The Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 is a fantastic entry point into the world of robotics and Arduino programming, perfectly suited for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. This comprehensive kit provides everything you need to build and program your own smart robot car, making it an ideal educational project or a unique gift, especially as we approach the holiday season. Priced competitively, this kit delivers exceptional value with its completeness and ease of use.
Unboxing the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0
Upon opening the box, you’ll find each component meticulously organized across two layers, individually packaged to prevent damage and ensure all parts are present. Elegoo includes everything necessary for assembly and operation right out of the box. This includes a set of essential tools like screwdrivers, a USB cable for Arduino connection, a CD-ROM containing example INO files for the Arduino UNO, and detailed PDF manuals in multiple languages, including English. Notably, a battery charger and two 18650 rechargeable batteries are also provided, highlighting the kit’s readiness for immediate use.
Alt text: Top view of the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 box, showcasing the organized packaging of electronic components and parts.
Assembling Your Smart Robot Car
Before diving into programming, assembling the robot car is a crucial first step. Elegoo recommends starting with their assembly video, which provides a clear visual guide to differentiate the acrylic layers and understand the overall structure. Both acrylic plates are marked “A”, so the video is especially helpful in identifying which serves as the top and bottom. Remember to remove the protective film from both black acrylic plates to ensure clean assembly.
Alt text: Close-up of the two black acrylic plates included in the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0, highlighting the slight difference in cutout shape to distinguish the top and bottom layers.
Allocate around two hours for the assembly process. Each component’s screws and fixings are bagged and labeled separately, simplifying the process. Using small containers, like saucers or the box layers, can help keep the tiny screws organized during assembly. When attaching the aluminum profiles to the DC motors, it’s advisable to first secure the profiles to the motors with the longer M3 screws before tightening them to the chassis.
Alt text: Image showing the organized packaging of screws and nuts, each in labeled bags, provided with the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 to facilitate easy assembly.
Cables connect to the Arduino and motor shield via JST adapters (XH2.54 ports), designed for error-free connections. Pay close attention to the line tracker cable, ensuring the red power cable is correctly positioned at pin 1 on the line tracker and potentially pin 2 on the Arduino Shield. Double-checking these connections is crucial for proper sensor operation.
Alt text: A selection of color-coded JST cables and connectors included in the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0, used for connecting various electronic components.
Mount the Arduino Uno onto the upper acrylic plate and then attach the Arduino Shield. Three screws are provided to securely fix the shield. For the Ultrasonic sensor and Bluetooth module HC-08, these are mounted on a small black plate which then attaches to the SG90 Micro Servo motor. Note that the provided screws for this black plate might be slightly short. If needed, you can carefully trim the corners of the black plate for a better fit, a common problem-solving approach in maker projects.
Alt text: Image depicting the Arduino Shield correctly mounted on the Arduino Uno as part of the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 assembly process.
Programming the Elegoo Smart Robot Car V3.0
Once assembled, powering on the robot car will illuminate LEDs, indicating basic functionality. However, movement requires programming the Arduino Uno with provided code. The Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 comes with example INO files on the included CD-ROM and available for download from the Elegoo website. These examples are designed to get you started quickly and demonstrate the car’s capabilities.
Getting Started with Programming Instructions:
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Install Arduino IDE: If you haven’t already, download and install the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) from the official Arduino website. This software is essential for writing and uploading code to the Arduino Uno.
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Load Example Code: Navigate to the CD-ROM or download the ZIP file from the Elegoo website. Extract the files and locate the
.INOsketch files. For initial testing, thebluetooth_car.inosketch is a good starting point. Open this file in the Arduino IDE. -
Connect Arduino: Ensure the Bluetooth module (HC-08) is removed from the Arduino Shield before uploading code. Connect the Arduino Uno to your computer using the provided USB cable.
Alt text: Visual instruction to remove the Bluetooth module from the Arduino shield before uploading new code to the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0.
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Select Board and Port: In the Arduino IDE, go to
Tools > Boardand select “Arduino Uno”. Then, go toTools > Portand select the COM port that corresponds to your Arduino Uno. The port number may vary depending on your operating system. -
Upload Code: Click the “Upload” button in the Arduino IDE (the right arrow icon). This will compile and upload the
bluetooth_car.inosketch to your Arduino Uno. -
Testing Basic Movement: After successful upload, disconnect the USB cable, re-insert the Bluetooth module, and power on the robot car using the battery switch. Download and install the “Elegoo BLE” app from your smartphone’s app store.
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Bluetooth Control: Open the “Elegoo BLE” app and connect to the HC-08 Bluetooth module. The app provides buttons that send specific characters to control the car.
Understanding the Basic Bluetooth Control Code:
The bluetooth_car.ino sketch uses simple character commands to control the car’s movements. The code snippet below shows the basic command structure:
void loop() {
if (Serial.available() > 0) {
getstr = Serial.read();
switch(getstr){
case 'f': forward(); break;
case 'b': back(); break;
case 'l': left(); break;
case 'r': right(); break;
case 's': stop(); break;
case 'a': stateChange(); break; // For LEDs on/off
default: break;
}
}
}This code listens for serial input (via Bluetooth in this case). Sending characters ‘f’, ‘b’, ‘l’, ‘r’, ‘s’, and ‘a’ will trigger forward, backward, left, right, stop, and LED on/off functions, respectively. You can modify these commands and functions within the Arduino sketch to customize the car’s behavior.
Alt text: Screenshot of the Elegoo BLE mobile application interface, showing buttons and controls for Bluetooth operation of the Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0.
Exploring Further Programming and Modes
Beyond Bluetooth control, the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 supports other functionalities like infrared (IR) control, obstacle avoidance using the ultrasonic sensor, and line tracking. Example sketches for these modes are also included on the CD-ROM and download package. Experimenting with these different modes provides a comprehensive learning experience in robotics programming. You can adjust parameters like carSpeed in the code to modify the car’s performance.
unsigned char carSpeed = 150;Increasing this value up to 255 will make the robot car move faster. Remember to re-upload the modified code to the Arduino Uno after making changes.
Conclusion: A Great STEM Project
The Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 is an excellent choice for anyone interested in learning about robotics and programming. Its comprehensive nature, well-organized components, and provided programming examples make it accessible to beginners, while its expandability and customization options offer plenty of challenges for more experienced users. Whether you’re looking for a Christmas gift or a hands-on STEM project, this kit delivers a rewarding and educational experience. While perhaps not ideal for very young children without assistance, it is perfectly suited for children aged 9 and up with adult supervision, and engaging for teens and adults alike.
