Hello, i am sort of new to arduino but i understand the basics. I want to build an RC car that will be controlled either by radio or my computer (havent decided). it needs to have a lot of sensors, it will probably be able to drive autonomously.
So i know i will need an arduino board (though i cant find one with enough pins), possibly a motor shield. i dont know what i will connect the sensors to.
if there is pins for it i would like to add an RF module, an LCD display, a gps and some other fun stuff like camera.
i cant figure out how to put all this in one build.
PhoenixRise:
Hello, i am sort of new to arduino but i understand the basics. I want to build an RC car that will be controlled either by radio or my computer (havent decided). it needs to have a lot of sensors, it will probably be able to drive autonomously.
So i know i will need an arduino board (though i cant find one with enough pins), possibly a motor shield. i dont know what i will connect the sensors to.
if there is pins for it i would like to add an RF module, an LCD display, a gps and some other fun stuff like camera.
i cant figure out how to put all this in one build.
Neither can I! No sane person would try to put all that you listed and all you want into a single build and programming experience.
Try the way every one does projects: ONE STEP AT A TIME!!!!
Get an Arduino Uno and download the IDE and begin trying the examples. Then move on to ONE sensor and get it working. Then the next, and so on!
Paul
i bought the arduino Uno yesterday, and i was able to successfully make some LEDs and a potentiometer work, and i got my LCD shield working perfectly with buttons. I have a lot of C#/C++ programming experience so the script is not very difficult. Only hardware setup confuses me.
I think i am starting with an arduino uno and a motor shield. but how do i add more pins?
Also this is not the 1st autonomous vehicle ive made. just the 1st on arduino.
my 1st:
PhoenixRise:
Also this is not the 1st autonomous vehicle ive made. just the 1st on arduino.
my 1st:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-qnZ4VHr4E
So you know everything then...??
Cannot see any problem here.
bluejets:
So you know everything then...??
Cannot see any problem here.
As said, i dont know much about my hardware options with an arduino board.
After a little research i think i am going to do a standalone H-bridge instead of a motor shield hopefully that will allow me to use a very high voltage RC battery. I was reading about something called "Headers" which might allow more pins/ports. Does anybody know what that is/how it works?
Ok so i found 2 solutions to my problem:
DIO24-ARD, kinda like an I/O extender shield
PCF8574 Arduino Pin Extender, less pins
and then i guess you can use something called "Headers" but i dont know what they are.
PhoenixRise:
(though i cant find one with enough pins)
How many pins do you need? I mean a Mega looks much better than a Uno for this project. 4 Hardware Serial ports should leave you open for future "fun stuff" as well. I seriously can not understand why you picked a Uno for this project. Don't take that as criticism, I just believe Mega would be better, and seeing that you know what you are working with, it makes no sense to me.
RabbitTheDevil:
How many pins do you need? I mean a Mega looks much better than a Uno for this project. 4 Hardware Serial ports should leave you open for future "fun stuff" as well. I seriously can not understand why you picked a Uno for this project. Don't take that as criticism, I just believe Mega would be better, and seeing that you know what you are working with, it makes no sense to me.
Diddo, especially with the price point of the first linked IO expansion shield, etc.
You should:
1.) Clearly define the requirements for your rc car
2.) Identify what subsystems are necessary to meet the requirments
3.) Do basic google research as to what sensors/algorithms are useful for each subsystem
4.) Do tests and see what hardware works best
5.) Prototype
6.) Finalize the finished design
Does this make sense?
OH. ya i bought this UNO to learn but a mega board will be much better for the things i want to make. I never looked at a mega before. Thanks for the tips.
Both the Uno and Mega have a problem: you can't properly solder stuff to it. They're fine for experimenting but even an actual prototype (moving, bouncing car) would need soldered joints. There's a "Mega Pro" board, much smaller than the regular Mega and it is solderable.
For sensors: you will have to make a detailed list.
Step 1: what do you want to sense?
Step 2: how do you think on sensing each individual thing?
Step 3: what sensors are available for this? (most can be interfaced with Arduinos - so look for sensors first, then look at how to interface them).
Step 4: get the sensors of interest, test them out one by one, decide which one you're going to use and which not.
