Very Simple Robot for Beginners

This instructable shows you how to make very simple robot. It will detect obstacles and avoiding it. This is great project for someone who is new to arduino and want to make first robot.

Why robot?

Because it's great way to learn arduino programming and how e.g. motor driver works. In addition It's nice feeling when you build your first robot and its detects and avoids objects.

Why this kit is good for start?

When I started with arduino I don't know what e.g. H bridge means, which sensors or motors to buy. This kit is very practical, because you don't need to buy anything else to build your own robot. Only you need is screwdriver, zip-ties, nippers and arduino IDE.

Step 1: Parts

You can either buy a full kit with all the parts that I will use in this project or you can buy everything separately.

Because it is only 25$, it's pretty cheap and in this kit you have all things that you need to start with arduino. Instead of 6 x 1.5V batteries I use my 6V accumulator because I haven't 6 batteries. Additionally you need 2 zip-ties to fasten ultrasonic sensor.

What you can find in the kit?

• Arduino
• Motors driver
• Motors
• Ultrasonic sensor
• Servo
• Plastic plates to build a chassis
• Pieces of plastic to fasten a servo
• Wheels (two big and one small)
• Cables
• 6 x 1.5V and 9V battery holder
• USB cable
• Some small screws and other stuff

Step 2: Chassis Building

This chassis is very easy to build, it came with fitted motors, rear wheel and motor driver. On the video you can see what is inside the pack and how to build it. If this video is too fast for you, you can slow it down in video options on YouTube.

Step 3: Connection

Sorry, that I added notes with names of pins but I can't find this parts on the internet. I connect all things without breadboard. If you have any questions leave a comment. I have not used breadboard to simplify connection and so looks less complicated.

Step 4: Program

In comments I explained what each line makes. This is very simple code I have hope that you understand it.

/*
 * Code wrtitten by Nikodem Bartnk
 * visit:
 * https://www.instructables.com/member/Nikus/
 * http://arduinopolska.cba.pl/
 * https://spongepie.com/
 * 
 * C by Nikodem Bartnik 
 * If you have question you can write here:
 * [e-mail]
 */
 
//speed of motors betwen 0 and 255, if you like you can change it
int pwm_speed = 255;
//trig of ultrasonic sensor
int trig = 12;
//echo of ultrasonic sensor
int echo = 13; 
void setup() {
  //pins for motor controller
pinMode(11, OUTPUT);
pinMode(10, OUTPUT);
pinMode(9, OUTPUT);
pinMode(6, OUTPUT);
pinMode(5, OUTPUT);
pinMode(3, OUTPUT);
//set trig as output and echo as input for ultrasonic sensor
pinMode(trig, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echo,INPUT);
}
void loop() {
digitalWrite(trig, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(trig, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(5);
digitalWrite(trig, LOW);
int duration = pulseIn(echo, HIGH);
int distance = duration / 29 / 2;
if(distance > 10){
   //move forward by 100 ms
   forward(100);
}else if(distance < 10){
  //backward by 1000ms = 1 second
  backward(1000);
  //left by 1000ms = 1 second
   left(1000);
}
}
// function for driving straight
void forward(int delay_time){
  digitalWrite(11, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(10, LOW);
  
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(6, LOW);
  analogWrite(5, pwm_speed);
  analogWrite(3, pwm_speed);
  delay(delay_time);
}
//function for reversing
void backward(int delay_time){
  digitalWrite(11, LOW);
  digitalWrite(10, HIGH);
  
  digitalWrite(9, LOW);
  digitalWrite(6, HIGH);
  analogWrite(5, pwm_speed);
  analogWrite(3, pwm_speed);
  delay(delay_time);
}
//function for turning left
void left(int delay_time){
  digitalWrite(11, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(10, LOW);
  
  digitalWrite(9, LOW);
  digitalWrite(6, LOW);
  analogWrite(5, pwm_speed);
  analogWrite(3, 0);
  delay(delay_time);
}
//function for turning right
void right(int delay_time){
  digitalWrite(11, LOW);
  digitalWrite(10, LOW);
  
