Build a Real Robot Episode 10 Project Recap

In this installment of the Build a REAL Robot series, I give a summary of what has been wired up and what new components are going to be installed in the future.

Took a bit of a break last week so there hasn’t been a lot to report. However, one thing I do need to let you know about is a wiring error in last week's episode!

In the motor controller wiring, I have shown you VCC (+5-volts) connected to the VIN pin on the Arduino Nanos. That is wrong, it needs to be connected to the 5V pin.

I’ve updated the text and images in the article, my apologies for the error and my thanks to the viewers who pointed it out.

Of course, I rewired my controller for the correct power pin. And I have also made the cables I need for the motor controller and have hooked it all up.

I also wired a USB jack onto the side of the robot to power up the Arduino Mega. I explain why I did it this way in the video.

Next time I hope to have some motor controller code for us to look at. Until then I hope you enjoy the video.

[wishicouldarduino]

A couple of years ago I new almost nothing about computers and nothing about arduino my first bot was built from home depot and brandsmart USA most of what I know now I learned right here on the dronebot workshop thanks bill for teaching an old dog new tricks😁👍

[TBoy_]

Great vid as usual Bill. Good to see you well. Was concerned at the weekend what with the flooding. Take care. 👍🏾🤓

[markpryor]

Wondered where you got to, thanks for letting us know. You work very hard and most of us would also play very hard, you are always thinking about the next video. Most of us don’t think about your other life, it appears to be just as busy. You need time off, next time you might say, “thinking about a few days off” we will all wish you a good time.

[Tronic]

Awesome 👍. Camera could be part of the intelligence layer.

[henrikjensen]

I wonder why you believe that powering on Vin or +5v would affect USB power?
Arduino has a diode from USB to Vin and if you want to avoid the Arduino to power the rest of the circuit when powering on USB you can also use a schottky diode for powering Vin or +5V pins. The internal voltage will in all cases be slightly below 5V, the only way to get fully 5V is using above 5V on Vin or exactly 5V on the 5V pin.

[midightwalker]

You can feel free to connect Arduino to PC while using an external power supply. No conflict will occur in this case.

[SteveRaynerMakes]

Can you tell us more about the fuses and fuse holders. Where did you buy those?

[ljliberto]

Bill, since the Nanos are built on an ATmega328P what would convince you to switch to using the standalone ATmega328P? Thanks

[UReasonIt]

Great as always!


I find a UBEC is perfect to power uC's and logic. I use one from hobbywing that has 5v/6v ability. With it, you can use the 6v to Vin.

Now, your project has made me want to use some of the Acto supplies I have collected the past several years.

Here is what I have come up with for a base:

I had everything except the 4x12 plate in the rear. I had four of the GoBuilda motors that I found on sale last year. The motor driver is also a sale item from last spring. I have two of them and am using the other on another bot. I'm using a Nano on an under-shield of my own design, and will only use one for now but may change to a pic based controller I did for another bot. I also have an I2C bus board I made mounted. I am going to use both encoder channels and will use some glue logic to handle the A & B sides. I will probably not use the panic gate and try for IR sonic sensing only for the lower sensor array.

This is a working markup and just really a "thinking out loud" build with temporary placement of power and other items now.

[oriyogi]

Hi bill, could you please explain how you power the robot with batteries ? What kind to use ?
About the rar future (: i would like to see a similar project about building a drone !!!
Thanks alot i sm wstching and building a robot with you though using different materials

[whitney]

At this point in the project. Do you have an estimated cost of what this robot will cost

[saidelhilali]

how are sir, do you teach?
And if so, are u available?

[wishicouldarduino]

I wonder if I can the nrf2401 wireless serial communication as my project is to big for i2c the wiring would be just too much would nodes work?

[vonries]

No need to apologize for finally taking so time off. Everyone needs a few days off, vacation, or holiday (depending on the country you are from add to what you call it).
Are you going for facial recognition?

[NoahPeeters]

What program do you use to edit your videos?