Start with the Kit

The Ackermann Chassis Encoder Motor Robot Car Kit (available from an online retailer) is a great chassis for building a Robot Car. However, a builder must invent their own design that adds a controller.

Add-on the Components Product

The Robot Car Components-Ackermann is an add-on product to the above kit that provides the controller (the Car Base Board) and the remaining components for building a working car. The product is an open-design and a builder can continue to make enhancements using the features of the Car Base Board. The builder need only provide batteries (available from an online retailer.)

Using this product, wiring and cables simply plug into connectors or terminal blocks to interconnect the devices. The resulting robot car will operate autonomously. Finally, the provided instructions and code on GitHub are uncomplicated and provide a running remote controlled car.

Video showing a demo on YouTube Another Video below shows online assembly instructions.

Details

The controller is the Car Base Board with a WeAct Studio BlackPill (STM32F411CEU6). The Car Base Board is also sold separately at this store in Tindie. For this product, the BlackPill is pre-loaded with the MicroPython firmware (avoiding the need for an extra Flash tool). The builder need only connect to a desktop and drag/drop files. On the desktop, two popular IDEs to use are Thonny and Visual Studio Code.

The controller uses a cable to plug into the Ackermann Motor Drive Module. A MicroPython program on the BlackPill provides the logic to the Drive Module to operate the two rear encoded gear "520" 12v car motors. The controller uses a cable to plug into the Servo Module. The MicroPython code also provides the logic to the Servo Module to operate the LD1501MG high-precision steering servo. Since the Servo Module supports 16 channels, the builder can add future servos.

The product includes a small light-weight OLED board (that plugs into the Car Base Board) that provides a simple display. The display provides interactive messages. The board is programmable and will depict text and simple graphics.

Power Management

Power management ensures there is adequate power for the controller and components as well as for the car motors and servo. The battery power is provided by three 18650 batteries, which are located in a plastic holder mounted on the top chassis for maintenance.

The 12v battery power is stepped down with two buck converters to nine and six volts respectively. The nine volt power is distributed to the battery terminal block on the Car Base Board and to the Motor Drive Module that controls the motors. The six volt power is distributed to the Servo Module which controls the steering servo (and can serve additional servos as needed.)

Autonomous Control

A remote wirelessly connects to the Car Base Board which is interpreted by the MicroPython code to command movement and steering. The builder can easily add additional features.

Video showing assembly instructions on YouTube