RoboClaw Car
VAT inc
Available for: 11+ years old
4 days, from 26 May'26 - 29 May’26
From 12.30 until 15.40
In this robotics engineering project, students build and program a Bluetooth-controlled robotic car equipped with a mechanical claw capable of grabbing and lifting objects. The project combines electronics, mechanical design, and embedded programming, giving students a realistic introduction to how modern robots are built.
Students assemble the robot using an ESP32 microcontroller, dual DC motors driven through an H-bridge motor driver, and a precision servo motor that operates the robotic claw. Power is provided by lithium-ion batteries and a voltage regulator, allowing students to explore how real robots manage power distribution for different subsystems.
Before building the circuit, students design the wiring diagram in Fritzing, learning how engineers plan electronic systems before assembling them. They then connect the controller, motor driver, motors, and servo using a custom robotics shield designed specifically for this project.
Programming is done in Arduino C within the Arduino IDE, allowing students to work with real embedded code. They learn how PWM signals control motor speed, how H-bridge drivers allow direction control, and how servo motors interpret pulse signals to achieve precise mechanical movement. Students also explore Bluetooth communication between the robot and a wearable controller.
Throughout the project, students test, debug, and refine their robot’s behavior, gaining experience with real engineering challenges such as motor control, signal timing, and power management.
By the end of the camp, students not only have a fully functional robot but also a deeper understanding of how electronic hardware and embedded software interact in real robotic systems. Each student takes their robot home, along with the knowledge and skills needed to continue improving and modifying their design.
That is take home project!
The Camp Dates and Time
4 days, from 26 May'26 - 29 May’26
Start at 12.30 until 15.40
Age: from 11 years old (to 17)
Location
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.
Parkshot, Richmond TW9 2RE
The closest parking at the Old Deer Park (Extension).
Learning outcomes
- Understand the architecture of a robotic system
Students learn how microcontrollers, motor drivers, motors, and power systems work together in a real robot.
- Design and interpret electronic schematics
Students create a circuit diagram and use it to assemble the complete robot system.
- Learn how H-bridge motor drivers control DC motors
Students explore how direction and speed control are implemented through an H-bridge and PWM signals.
- Program embedded systems using Arduino C
Students write code that directly controls motors and servos through a microcontroller.
- Understand PWM and timing-based control signals
Students learn how pulse-width modulation is used to control motor speed and servo position.
- Work with Bluetooth communication
Students explore how a robot can receive control commands wirelessly from a remote controller.
- Practice debugging and system testing
Students diagnose issues in hardware and software and refine their design to achieve stable robot operation.
There are some requirements exist for the course:
1. You must be confident in using a computer, keyboard and mouse. At the good user level.
2. Know how we save files on a computer, what a file and folders are, etc.
3. Be able to switch between windows in the operating system. Use the keys’ shortcuts.
4. No previous experience with 3D modeling is required.
5. No previous experience in Robotics is required.
6. You want to program robots and are not afraid to struggle with the difficulties of learning them.
7. Minimum previous experience with text-based programming is required. Ideally, you are able to make a program that performs basic maths operations with numbers. The programming language itself is not important.