One of the benefits of using an Arduino or compatible board is the ease of adding external hardware and making things you thought were not possible. One example of this is a light-following robot tank – and you can make your own thanks to Instructables member Jason McLaughlin.
By using a common robot tank chassic powered by DC motors, Jason can control this with an Arduino Uno-compatible board and our HBRIDGE motor shield for Arduino. With the addition of two light sensors, the Arduino can determine where the stronger light source is from in relation to the robot – and then rotate and motor towards the stronger light source.
With the addition of more light sensors, the tank can have more “light vision” and make smoother movements – or even compare two light sources and choose the stronger one. Either way, to get started on your own version, please visit Jason’s Instructable page. And for more, we’re on facebook, twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.
If you’re looking into starting with Arduino and robotics, such as controlling a stepper motor (or DC motors) from your Arduino or compatible, check out our HBRIDGE: DC/stepper motor shield.
Based around the powerful Allegro A4954 H-bridge driver IC you can control two DC motors with complete ease, or one bipolar stepper motor. With connections for external power management, a complete beginners’ guide and documentation – motor control couldn’t be any easier. For more information and to order, visit the HBRIDGE: page.
