Are you fascinated by Formula 1 racing and LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3? Imagine combining these two passions to create your own high-speed, remote-controlled race car, complete with flappy paddle controls! This project brings that dream to life, allowing you to build and program an EV3 Formula race car that responds to your commands. While it might not have the roar of a V12 engine, the thrill of racing this LEGO creation is undeniable. Let’s dive into how you can build and program your own Formula EV3 race car, and where to find the essential program download.
Voice-Controlled Racing and Beyond
Perhaps you’ve seen videos of voice-activated gadgets and wondered if you could control a race car the same way. Or maybe you’re familiar with using gamepads for remote control. This project takes inspiration from both, offering a unique control system for your EV3 race car. While gamepad control for EV3 is a popular option, as seen in tutorials for connecting PS4 controllers, this project focuses on a more immersive and engaging method: a dedicated steering wheel with voice and motion control.
Understanding the EV3 Race Car Remote Control System
This project utilizes a clever two-script system to create a responsive remote control for your EV3 race car. One script acts as the “server,” residing on the car itself. This program patiently waits for a connection from the steering wheel and then translates incoming signals into motor commands, dictating the car’s movement. The second script, the “client,” lives on the steering wheel brick. It establishes a Bluetooth connection with the car and continuously transmits steering and throttle data based on your input.
The steering wheel is equipped with a gyro sensor, the heart of the steering mechanism. This sensor accurately detects the rotation of the wheel, allowing for precise steering control. However, gyro sensors can sometimes lose their sense of center, especially with rapid movements. To address this, a button on the steering wheel is programmed to recalibrate the center. Simply press this button when the steering wheel is in its neutral position to ensure your car’s wheels are correctly aligned.
For throttle control, a sound sensor is ingeniously employed. The louder you speak (or make engine noises!), the faster the car accelerates. This voice-activated throttle adds a playful and interactive element to the racing experience. For navigating tight turns or avoiding obstacles, a quieter voice input allows for finer steering control. Furthermore, in case of a collision, holding down another button – acting as a flappy paddle – engages reverse gear while you provide sound input, enabling you to back out of tricky situations.
Time Commitment: Approximately 10 minutes to set up the Bluetooth connection and program the bricks. Building time will vary based on your chosen design.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting Your EV3 Bricks for Remote Control
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Prepare Your EV3 Bricks with ev3dev:
Begin by ensuring both your MINDSTORMS EV3 bricks are running the ev3dev operating system. ev3dev provides a robust platform for programming LEGO robots with languages like Python. Flash the latest version of ev3dev onto separate MicroSD cards for each brick. Instructions for installing ev3dev can be found on the official ev3dev website. -
Enable Bluetooth on Both Bricks:
Navigate to the ‘Wireless and Networks’ menu on both EV3 bricks. Select ‘Bluetooth,’ then choose ‘Powered’ to activate Bluetooth. Finally, select ‘Visible’ to make each brick discoverable for pairing. -
Pair the EV3 Bricks:
On the brick you intend to use as the steering wheel, select ‘Start Scan’ within the Bluetooth menu. Wait for the other brick (the one on the car) to appear in the list of available devices. It will likely be identified as ‘ev3dev.’ Once you see it, select it. A unique Bluetooth address, a series of letters and numbers separated by semicolons (e.g., xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx), will be displayed. Carefully note this address, as you’ll need it later. Press the ‘Pair’ button on the steering wheel brick. Immediately go to the car-Brick and press ‘Accept’ to confirm the pairing request. Return to the steering wheel brick and press ‘Accept’ again. Congratulations! Your EV3 bricks are now successfully paired via Bluetooth. -
Download and Upload the Car Program:
Access your computer with VS Code installed and the LEGO MINDSTORMS extension enabled. This extension streamlines the process of programming EV3 bricks with Python. Create a new project using the LEGO extension. Replace the default content ofmain.pywith the “car” program code. You can typically find code examples and download links on websites dedicated to MINDSTORMS projects, often associated with articles like this one, searching for “Formula Ev3 Race Car Program Download” will lead you to relevant resources. Connect your car brick to your computer using a USB cable or Wi-Fi. Follow a guide like “connecting to the internet via USB” if needed. For macOS, enabling Internet Sharing might be sufficient. Press F5 in VS Code to download and run the program on the car brick. After the program is uploaded, disconnect the USB cable. -
Download and Upload the Steering Wheel Program:
The process for the steering wheel brick is almost identical to the car brick. Create another new project in VS Code using the LEGO extension. Replace themain.pycontent with the “steering wheel” program code. The crucial step here is to insert the Bluetooth address of your car brick into the steering wheel code. Locate the line in the code where the car’s Bluetooth address is specified (e.g.,car_2 = "00:17:E7:AD:B2:8F") and replace the placeholder address with the address you recorded in Step 3. Download and run this program on the steering wheel brick, and then disconnect the USB cable. -
Start Your Engines and Race!
