Introduction: Build a Robot Boat Using Water Bottles
This will show you how to build a robot boat from cheap and easy to use materials, I think it is also a good example of reusing water bottles.
I used two water bottles, polymorph plastic, two motors and propellers, tape, a box, a battery and a motoruino (Arduino clone designed to work with motors, servos and sensors).
Step 1: Materials Needed:
- Two water bottles
- Two simple dc motors
- Two propellers
- Isolating tape
- Box
- Motoruino (or any other microcontroller and a h-bridge)
- Battery
Step 2: Add the Motor and the Propeller to Each Bottle
- Take out the bottle cap and insert the motor on its mouth (you can use some insulating tape if you see that there is space between the motor and the plastic).
-
Use polymorph to seal the bottle. If this is the first time you're using this material you may find these tutorials helpful:
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/4070
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/1206
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/14041
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/13950
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/16319
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/22005
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/23003
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/23172
- http://letsmakerobots.com/node/26532
- Attach the propeller
Step 3: Connect the Two Bottles
I used a polymorph extruded tube to pass give structure and pass the motors' wires and insulating tape just to support the box.
Step 4: Make the Electrical Connections
If you use a motoruino, you just have to connect the battery and motors' wires to the board. If you use a normal arduino you will have to use a shield or mount the h-bridge on a breadboard.
I used a SFR05 sonar, if you use it too, check this example: http://www.robot-electronics.co.uk/htm/arduino_examples.htm#SRF05 Ultrasonic Ranger
Step 5: Have Fun!
- Put the battery and the arduino at the box and mount it on the robot.
- Upload the code to the microcontroller. If you want to have a look at my code, download it, it is attached.
- Have fun!
Attachments

Finalist in the
Microcontroller Contest

Participated in the
Make It Move Challenge

Participated in the
Toy Challenge
41 Comments
2 years ago
Nice yah it works👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Question 4 years ago on Step 5
hi,do you simulate motion this robot in matlab software?
6 years ago
nice!! it actually work.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCph3AUbLl62Tb8vHkG8pNbQ
6 years ago
so cool :D:D:D:D:D::D:D:D:D:D:D::D:D:D:D:D:::D:D:D:D::D::D:D
7 years ago
http://arduino.cz/arduino-projekty-uno-wifi-lodick...
czech language, use google translator :P
7 years ago
how to attach steering options in the boat using rf module?
7 years ago
thank u very nice so easy
8 years ago
how ll i stear it
8 years ago on Introduction
How do I maintain the orientation of the motor?
8 years ago on Introduction
For some reasons I couldn't open the MiniRobot.pde..
Reply 8 years ago
Awesome idea. Very simple method for achieving something great!
8 years ago on Introduction
what is the program for it to work?
8 years ago on Introduction
Does it actually work?
8 years ago on Introduction
hai dud I cannot find how to use the MiniRobot.pde
8 years ago on Introduction
hai dud I cannot find how to use the MiniRobot.pde
8 years ago on Introduction
hai dud I cannot find how to use the MiniRobot.pde
8 years ago on Introduction
hai dud I cannot find how to use the MiniRobot.pde
8 years ago on Introduction
hai dud I cannot find how to use the MiniRobot.pde
9 years ago on Introduction
hi, are you aware that the props need to be at an angle to run and not straight.
nice idea though
11 years ago on Introduction
i cant get it .
can you plz tell me how you instal sonar on motoruino.
plz