Arduino DCC Capstone Project 2024

Arduino Remote Control Car Version 1

What is this project?

The project involves building a remote control car using Arduino Mega microcontrollers. The primary application of the project is to create a versatile and customizable platform for remote-controlled vehicle experimentation and development. Specific features and capabilities of the remote control car include: Joystick control for motor direction and speed adjustment, Potentiometer mapping to a servo motor for accurate and responsive steering control, Push button functionality for an emergency brake system, ensuring safe operation, Integration of an ultrasonic sensor for obstacle detection, enhancing navigation capabilities, Utilization of a piezoelectric buzzer for auditory feedback and alert signals during operation, and Display data on the liquid crystal display.

Why make an RC car when you can just buy one?

Most remote control cars on the market use low grade circuits that are very difficult to tap in and add on too. This prototype uses an Arduino microcontroller that allows for tons of customization and can easily be scaled up.

Coding Flow Chart

flow chart transmitter flow chart receiver

Code for the transmitter.              Code for the Reciever.

3D Models

RC car 3d drawing Controller 3d drawing

RC car 3d drawing              Controller 3d drawing

All models beside the two back wheels were entirely designed by me. The wheel 3D model is from https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/rack-and-pinion-steering and was designed by TOMTHRELFO.

Block Diagram

Block diagram

Parts List

Parts List

Total cost comes out to be $176.55 in total.

What I Want To Add In The Future

The drive motors can be changed out for motors with higher RPM, the 3d models need to be slightly tweaked, a speedometer using a accelerometer, liquid crystal display menus with more information, wheels with more traction so it can be run on rougher terrain, a camera so that it can be operated at long distances, and maybe a gripper arm.

Sources

References:
>Arduino Forum. (n.d.). Simple nRF24L01 2.4GHz Transceiver Demo. Retrieved from https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-nrf24l01-2-4ghz-transceiver-demo/405123/2 ~ Used to give a indepth tutorial on how the NRF24L01 module works and and has test code I modified.
>Arduino. (n.d.). MSR3 - Controlling a DC Motor. Retrieved from https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/motor-shield-rev3/msr3-controlling-dc-motor/ ~ Documentation on how the motor control shield works and its programming and and has test code I modified.
>HowToMechatronics. (n.d.). Arduino DC Motor Control Tutorial – L298N | PWM | H-Bridge. Retrieved from https://howtomechatronics.com/tutorials/arduino/arduino-dc-motor-control-tutorial-l298n-pwm-h-bridge/ ~ Offers amazing explanations on motor controls.
>Cults. (n.d.). Rack and Pinion Steering. Retrieved from https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/rack-and-pinion-steering ~ I used this persons’ 3D Wheel model and used it in my own design
>Arduino. (n.d.). LCD Displays. Retrieved from https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/electronics/lcd-displays/ ~ Great explanation on how to use the Liquid Crystal Display and has test code I modified.
>Arduino. (n.d.). Ping. Retrieved from https://docs.arduino.cc/built-in-examples/sensors/Ping/~ Great explanation on how the ultrasonic sensor (sonar sensor) works and has test code I modified.
>HowToMechatronics. (n.d.). Arduino Wireless Communication – NRF24L01 Tutorial. Retrieved from https://howtomechatronics.com/tutorials/arduino/arduino-wireless-communication-nrf24l01-tutorial/ ~ Great explanation on the NRF24L01 module and has test code I modified