Are you searching for an engaging and educational gift, or perhaps diving into the world of robotics yourself? The Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 is an excellent choice, perfectly suited for both electronics novices and seasoned Arduino IDE users eager to push the limits of its four DC motors. This kit, marked as version 3.0, immediately signals a well-developed and comprehensive package.
Priced around 70 Euros, placing it in a premium segment, this kit offers next-day availability through online retailers. But what exactly do you get for your investment?
The Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 arrives meticulously packaged in a two-layer box, with each component individually wrapped. It’s a truly complete package: including a charger with 2x 18650 batteries – the ubiquitous power source of our era – basic screwdrivers, a CD-ROM containing INO files for the Arduino UNO, a USB cable, and PDF manuals in multiple languages including English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Chinese.
First, power up the batteries using the included European adapter plug.
Next, it’s highly recommended to watch an assembly video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0RBPQV0dto) to differentiate between the top and bottom acrylic layers, which are initially quite similar and both marked “A”.
The left plate in the image is the top one. It features a cutout designed for the “blue” SG90 Micro Servo motor, which is used for the ultrasound sensor. Remember to peel off the protective film from both black acrylic plates.
Should you require further assistance, Elegoo provides support via two email addresses: [email protected] (for EU/JP) and [email protected] (for US/CA).
Support Videos:
For a comprehensive overview, check out this review video:
[Review video link]
For a step-by-step guide on unboxing and assembly, refer to this tutorial:
[Assembly tutorial link]
Now comes the exciting phase: the actual assembly. Allocate approximately 2 hours for this process.
Each component is accompanied by a labeled bag containing the exact number of fixings needed. Coffee drinkers might find saucers useful for organizing the tiny screws, or you could repurpose the box’s layer as a parts tray.
When attaching the aluminum profiles to the 4 yellow DC motors, be cautious not to overtighten the small M3 screws directly. It’s advisable to first secure the profiles to the motors using the two longer M3 screws.
Cables are designed for error-free connection to the Arduino Shield or Motor Shield via JST adapters, also known as “XH2.54 ports”.
For the line tracker cable (located beneath the lower acrylic plate), ensure correct polarity. The single red cable (for power supply) must be in position 1 when connecting to the line tracker, and sometimes position 2 when connecting to the Arduino Shield. Double-check the orientation to avoid issues.
The Arduino Shield then mounts onto the Arduino Uno, which is already fixed to the upper acrylic plate. Three fixing screws are provided for this step.
The Bluetooth module HC-08 and the Ultrasonic sensor are shown here. The ultrasonic sensor is secured with 4 tiny screws to a black plate, which is then mounted onto the blue SG90 Micro Servo motor.
Be aware that the screws for the ultrasonic sensor plate might be slightly short. A resourceful maker can overcome this by either extending the screws if possible, or by slightly trimming the corners of the black plate with a knife to ensure a proper fit.
Testing and Initial Power-Up
Once assembled and powered by the 2 batteries, all components should indicate they are functioning by illuminating their LEDs.
Programming Your Elegoo Smart Robot Car V3.0
Don’t be surprised if, upon initial power-up, only the LEDs illuminate and the car remains stationary. Movement is enabled only after you upload one of the provided INO files (Arduino sketches) from the included CD-ROM (or via download) to the Arduino UNO and restart the board.
https://www.elegoo.com/tutorial/Elegoo%20Smart%20Robot%20Car%20Kit%20V3.0.2018.06.06.zip
Important: Remember to detach the Bluetooth module from the shield before uploading the Arduino sketch to prevent conflicts during the upload process.
To control your robot car via smartphone, install the free “Elegoo BLE” app from your app store. This app facilitates a connection to the Bluetooth module “HC-08” and allows you to define commands that trigger specific actions in your robot car.
As shown in the app interface, the code responds to transmitted letters. If you wish to customize these control commands, you’ll need to modify the “bluetooth_car.ino” sketch.
The default command definitions are:
- Lights On/Off: “a”
- Forward: “f”
- Backward: “b”
- Left: “l”
- Right: “r”
- Stop: “s”
void loop() {
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;
default: break;
}
}The robot car is surprisingly fast. You can experiment with code parameters, such as increasing the speed value up to 255:
unsigned char carSpeed = 150;Beyond Bluetooth control, the kit supports other operational modes including infrared control, obstacle avoidance, and line tracking. The Arduino sketches for these modes are also available on the included CD-ROM and in the download area as a ZIP file. Exploring these different programming options expands the learning possibilities of the Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 significantly.
Conclusion: A Great STEM Introduction
The Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0, despite its accessible design, is best suited for children slightly older than school beginners. While a Bristle-Bot project might be more appropriate for very young children, this kit is highly recommended for children aged 9 and above, especially with adult guidance for younger users. Teenagers and older enthusiasts should be able to assemble and program it independently. This kit offers a fantastic entry point into robotics, electronics, and Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit V3 0 Programming, making it a valuable and enjoyable learning experience.
