If you are interested in robotics, you might be wondering how to get started with this exciting and diverse field. Robotics can offer you many opportunities to learn new skills, solve problems, and have fun. However, robotics can also be daunting and costly for beginners who don’t have much experience or guidance.
That’s why we have compiled a list of 10 open source robotic project that you can try as a beginner. These projects are suitable for anyone who wants to learn the basics of robotics, such as how to use sensors, motors, and controllers. These projects also cover a variety of topics and applications, such as mobile robots, robotic arms, drones, and more.
All you need to start these projects are some common and affordable hardware components, such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and LIDAR. You also need some software tools, such as ROS (Robot Operating System), which is a popular and powerful framework for developing robotic applications.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into these 10 open source robotic projects for beginners.
1. Open Source Line Following Robot using ROS and Raspberry Pi
A line-following robot is a simple and one of the classic open source robotic projects that can teach you the basics of robotics, such as sensors, motors, and control. A line-following robot can detect and follow a line on the floor using infrared or color sensors. You can use a Raspberry Pi as the brain of the robot, and ROS as the software framework.
This open source robotic project will show you how to build a line-following robot using a Raspberry Pi 4B, a Pi Camera Module V2, an L298N motor driver module, two DC motors with wheels, a breadboard, some jumper wires, and some electrical tape. You will also learn how to install ROS on your Raspberry Pi, and how to write a Python script that uses OpenCV to process the camera images and control the motors.
The estimated cost of this project is around $100 USD.
2. Open Source Obstacle Avoidance Robot using Arduino and Ultrasonic Sensors
Github Link of an obstacle avoiding project
An obstacle avoidance robot is another simple and another example of classic open source robotic project that can teach you the basics of robotics, such as sensors, motors, and control. An obstacle avoidance robot can detect and avoid obstacles in its path using ultrasonic sensors.
This open source robotic project will show you how to build an obstacle avoidance robot using an Arduino Uno board, an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor module, an L298N motor driver module, two DC motors with wheels, a breadboard, some jumper wires, and some batteries. You will also learn how to write an Arduino sketch that uses the ultrasonic sensor to measure the distance to the nearest obstacle and control the motors accordingly.
The estimated cost of this project is around $50 USD.
3. SLAM Robot using Raspberry Pi and LIDAR
A SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) robot is a more advanced and challenging robotic project that can teach you the fundamentals of robotics, such as perception, localization, and mapping. A SLAM robot can create a map of an unknown environment, and locate itself within the map, using a LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor.
Github Link of Slam Robot Project
This open source robotic project will guide you how to build a SLAM robot using a Raspberry Pi 4B,a RPLIDAR A1M8 360° laser scanner module, an L298N motor driver module, two DC motors with wheels, a breadboard, some jumper wires, and some batteries. You will also learn how to install ROS on your Raspberry Pi,and how to use the ROS packages for SLAM,such as gmapping,rviz,and teleop_twist_keyboard.
The estimated cost of this project is around $200 USD.
4. Open Source Robotic Project, Maze Solve using Arduino and IR Sensors
A maze solver robot is a more advanced and challenging open source robotic project that can teach you the basics of robotics, such as sensing, actuation, and logic. A maze solver robot can find its way out of a maze, using IR sensors. IR sensors are devices that can emit and receive IR light, and measure the intensity of the reflected light. You can use an Arduino as the brain of the robot, and a motor driver as the interface between the Arduino and the motors.
Buy Components related to Maze Solve Robotic Project
5. Open Source Path Planning Robotic Project using Raspberry Pi and ROS
A path-planning robot is a more advanced and challenging robotic project that can teach you the fundamentals of robot programming, such as navigation, motion planning, and control. This open source robot project can find and follow the optimal path from a start point to a goal point, while avoiding obstacles, using a camera and a LIDAR sensor.
6. Open Source Robotic Arm Project using Arduino and Servo Motors
A robotic arm is a versatile and popular robotic project that can teach you the basics of robotics, such as kinematics, dynamics, and control. In this open source robotic project, arm can move and manipulate objects using servo motors. Servo motors are motors that can rotate to a specific angle and can be controlled using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals.
7. Open Source Drone Project using Raspberry Pi and Python
A drone is a fun and exciting robotic project that can teach you the basics of robotics, such as aerodynamics, flight control, and communication. This open source robotic project focuses on building a drone can fly and perform various maneuvers using propellers and motors. You can use a Raspberry Pi as the brain of the drone, and Python as the programming language.
8. Open Source Quadruped Robot Project using Arduino and Servo Motors
A quadruped robot is a complex and impressive robotic project that can teach you the basics of robotics, such as locomotion, gait, and balance. This open source robotic project focuses on building a quadruped robot can walk and run on four legs using servo motors. You can use an Arduino as the brain of the robot, and a servo shield as the interface between the Arduino and the servo motors.
9. Open Source Hexapod Robot Project using Raspberry Pi and ROS
A hexapod robot is a complex and impressive robotic project that can teach you the fundamentals of robotics, such as locomotion, gait, and balance. This open-source robotic project focuses on building a hexapod robot which can walk and run on six legs using servo motors. You can use a Raspberry Pi as the brain of the robot, and ROS as the software framework.
Conclusion
So, if you’re a beginner looking to dive into the world of robotics, these 10 open-source robotic projects are a great place to start. Not only will you learn the basics of robotics, but you’ll also gain hands-on experience with a variety of applications.”
