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Build an Arduino Robot

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Summary

Areas of Science
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Short (2-5 days)
Credits
Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies
Build an Arduino Robot with your Science Buddies Bluebot Kit
*Note: For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.

If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.

Abstract

The Science Buddies Bluebot Kit contains parts to build four different robots:

However, in each project, the sensors are hard-wired to control the robot's motors. This allows the robot to steer left and right based on input from two sensors, but it does not allow the robot to perform more complex behaviors. For example, it cannot back up and turn around, drive through a pre-planned path, or use multiple types of sensors at once. That is where a programmable microcontroller like an Arduino comes in. You can use the Arduino to take readings from multiple sensors and program how the robot should respond. Can you add an Arduino to your Bluebot kit and design an autonomous robot that can drive around your home? You will need to do some of your own research, prototyping, and testing to figure out how to do this. The suggestions below and resources in the Bibliography section will help you get started. Arduino starter kits like the Elegoo UNO Super Starter Kit contain many of the parts you will need for this project.

Bluebot robot chassis with a breadboard circuit and Arduino Uno mounted on top.
Figure 1. A Bluebot with an Arduino and multiple sensors.

Bibliography

General electronics tutorials:

Reference for using an Arduino:

Reference for using the L293D motor driver chip:

Bluebot project instructions with more details about each sensor:

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Ask an Expert

Do you have specific questions about your science project? Our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.

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Contact Us

If you have purchased a kit for this project from Science Buddies, we are pleased to answer your questions.

In your email, please follow these instructions:
  1. What is your Science Buddies kit order number?
  2. Please describe how you need help as thoroughly as possible:

    Examples

    Good Question I'm trying to do Experimental Procedure step #5, "Scrape the insulation from the wire. . ." How do I know when I've scraped enough?
    Good Question I'm at Experimental Procedure step #7, "Move the magnet back and forth . . ." and the LED is not lighting up.
    Bad Question I don't understand the instructions. Help!
    Good Question I am purchasing my materials. Can I substitute a 1N34 diode for the 1N25 diode called for in the material list?
    Bad Question Can I use a different part?

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Cite This Page

General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Finio, Ben. "Build an Arduino Robot." Science Buddies, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Robotics_p031/robotics/build-arduino-robot. Accessed 7 June 2023.

APA Style

Finio, B. (2023, February 23). Build an Arduino Robot. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Robotics_p031/robotics/build-arduino-robot


Last edit date: 2023-02-23
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