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6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

Compact Robotic Platform With Motor Driver On Chassis PCB

A compact robotic platform that integrates motor-driver circuitry, power management, and sensor interfaces directly onto the robot chassis PCB to reduce wiring complexity.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

3–6V R140 DC Motor (High-Speed DIY & Toy Motor) Rs. 49.00
L298N Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver Module – 2A Rs. 195.00
110 RPM Single Shaft BO Motor – Straight Rs. 99.00
TowerPro SG90 Mini Servo – 180 degree Rotation – Standard Quality Rs. 179.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: Battery (generic / unspecified)
Capacitors
Header Pins / Terminals / Connectors

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How It Works

The Compact Robotic Platform is an undergraduate-level autonomous system built around an IndusBoard / IndusBoard Coin microcontroller. The foundation of the hardware is a custom PCB chassis that acts both as the structural frame for the robot and the functional circuit board, eliminating messy off-board wiring. Propulsion is handled by two N20 DC geared motors driven by a DRV8833 dual motor driver IC, which allows precise bidirectional control and speed regulation using Pulse Width Modulation signals. Power distribution and circuit stability are supported by a passive component network, including a 10uF capacitor (C1), a 2.2uF capacitor (C2), and a 10nF capacitor strategically placed to filter voltage spikes, suppress high-frequency noise from the DC motors, and stabilize power rails. Peripheral integration is achieved via an FPC connector, standard header pins, and dedicated servo connectors for adding actuators. Furthermore, onboard I2C expansion connectors allow engineering students to easily interface external sensors, such as IMUs, rangefinders, or environmental monitors, turning the bare platform into a fully integrated, closed-loop autonomous agent capable of localized sensing and movement.

Why Build This

Integrates hardware design principles by merging structural chassis mechanics with custom PCB layout and power management.

Provides a versatile, rapid-prototyping testbed for undergraduate robotics coursework, small autonomous mobile systems, and IoT sensor nodes.

Eliminates breadboard-to-chassis wiring complexity using dedicated FPC, header, servo, and I2C expansion connectors.

Real-World Application

Educational robotics, small-scale autonomous mobile robots, automated guided vehicles, and rapid prototyping for IoT sensor nodes.

Skills You'll Learn

PCB chassis integration

motor driver configuration

PWM speed control

power decoupling and filtering

I2C sensor expansion

robotic platform prototyping

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

PCB DESIGN

MOTOR DRIVER

ROBOTICS

N20 DC GEARED MOTOR

DRV8833

SMT ASSEMBLY

FPC CABLE

I2C

WI-FI

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of capacitors C1, C2, and the 10nF capacitor on the chassis PCB?

These capacitors act as decoupling and filtering elements. They smooth out voltage fluctuations and suppress electrical noise generated by the N20 DC geared motors to keep the IndusBoard microcontroller running stably.

Can I connect external sensors to this robotic platform?

Yes. The board includes dedicated I2C expansion connectors, an FPC connector, and header pins specifically designed to attach sensors and peripherals without cluttering the chassis.

Do I need separate motor driver boards to control the N20 motors?

No. The DRV8833 dual motor driver IC is integrated directly onto the chassis PCB, saving space and reducing external wiring complexity.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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