Hello, I’m Andre and this is how you can build and design your own robot with dancing features. This robot was designed as a team project for my junior design class at Georgia Tech. The entire system is completely controlled by an Arduino Uno microcontroller, with various user interface devices. The fundamental components to the motion of the system are two servos that have been attached to a model of a cello. This guide assumes you have experience with soldering, laser cutting equipment, c++ programming, circuit design, and 3D printing.
Step 1: Overview and Design Process
Step 2: BOM (Bill of Materials)
Materials:
• (X1) Arduino Uno Rev 3 – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3
• (X2) Servo motor – https://www.adafruit.com/product/2307
• Wood sheets
• Acrylic Sheets
• (X1) 9VDC 1000mA Power adapter – https://www.adafruit.com/product/63#technical-det…
• (X2) 10K Log Potentiometer – https://www.adafruit.com/product/3391
• (X2) Toggle Switch – https://www.adafruit.com/product/3221
• (X1) Mono Enclosed Speaker – https://www.adafruit.com/product/3351
• (X1) LM2596 DC-DC Buck Converter – https://www.amazon.com/LM2596-Converter-Module-Su…
• (X1) Mono Audio Amp Breakout – https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11044
• (X1) Breadboard and wires
• (X1) Wood glue
Tools:
• 3D Printer
• Laser cutter
• Soldering iron
Step 3: Software Design
You would want to start off by writing your C++ code for the Arduino, by writing simple functions to test out on the simulator. When working on the code for this project, I started off by testing the transition of states by using pushbuttons and LEDs and gradually added more functions such as audio playing sound, servo motor movement, and so on.
Once you have your software properly working on the TinkerCad simulator, you begin to wire it up to your breadboard, matching with your code. To test it out your breadboard you would need to get a compiled version of the program onto your Arduino Uno device:
• Download the Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software,
• In your new project file write and compile your code on the IDE
• Connect your Arduino device to your computer via USB
• Go to the tools menu, click on port, then click on the device which you want to upload your code onto
• Lastly, under the sketch menu, click on upload as shown in figure 7
The code for the Arduino microcontroller can be found here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software,
Step 4: PCB Design
• Next in the File menu, go to switch to the board.
• In the Board Editor all your components will be clumped tangled up to the left side, on the right, there is a frame that can be adjusted. The frame is used to adjust the dimensions of your PCB.
• Place your components neatly onto the frame to be able to place the circuit board on an Arduino.
• When all components are placed appropriately, use the RATSNEST command to redraw the air wires.
• Define a ground port to the top and bottom layer of the board by drawing a polygon around the entire frame first on the top layer. Then change the name of the polygon to GND and once you hit the RATSNEST button it will fill in the ground port.
• Next click on the AUTOROUTE icon, then set the preferred direction for the TOP layer to NA. If they’re a few signals that are not traced, you’ll manually route these signals by selecting the ROUTE tool and click on an endpoint of an unrouted air wire.
Read more: The CelloBot (Robot Design Controlled by an Arduino Uno)