The TechnoTrek Mini is a compact, WiFi-controlled car designed for young makers to build, understand, and drive. At the heart of this hands-on STEM project is a clever mechanical system featuring a real differential gear — a mechanism commonly used in real vehicles - which distributes power from a single motor to two driving wheels. A second motor physically steers the drive wheels by rotating the entire differential module, offering a unique and intuitive steering experience that’s both fun and educational.
Children assemble the car using a modular building kit with interlocking parts, introducing them to key principles of motion, gearing, and motor control. Once built, the vehicle comes to life via an ESP32 WROOM microcontroller and a DRV8833 motor driver. These components are programmed using RobiumCode, a block-based visual coding platform that simplifies the process and empowers kids to create their own driving logic. They’ll explore H-bridge motor control, speed regulation using PWM, and WiFi-based remote control - all accessible through a browser, with no apps or cables required.
To support their understanding of electronics, students use Fritzing to map out the wiring diagram, giving them visual insight into how the system is connected and powered. At the end of the workshop, each student takes home a fully assembled TechnoTrek Mini - a car they built, coded, and controlled themselves.
This project merges mechanics, electronics, and programming in an exciting and approachable way, perfect for classrooms, workshops, and afterschool programs focused on hands-on STEM learning.
That is take home project!
The Camp Dates and Time
5 days, from 27 - 31 Oct’25
Start at 9.00 until 12.10
Age: from 8 years old (to 11)
Location
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.
Parkshot, Richmond TW9 2RE