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(6, LOW);
  analogWrite(5, 0);
  analogWrite(3, pwm_speed);
  delay(delay_time);
}
//function for stopping motors
void motors_stop(int delay_time){
  
  digitalWrite(11, LOW);
  digitalWrite(10, LOW);
  
  digitalWrite(9,LOW);
  digitalWrite(6, LOW);
  analogWrite(5, 0);
  analogWrite(3, 0);
  delay(delay_time);
}

Step 5: Conclusion

I think that this robot is great for someone who just started with arduino and like to build first robot. Of course if you like you can add some parts and make it more advanced e.g. add bluetooth, android phone and make object tracking robot. Don't forget to leave a comment :)

Have fun with your robot!

Comments

[hobby electronics]

Good job bro

amazing project

[diki578.]

thank's for your article, maybe i can give you more information about robot

<a href="http://robotika.blog.gunadarma.ac.id">more robot</a>

[FaisalF14]

Hi, I have a question how to assemble wheels on chassis boards.

[jhunmar100]

can i ask what title or music did you use as background please??

[Nikus]

First video:

http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.ht...

Second video:

[jhunmar100]

Thank You! ^_^

[wstewl]

Now that I've made this 'robot' (what defines a robot?) I have some useful comments:

Don't bother with the front servo & its mounting hardware-it is not used in the program/'sketch', nor is it included in the wiring diagram above. I used the white circuit board to hold the sensor. We used some duct tape in small loops to attach the board and the clone to the plastic chassis.

The kit includes a 6 position AA battery holder, but he shows above, using only 4 cells - to do so you would have to bypass the others with a jumper wire attached to the springs. We wound up using the 9V holder and inserted the connector into the clone board to power up the whole robot.

Here was a major source of frustration for me: the kit I received had a 'funduino' clone of the Arduino. On the back the printing says: 'www.funduino.com' - but there is no legitimate web site associated with that address. This clone has the square USB connector, as opposed to the rectangular, more common USB connector. A blue cable is provided with the kit. The problem came when I tried to upload the compiled code using the Arduino programming software - it wouldn't upload. Some research suggested to install the drivers for the Chinese clones. A bit confusing since all associated instructions are in Chinese. Finally installed those drivers, but they didn't help. Spent several hours playing with COM port speeds and other options for the Arduino software interface. Here's the answer: chose Arduino Mini as the board! Then it worked immediately.

He doesn't give you clear pin connections for wiring the clone board, but if you blow up the wiring diagram a bit and duplicate his positions it should work. The wiring diagram does show a clone that does not exactly match the pin connections on the one included in the kit.

All in all, it was fun and educational to put it together with my grandkids, and they were delighted when it started working.

[robobot3112]

the power of concentration!

[wstewl]

I see the code sending data to the front servo,

but I can't understand what function that servo is performing.

It looks as if it can change where the ultrasonic sensor is pointing,

but it doesn't seem to be moving in the video.

Why would you move it? It is not 'scanning' the area in front of the robot, is it?

The code is not processing any angular geometry.

[WalidM]

I made it . it works when i use usb for power supply, but it dsnt wrk when i use battery :( whn i cnnct 9v. to arduino , motor dsnt response but arduino still run.

[AsifS6]

hey, is there any function to use the servo?
Cause i cant find the servo in the code, or diagram!!!!

[WalidM]

Pin 5 and 3 for servo motor

[AmateurHour]

I saw in your chassis video you attach the ultrasonic sensor's servo to digital pin 11 but in your other video it looked like all the digital J4 pins were taken, is there an alternative wiring diagram that incorporates the extra servo?

[Breathelessravi26]

From where u learn aurdino programming??? I want to learn

[lokeshcham]

hi this is a great instructable. Thanks for this.
but, Which type of motor driver did you use?

[DIY GUY Chris]

L298N stepper motor driver ;)

[Nikus]

Code or connection?

[onemocke]

Nice project

[Nikus]

Thanks!

[BrownD]

how to order the robot need full details thanks

my email is [e-mail]

0722907681