Introduction: Upgrade Motor Shield for SMARS Robot Arduino - Upload Code Over Bluetooth

By Bluino
About: I am Bluino Electronics.

There are several motor shield options that you can use with Arduino Uno on this SMARS robot project, very commonly using Motor Shield V1 made by Adafruit or compatible (clone from China), but the disadvantage of this shield does not have the Bluetooth connectivity is needed for SMARS robot project controlled by an Android phone.

In this instruction you will be shown step by step upgrading your Shield V1 motor. Let's get started!.

Step 1: ​Part List

You Will Need the Components Below

  • Motor Shield V1
  • Bluetooth Module HC-05
  • Active Buzzer
  • 1uF/50V bipolar capacitor
  • 100 Ohm 1/8W resistor
  • Slide Switch SPDT
  • 1x6 male pin header (3 pcs)
  • 6 Dupont cable 20cm

Step 2: Configure Bluetooth HC-05

Before starting to build an upgraded motor shield, the first step you need to do is configure the Bluetooth HC-05 module with the following parameters:

AT+NAME = Bluino#01
AT+BAUD = 115200,0,0
AT+POLAR = 1.0

For complete instructions, follow all steps in the instructables here.

Step 3: Circuit Diagram

For easy to build you can refer to the following schematic.

Step 4: Remove Jumper Header

First, To install the switch you need to remove the jumper header first.

Step 5: Cut Switch Feet

Cut one of the side switch feet.

Step 6: Solder Switch

Attach and solder the switch to the place of jumper header.

Step 7: Solder Pin Header

Attach and solder 3 pcs the 1x6 male pin header.

Step 8: Attach Tape

Use double-sided tape or hot glue gun to attach the Bluetooth module into top on motor shield.

Step 9: Put HC-05

Put the Bluetooth module as shown in the picture.

Step 10: Cut Cable

Connect the dupont cable then cut about 10cm.

Step 11: Solder 5V & GND

Connect between Bluetooth module HC-05 with Motor Shield, you need to solder VCC to 5V and GND to GND.

Step 12: Solder Capacitor

Solder to connect STATE pin to positif pin of capacitor, then negative pin of capacitor connect to RESET pin.

Step 13: Solder TX & RX

Solder to connect RX of HC-05 to TX on motor shield by added a resistor in series, then TX of HC-05 to RX on motor shield by added a resistor in series.

Step 14: Bend Buzzer Feet

Next install the buzzer, first you need to bend feet as shown in the picture.

Step 15: Solder Buzzer Cable

Solder the about 8 cm cable on the negative pin of buzzer.

Step 16: Solder Buzzer

Attach and solder positive pin of buzzer to hole beside pin D2 on motor shield.

Step 17: Solder Cable

Finally solder the extension cable from negative pin of buzzer to GND.

Step 18: Finnish

You have completed all the steps and your upgraded motor shield will look like picture. Attach upgraded shield on Arduino Uno with SMARS robot.

Step 19: Ready to Program & Control

Now, your SMARS robot already to programmed & controlled over bluetooth, you can use Arduino IDE on computer or use SMARS App on Android.

Step 20: Enjoy

Hopefully you enjoy it. If you do and done, please share "I Made it!" to let me know how much is worked. Share the link, like and subscribe. As always, if you have any questions please let me know!