Top 10 Arduino Robot Projects
Arduino is a microcontroller board that can generate output according to given instructions. Due to its open-source platform, Arduino is famous among the DIY community. Multiple enthusiasts have already designed thousands of Arduino projects at the time you are reading this article. So, it makes it easy for the beginners to change some hardware, interface a new sensor, write a few lines of extra code, and convert that into the first Arduino based project. Not only that Arduino is capable enough to convert prototype projects into sellable products.
Following is the list of top 10 Arduino based robotic projects:
- Robotic Arm
- Real Time Face Detection Robot
- Floor Cleaning Robot
- Line Follower Robot
- Chess Robot
- Maze Solver
- Arduino Based Quadcopter
- Traffic Control System
- CNC Plotter Machine
- 3D Printer
1. Arduino Robotic Arm
Robotic arm is a mechanical arm that works like a human arm but with programmable features and it can even do the tasks which a human arm cannot do. Robotic arms are widely used in industries for automating a certain task such as assembling a car or designing an Arduino board. Robotic arms can do repetitive tasks for continuous periods.
Using Arduino, we can design a robotic arm we just need following equipment:
- Arduino board
- Servo motors
- 3D printed arms
- Breadboard
- Jumper wires
- Potentiometer
Click here to see more details.
2. Real Time Face Detection Robot
Face recognition features are used everywhere from unlocking a smartphone or opening a door. Using Arduino, we can design an AI powered robot which compares data it reads to its database and determines who is authorized. Designing AI based face tracking robots using Arduino is very simple. We just need the following equipment and need to write a few lines of code:
- Arduino board
- Servo motors
- Smartphone or mini camera
- Bluetooth module
- 3D printer
- 9V battery
To read more about face recognition robots click here.
3. Floor Cleaning Robot
Cleaning a room or house is always a hectic task when we are so busy in our lives. Today in this modern world everyone wants to automate tasks that take time. Taking an opportunity, different tech companies have designed their home cleaning robot but the downside to them is not everybody can afford them. Why not design a DIY based floor cleaning robot according to our personal needs.
Following is the list of equipment necessary to make cleaning robot:
- Arduino board
- Multiple ultrasonic sensor
- L293D Motor driver module
- Motor Wheels
- Voltage regulators LM7805
- Lithium-ion battery
- IR module
- Generic portable vacuum cleaner
Click here to see more details.
4. Line Follower Robot
Line follower robot is the first project of many in the Arduino community. It’s one of the easiest and ever evolving robots to design. Lots of worldwide and education level competition makes this a favorite choice among the Arduino community. It’s just a simple robot that follows a specific line and makes it to the end point of the line avoiding obstacles. They are widely used in industries to carry heavy equipment replacing traditional ways.
Following components can get your first line follower robot ready:
- Arduino
- Servo motors
- Jumper wires
- Switch
- Battery holder
- IR proximity sensor
- L293D Motor driver
Click here to get more info.
5. Chess Robot
The first chess playing robot was designed 250 years ago back in the late 18th century. That famous chess playing robot is known as ‘The Turk’. The good thing is we can design our own Turk using an Arduino board. Using a visual recognition system Arduino can be programmed that will track human moves using a camera and using the microcontroller brain to predict its next move.
We just need the below mentioned equipment to design Turk:
- Arduino
- Servo motor
- Robot Arm or 3D printer
- USB webcam
- Motor driver
- Python IDLE
- OpenCV
- Switching power supply
Following link will guide you more about Turk.
6. Maze Solver
Maze is a popular game where a person has to find a route from starting point to end. It is a type of puzzle having different paths among which some are blocked to reach the end point. One has to remember the blocked path, so he doesn’t end up there again. This looks difficult but not when we have a brain like Arduino have. Arduino based maze solver robots can remember the blocked path and can solve this in no time.
To design this amazing robot, get the below components:
- Arduino board
- Ultrasonic sensor
- Motor driver module
- DC motor
- Bluetooth module
- Battery
- Jumper wires
To get details click here.
7. Arduino Based Quadcopter
Drones are not only limited to aerial photography. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) also known as drones can work as a firefighting system, search and rescue, agriculture and also for food delivery. Arduino is a great controller board for building drones. Using Arduino with a radio transmitter and receiver we can make our first flying vehicle.
Following is the list of equipment required to make drone:
- Arduino
- Arduino board shield
- Flight controller
- Propellers
- Battery
- Radio receiver
- BLDC motors
- Charger
Click here to know more about Arduino drone designing guide. Click here to know which Arduino is best for your next drone.
8. Traffic Control System
Driving on smooth roads without any traffic is a dream of every person living in big cities. We all think somehow how to make the city traffic system smoother so as to save our precious time and spend it in a more productive way. You will be glad to hear that it’s possible just using a simple Arduino board that costs not more than a few coffee cups. Arduino along with AI can make a system that senses live car traffic and allows traffic signals to change accordingly.
Following components need to be assembled if one wants to make a traffic control system:
- Arduino
- Jumper wires
- Traffic lights
- Battery
Click here to see a prototype of an Arduino based traffic signal controller.
9. CNC Plotter Machine
As the world is moving towards automation so why not we. CNC (Computer numerical control) is a programmable method of controlling different machines using software and microcontroller boards like Arduino. A CNC machine is a very famous tool that can cut any metal or wood with great precision reducing overall waste. It also reduces errors from the manufacturing process. CNC machines are also used for drawing and carving different patterns on leather and other materials.
Get the following components to design Arduino based CNC machine:
- Arduino
- Stepper motors
- Arduino CNC shields
- Dual H-Bridge motor drivers L293D
- CNC stand
Click here to get more info.
10. 3D Printer
3D printing is the manufacturing process that can make three-dimensional objects using a computer CAD designed file. Multiple layers of objects are created to make it look like a solid object. 3D printers are an important part of building a DIY project. 3D printers are getting famous on a large scale even now it’s possible to 3D print your next home.
Below is a list of components required to design a 3D printer:
- Arduino board
- NEMA stepper motor
- Extruder
- Filament for 3D printer
- Power supply
- A4988 motor driver
- GT2 tooth flanged pulley
- Pedestal bearing
- Rail shaft rod
- Aluminum ball bearing for motion
- Steel rod
- Aluminum suction pipe
Click here to learn more about 3D printers.
Here are two more articles containing a project list for beginners and a programming base Arduino project to improve coding skills.
Top Arduino Projects Ideas for Beginners
Arduino Programming Projects for Learning
Conclusion
Arduino is a versatile microcontroller board that can do wonders. We just need to know how and where to use it. This article comprises a list of all Arduino based robotic projects. Among all 3D printers, floor cleaning is one of our favorite projects.
