This is a RC Car Workshop tutorial. To create this car, follow the below steps.
| Name | Number Units |
|---|---|
| PLA Filament | - |
| ESP32-WROOM-32D | 1 |
| USB Micro Data Cables | 1 |
| Jumper Wire | 6 |
| TT Motor Dual DC Motor | 4 |
| DRV8833 Motor Drive Module (Pins may need to be soldered) | 1 |
| AA Battery | 4 |
| 4 AA Battery Holder | 1 |
| 9V Battery | 1 |
| 9V Battery Connector | 1 |
| Small Breadboard | 1 |
| Zip Ties | 4 |
| Hot Glue or Tape | - |
3D print the chassis (CAD/chassis.stl) and 4 wheels (CAD/wheel.stl). Optionally, you can print fun ad-ons/mods (CAD/Mods/...).
Use zipties to attach your motors to the bottom of your chassi. Note: be careful of motor orientation. Add the wheels to the motors.
Flip over the chassi, add the breadboard, and batttery holders using tape or hot glue to secure as necessary. Wire the components using the following wiring diagram. Do NOT add the batteries yet.
a. Make sure the Arduino IDE and UART Driver is installed on your computers:
-
Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
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UART Driver: https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers?tab=downloads
- On Windows, download/extract CP210x VCP Windows and run CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.
- On Mac, download/extract CP210x VCP Mac OSX Driver and run SiLabasUSBDriverDisk.dmg
b. In the Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Board > Board Manger. Type in ESP32 and install esp32 by Espressif.
c. Plug in the ESP32 to your computer and click on the new port that is added in the white box in the top bar. A window with “Select Other Board and Port” should pop up. Under boards, filter and select “ESP32-WROOOM-DA Module”. Then click okay.
d. Now time to code! Copy/Paste one of the following programs into the editor and make sure save it is saved:
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Program different functions to turn the motors: https://github.com/UAA-Robo/RC-Car/blob/main/code/rc_motor_functions/rc_motor_functions.ino
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Program the code to be remote controlled w/ bluetooth: https://github.com/UAA-Robo/RC-Car/blob/main/code/rc_remote_control/rc_remote_control.ino
e. Make sure the ESP32 is plugged into the computer and press the arrow to upload to the ESP32. The program will immediately begin.
f. If you’re running the remote control code (d.ii), you will also need to download the RemoteXY (https://remotexy.com/en/download/) app
- Open the app and click “+” > “Bluetooth LE”. Select your “myESP32” as your device (unless you change it in the code).You should then connect
Unplug the ESP32, double check your wiring, and add batteries. Once lights turn on both the ESP32 and motor driver, your code is running.
- No wheels are turning and no lights are showing on the ESP32 or Motor Drivers.
- Check that your wiring still matches the diagram (especially the battery connections).
- Replace all the batteries.
- Wheels not turning the right direction, or some are not turning:
- Check that your wiring still matches the diagram.
- Check that everything is connected fully and the motor wiring still touches the motor tabs.
- Bluetooth keeps disconnecting and lights on the Motor Drivers flicker.
- One of the batteries may be low on voltage. Try replacing one or all of the batteries
Credit: Mya Schroder, Jaren Ramirez, Reese Cochran