Abhi Kodali

My project that I am working on is my first prototype of an RC car(my prototype is Pigeon and the final product is called A.V.A [Automated Versatile Automobile]). So far, it is just a wooden MDF board painted black with a custom-made case(I made it with Fusion 360), but let’s go deeper. 

The Key Components of my build

1. Arduino Mega

What is an Arduino Mega? Arduino Mega is one of the many Arduino boards, most famous being the Arduino Uno. I chose the Mega because of the large amount of pins and room to work with. Pins are basically the connection between the program and the components. There is an IDE for Arduinos(the programming website), but there are others you can use.

2. L298 DC Motor Driver Module

The L298 DC Motor Driver Module is something that controls 2 DC motors(we will talk about these). If we want to control a DC motor we need to control its speed and spinning direction. To control its speed we need to use a technique called Pulse Width Modulation(PWM). PWM is when you are maintaining the speed by using ON and OFF pulses. Basically, switching it on and off continuously. The faster you want it, the shorter the OFF intervals. The next technique is called a H-Bridge. A H-Bridge is when you change the polarity of the input voltage(Polarity is Positive and Negative). The H-Bridge circuit is made up of four switches in a H format with the DC motor in the center. Closing two different switches changes the Negative side to the Positive side and vice versa of the motor(Polarity). This is what makes the motors change the spinning direction.

3. DC Motor

A DC motor is a motor that rotates using electricity. I have 4 wheels and two L298 DC Motor Driver Modules to control them. 

4. SBUS

Alright, let me get something straight, I really don’t know a lot about this because this is the newest addition we are working on. All I know is that it takes signals from the remote controller and sends the message to the Arduino as values. My dad said it’s something called protocol and I can get into the details later on once I completely know about it.

5. Custom Frame

Made it using Fusion 360 and it was 3d printed. Look at the pictures below

6. MDF board

A painted MDF board as the frame.

7. Remote Controller

The transmitter and your usual remote control with channels. Radiolink T8FB

The story behind this project was the creation of  my interest in electronics . One day,(I was like 9 years old) I wanted to bicycle to school. My parents had a protest. My mom said no while my dad said yes. We thought this through then my dad suggested an idea that combines safety with fun. He said that if you learn electronics you can make cool stuff like an automated drone that has a glowing stop sign that shines whenever I’m crossing the road where cars come. Then, once we leave it automatically flies back to my driveway. I can learn to operate electronics. Years passed, I never did it until my dad showed me this youtuber called Aaed Musa.  I got inspired and actually you also should go check him out. He is my total inspiration besides my dad. He made these cool creations or replications like Boston Dynamic-like robotic dogs, CD shooters, etc. I got inspired. My dad had a RC car that he made and was not able to finish, so we scrapped it (not actually) and used that as a base and slowly built up here until now. Right now, we are done connecting the SBUS to the Arduino and the RC(remote controller). Now we just have to assign the values to make the wheel spin forwards, backwards, and if you make 2 wheels on one side spin it will turn. So, we have to do that. Anyways, that is all for this post. Thank You and Bye.