Beginner Help: Which Elegoo Smart Robot Car Project is Easiest to Start With?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello everyone,

I’m completely new to Arduino and coding. I’m currently a university student, and for one of my classes, we’re using the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit (V4) to complete one of three assigned projects.

Since coding wasn’t a prerequisite for this course, I’m hoping to get some advice from experienced users: Which of these three projects would be the easiest and least time-consuming for a beginner to start with?

Here are the project descriptions from my professor:

Project 1: Move an Object from Point A to Point B :

  • Program the robot to push an object (e.g., a ping-pong ball) along an L-shaped path (each leg at least 1.5 m).
  • The robot must drop the object at Point B, return to Point A, and be ready to repeat.
  • You can use the obstacle detector, but not the line-tracking sensor.

Project 2: Move Through an S-Shaped Path Without Hitting Obstacles :

  • Program the robot to drive through an S-shaped path (each segment at least 1.5 m).
  • Add two obstacles along the middle section and ensure the robot passes safely.
  • Place objects (like soda cans) at turns so it must navigate around them.
  • After reaching the end, it must make a U-turn and return to the start.
  • You cannot use the line-tracking or obstacle sensors.

Project 3: Move Through an Infinity-Shaped Path

  • Program the robot to complete three full passes through a path shaped like an infinity (∞) symbol.
  • Each loop should be at least 1.5 m in diameter.
  • The robot must follow specific turning patterns at the intersection (right, right, straight, straight, straight, left).
  • It should stop at the same point it started.
  • You may use the line-tracking sensor for this project.

Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for helping a beginner out.

2

You have likely started from a very difficult point. Starting by working through an Arduino programmer beginners kit would have helped You a lot.

Grabbing ready code and wiring is a hard way to get started.

That’s a big mistake by the professor.

Sorry but none of the projects would be easy. As a matter of fact they are all pretty advanced.

3

Those assignments as written, lead to a bunch of more specific questions needed to address the solutions.

Work through them, and see what you come up with - and that will help prepare you for a few weeks of solid work.

4

Welcome!

I have no idea of your background or skill set so I cannot give you a really good answer but only a SWAG.

I assume the due date is sometime early December this year. At this point I am sorry but my suggestion is to drop the class and take one on programming first.

Without the basic programing skills/knowledge you do not have many options. Is it possible to get somebody to help you? Do you have several weeks to learn C++ and the Arduino hardware. Get the Arduino Cookbook tonight and start reading it, it will be a big help.

This is not the first time this or similar project has appeared, checking you may find what you need.

Before dropping start at this link and read the documentation, it gives some .ino files which are the code files you will need. Read the documentation, there is a lot there. I did not spend the time to read it all but give it a day and see if you can figure out what is happening. First things first get your IDE up and running, without that it will not work. Then load the blink sketch (in examples) and play with it. If you can do that you can do the basics of programming and loading code in your car. Good Luck and let us know which path you take and if you decide to build it we will be here to help.

5

Either your professor is punking you or he is very mistaken. You should start with the Arduino Cookbook and one of several electronics books, such as the Electronics Cookbook. Hopefully, you have a year before the project is due.

6

You should have some programming knowledge or ability. If not, you should learn classic C language. I have never, knowingly or intentionally, programmed in C++.

You can practice C on Wokwi.com (free account, store your work on-line).

The best way to start learning to program Arduino is to use the build-in examples in the IDE (FILE >> EXAMPLES >> BUILT-IN EXAMPLES). Eventually, you will need some components, so buy an Arduino Starter Kit.

Practice this code on Wokwi, too.

When you want to purchase, look on Amazon for the Arduino Nano in a 3-pack. Total US$10.00.

The car kit: I assembled an earlier version of that Elegoo kit (v2.2). The instructions were perfect for assembling. The code had no explanation about it or in it. I wrote some small programs that might help you learn in steps as you build the car kit.

Elegoo's V4 has changed a bit from v2.2... so keep that in mind.