Make an Arduino Robot

An autonomous light-seeking an obstacle avoiding robot for Arduino Makers that want to learn the hard way

What you'll learn

Use continuous rotation servos
Use micro servos
Use light sensors to find the bearing of a light source
Usa rotating distance sensor to find a free path
Design a custom moving robot on a breadboard
Understand the basic challenges of robot design
Use a prototyping shield to produce a refined prototype

Requirements

Arduino Step by Step Getting Started
Basic understanding of the Arduino
The hardware components needed to build the course robot (see section 1 for details)
Basic tools like a screwdriver, tweezers, cutters, basic multimeter etc (see section 1 for details)
A computer
The Arduino IDE (free download)

Description

"Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn."
- Benjamin Franklin

I have designed this Arduino project course as an opportunity for you to get deep into the messy details of understanding, designing and constructing a simple yet infinitely extensible wheeled robot.

From figuring out what the robot is supposed to do, to selecting the right parts, configuring them, assembling them and testing them, all the way to producing a refined outcome, this project emphasises the iterative process of problem-solving.

By the end of the course, you will have created an Arduino wheeled robot that can navigate towards a light source and avoid obstacles along the way, on its own. But more than that, by the end of the course you will have become a better problem solver. You will have experience in analysing problems and designing solutions. You will be able to integrate simple mechanical parts with motors, batteries, sensors and other electronics.

The ideal student for this course is someone who has completed Arduino Step by Step Getting Started or has a good basic level of understanding of the Arduino. You already know how to write simple sketches and wire components in a breadboard. Although I will be showing the robot building process in great detail, having a basic level understanding of the Arduino will make this project a lot more enjoyable for you.

I invite you to review the free lectures in the first section of the course to find out more details about it.

If you are excited about becoming a Maker with the Arduino, join many other Makers and me in Make an Arduino Robot!

I look forward to learning with you!

Who this course is for:

Arduino Makers looking for a challenging but rewarding project
Graduates of Arduino Step by Step Getting Started
Makers who want to improve their understanding of motors, sensors, system design