make a rectangle hole in the middle as shown in one of these four pieces for the servo motor (Y axis).
8. Choose your own maze from the attached files in the article, then cut out 12 cm by 12 cm square for the maze.
9. Tip* Glue the paper maze to be as a guide for you.
10. You will need to cut out at least eight 1.5 cm by 12 cm rectangles for the walls in your labyrinth. Next you will need to cut them so that they are the right size and can fit in your labyrinth.
11. Follow the guide lines then glue the pieces in its place to become the wall of the maze.
12. Glue the servo motors in its place as shown.
13. Glue the servo motor horn in the rectangle pieces.

Step 4: Wiring

Connect the wires of the servos and joystick as shown in the sketch

1. Arduino Pin 8 to yellow wire in servo 1 (X-axis)
2. Arduino Pin 9 to yellow wire in servo 1 (Y-axis)
3. Red & Brown wires to the breadboard.
4. Arduino Pin A0 to Joystick pin VRx
5. Arduino Pin A1 to Joystick pin VRy
6. Joystick VCC and GND to the breadboard.
7. Arduino 5V and GND to the breadboard.

Step 5: Coding

1. Connected your Arduino board to the PC using its USB cable.
2. Open Arduino IED
3. Copy the paste the code into a new sketch
4. Make sure of the name of serial port by clicking Tools menu > board > choose the active serial port
5. Click the upper circler button to upload the code.
6. Once you get the message done you’re ready to go.

Step 6: Video

Comments

[wake125122]

Is it possible to see the video? It says it is private.

[rquick007]

Well, chaps I have made this, my first project. But the movement is not smooth in X and Y jumps in steps.
Anything I can do about it?
Thanks Richard

[FabioR]

Hello,

I faced the same issue, then I make this function to set the servos' position in smoothest way. But it's still a little unstable.

void setAngle(Servo s, int targetAngle) {
int angleNow = s.read();
if (angleNow < targetAngle) {
for (angleNow; angleNow < targetAngle; angleNow++) {
s.write(angleNow);
delay(30);
}
}
if (angleNow > targetAngle) {
for (angleNow; angleNow > targetAngle; angleNow--) {
s.write(angleNow);
delay(30);
}
}
}

Hope this help you and others

[AengusR]

In your gallery pictures above you have detailed diagrams on your desk but in the downloads they are a bit basic! where do I get the detailed drawings?

[amillette]

This is a great project and instructable. Do you happen to have the finished laser cut files completed?

[hugomg_14]

hello, many graicas, of course yes, this is my mail to receive the plans: [e-mail]

[MrBoulanger]

1. Can I use a stepper motor included in an arduino kit instead of a servo motor?
2. Will any 9g servo motor work or do I need a special one to work with the Arduino board. Amazon has a number of options and I'm confused...lol.

Thx for the help!

[bekathwia]

Hi, nope, servos and steppers are very different, here's more info: https://www.instructables.com/lesson/Motors-and-Motion/ , but just about any servo will do!

[ahmedazouz]

Exactly bekathwia .

[ahmedazouz]

You're most welcome :) .

[hugomg_14]

Hello, will you have files available for laser cutting? regards

[ahmedazouz]

Yes, I'm preparing it and it will be available to download so soon.
you may leave your email or something to comuanicate u once it get ready.

[Azmi Deliaslan]

Eline sağlık ahmedazouz Çok sade ve harika dizayn etmişsin :d

[ahmedazouz]

çok teşekkür ederim SATDELIASLAN