With both programs loaded, ensure you power on both bricks. The car and steering wheel bricks should both display a “Play” icon, indicating the programs are ready. Start the program on the car brick first, as it’s the server-side script. Then, start the program on the steering wheel. The car should now respond to steering wheel movements and sound input. If it doesn’t, double-check that you correctly entered the car’s Bluetooth address in the steering wheel code. Once the programs are loaded onto the bricks, you no longer need the computer. You can launch the programs directly from the File Browser on each MINDSTORMS brick.
Required Components
Hardware:
- 2 x LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Bricks
- 1 x LEGO NXT Sound Sensor (EV3 Sound Sensor compatible)
- 1 x LEGO EV3 Gyro Sensor
- 2 x LEGO EV3 Touch Sensors
- 3 x LEGO EV3 Large Motors
- 2 x Micro SD Cards with the latest ev3dev image
Optional Enhancements:
- FPV Camera for a First-Person View Racing Experience
- FPV Goggles to immerse yourself in the race
- Modified MINDSTORMS Cable to provide 5V power to the FPV camera
Accessing the Program Code: Formula EV3 Race Car Program Download
The program code for both the car and steering wheel bricks is essential to bring your Formula EV3 race car to life. While direct download links might vary depending on the source and website providing this guide, searching online for “formula ev3 race car program download” along with terms like “Micropython” or “ev3dev” will lead you to repositories or websites where you can access the necessary code. Websites and forums dedicated to LEGO MINDSTORMS projects, like carcodereader.store, are excellent places to find and download these programs. Look for files typically named main.py for both the car (server) and steering wheel (client) programs.
Remember to use VS Code with the LEGO MINDSTORMS extension to easily upload these Python programs to your EV3 bricks.
If you find this project engaging and decide to build your own Formula EV3 race car, consider supporting content creators and websites that provide these valuable resources. Your support helps to keep these projects and tutorials coming!
Optional Upgrade: Immerse Yourself with an FPV Camera
FPV View from Inside the Race Car
Alt text: First-Person View from inside the LEGO EV3 Formula Race Car cockpit, showing the track ahead, enhancing the racing experience.
To take your racing experience to the next level, consider adding a First-Person View (FPV) camera to your LEGO MINDSTORMS car. Thanks to the popularity of drone racing, compact and affordable 5.8GHz analog video cameras are readily available for under €15 (see examples on Amazon). You can also find suitable video goggles for under €100 (like these options).
Mounting the camera is straightforward. Rubber bands can be used to securely attach the camera to the car while providing some shock absorption. Conveniently, the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Intelligent Brick provides a 5V power supply on all its ports, perfectly suited for powering these cameras. By modifying a MINDSTORMS wire and soldering appropriate connectors, you can easily create a power cable for your FPV camera. For detailed pinout information, reach out to LEGO MINDSTORMS communities online or contact experts through platforms like Facebook groups dedicated to MINDSTORMS.
Building Your Formula EV3 Race Car and Steering Wheel
You have flexibility in designing your Formula EV3 race car. For a quick start, you can attach three motors directly to the EV3 brick. However, for enhanced racing performance, consider seeking out building instructions for a car specifically designed for speed and agility. These instructions often incorporate gear ratios to optimize for faster racing.
The same principle applies to the steering wheel. A basic steering wheel can be constructed using an EV3 brick, two touch sensors, a sound sensor, and a gyro sensor. For a more realistic and immersive experience, explore building instructions for a Formula 1-style steering wheel, complete with flappy paddles for gear control (though in this project, flappy paddles are used for reverse). Online resources and LEGO MINDSTORMS communities are great places to find building instructions for both the car and steering wheel components, often available alongside program download links.
