I built a rover using a Raspberry Pi & Arduino

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Building a Rover Using Raspberry Pi & Arduino

Step 1: Gather Requirements

1. Decide on the requirements for the Rover project, such as using a Raspberry Pi, integrating a camera, and enabling remote control.
2. Plan to use an Arduino Mega to support all 12 motors due to the Raspberry Pi's limited pins.
3. Prepare to connect the Raspberry Pi and Arduino Mega for serial communication.

Step 2: Assemble the Hardware

1. Watch the video tutorial for the assembly process and take note of the nuts and bolts required.
2. Order a variety pack of nuts and bolts to ensure you have everything needed.
3. Connect the Raspberry Pi to the Arduino Mega using SDA and pins for serial communication.
4. Connect servo motors directly to digital pins on the Arduino Mega and DC motors to an H-bridge driver board first, then to the Arduino via PWM and digital pins.

Step 3: Set Up Web Control

1. Create a web server on the Raspberry Pi to host the camera stream and robot controls.
2. Develop a Python script to process keyboard commands from a website and send them over serial communication to the Arduino for motor control.

Step 4: Build the Rover

1. Print out all the necessary parts for the Rover project.
2. Assemble the wheels and add DC motors for each wheel to enable forward and backward movement.
3. Use a DC Buck converter to drop the voltage from 12V to 6V for the motors.
4. Wire up the circuits to test the motors and ensure they are functioning properly.

Step 5: Develop User Interface

1. Design a simple user interface using Figma to control the Rover's motions over the web.
2. Create icons representing different motions of the Rover as buttons on the website.

Step 6: Troubleshoot and Test

1. Troubleshoot any issues with motor rotation and connectivity.
2. Test the Rover's movements and ensure all motors are working correctly.
3. Address any latency issues with web control by updating the code for smoother operation.

Step 7: Finalize and Test

1. Organize the placement of electronics inside the Rover for optimal functionality.
2. Conduct outdoor tests to ensure the Rover operates as intended.
3. Test the Rover's capabilities, including rotating, moving sideways, and diagonally.

Step 8: Reflect and Improve

1. Reflect on the project and learn from any mishaps or challenges encountered.
2. Consider ordering extra parts to avoid delays due to component failures.
3. Share your project journey with others and encourage them to break down complex projects into manageable tasks.

By following these steps, you can successfully build a Rover using a Raspberry Pi and Arduino, enabling remote control and showcasing your creativity in robotics projects.