Hack RC Trucks with Arduino and Bluetooth

Development Board, Motor Control Shield

HC-05 Bluetooth Module

Li-Ion Battery 1000mAh

Arduino UNO

Multitool, Screwdriver

Jumper wires (generic)

WPL C-24

Soldering iron (generic)

<h3 >WPLC24 - Arduino Truck Build Guide</h3><p >Stupid - very stupid.</p><div class="se-component se-video-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false" style="width: 100%;"><figure style="width: 100%; height: 56.25%; padding-bottom: 56.25%; margin: 0px;"><iframe frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/77cbxfB0S7k" data-proportion="true" data-percentage="100%,56.25%" data-size="100%,56.25%" data-align="none" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;" data-index="0" data-file-size="0" data-origin="100%,56.25%"></iframe></figure></div><p >This is a frankenstein project that combines two very popular diy platforms to create a fun little monster that's worth all YOUR effort.( I guess) </p><p >This is a build guide that can also be a template to hack any rc truck/buggy with an arduino. </p><p >The short version of the story is - I bought this very popular cheapo - chinese diy model- truck off banggood in 2018. The truck didn't come with any          electronics and I didn't buy a controller either, so after putting it together and admiring it for two days - it gathered dust for 2 years. So instead of buying a controller, I went ahead and built my own. </p><p >Happy hacking! </p><h3 >Summary of Parts-</h3><p >WPL C-24</p><p >Arduino UNO</p><p >HC-05 Bluetooth Module</p><p >L293D Motor Shield</p><p >11.4V 2200mAh Lipo (Up to you)</p><h3 >STEP 1 : TRUCK ASSEMBLY</h3><p >Putting the truck together is really easy - Anyone could do it, so to keep this short i'm leaving this video I found off youtube for reference.</p><p >Just make sure you extend the servo and motor pins out to the truck bed using male to male wires for plugging them to the shield.</p><figure><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/3805672a-eead-4763-944d-5007a3e103cf.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><p ></p><div class="se-component se-video-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false" style="width: 100%;"><figure style="width: 100%; height: 56.25%; padding-bottom: 56.25%; margin: 0px;"><iframe frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYLZtdgGMJU" data-proportion="true" data-percentage="100%,56.25%" data-size="100%,56.25%" data-align="none" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;" data-index="0" data-file-size="0" data-origin="100%,56.25%"></iframe></figure></div><h3 >STEP 2 : ELECTRONICS</h3><p >Took us long enough </p><p >The controls of the truck - Steering Servo and Drive motor are managed by the Arduino-shield combo which receives instructions from your phone via bluetooth to make the truck go around.  </p><p ><strong >Circuit Diagram </strong></p><figure><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/ba342e9f-dac5-43c4-9b82-762dce9cf54e.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><p >Now at this point, you'll notice a major bummer here. The motor shield isn't prototype friendly or atleast the version i'm using. </p><p >To connect the bluetooth module and headlights we'll need to solder on some female berg strips.</p><figure><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/78b556e2-1bc1-469f-bdf3-593ba88a018d.JPG /><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><p >NO we're not finished. </p><p >What about the tx/rx pins on the shield ? MORE SOLDERING..</p><p ></p><figure><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/6d8d0494-23a0-4658-a105-eaa5482a8405.JPG /><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><p >After that's done just screw on the motor wires and connect the servo headers as shown in the Circuit diagram.</p><p >         HERE'S WHAT MY TRUCK LOOKED LIKE AT THIS POINT.</p><figure><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/a50b238b-0f7d-4571-ba98-c89d01f608e8.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><h3 >THE APP AND CODE</h3><figure><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/5981ac59-b690-4fa3-a305-9293bdceac45.png /><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><p ><span >The link to the app- </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.giumig.apps.bluetoothserialmonitor">Bluetooth Controller App </a></p><p >You're free to choose your own app but I like this one for it's simplicity and clean design.</p><p ><span >Before testing out the app there's a final step.   </span><a href="http://virginrobotics.blogspot.com/">THE CODE  </a></p><p >Copy and paste the code to your IDE and upload. (unplug the bluetooth module's vcc pin from the shield before uploading)</p><p >Don't be surprised if your steering's jarry or if the truck goes left when you wanted to go right. It's just the mapping and servo angles that you need to change to get the perfect setup for your truck. </p><p >Feel free to share your problems in the comments below.  </p><p >This was a very fun project and I want you folks to DIY your own controllers for all kinds of trucks and cars. Ciao Bella </p>

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Hack RC Trucks with Arduino and Bluetooth

Build guide to control any RC crawler with your PHONE!