Summary of Drifter – Arduino controlled RC car
The Drifter project modifies a cheap RC toy car, "Fast Lane Monster Drift," by integrating an Arduino Pro Mini to control its motors via the original remote control signals. The Arduino replaces the car's primitive motor control board, enabling smoother PWM-driven movements. The remote control also serves as a mode selector on startup. Future enhancements include adding a 3.3V ultrasonic sensor (SRF01 or Maxbotix) for autonomous operation, since the current HC-SR04 5V sensor is incompatible with the car’s 3.3V electronics.
Parts used in the Drifter project:
- Fast Lane Monster Drift RC toy car
- Arduino Pro Mini
- HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor (initially, 5V device)
- SRF01 ultrasonic sensor (3.3V compatible alternative)
- Maxbotix ultrasonic sensor (3.3V compatible alternative)
- Original RC receiver IC and motor driver board (with 2 H-Bridges and voltage regulator)
Drifter is based on a cheap RC toy car I found at Toys’r’us, named ‘Fast lane Monster Drift’. I think it’s the same model Frits has been used in an episode of TLIHR. It doesn’t work well, you get what you pay for. But it is a good hacking platform. There is no much space left for additional electronics, but a Arduino Pro Mini fits very well on the rear axle.
The onboard electronic is as usual very primitive. A PCB with a RC receiver IC, 2 H-Bridges for drive and steering motor, and a voltage regulator (3,3V). Lucky me I found the control signals going from the RC receiver to the motor drivers and an easy way to cut these connectors and put the Arduino between. That way I can use the existing remote control. 4 Inputs and 4 outputs were needed (forward, backward, left and right). As outputs the PWM capable pins 5,6,9,10 has been used to give the possibility of smooth movements, instead full speed drive and steering from the original hardware.
The Remote control is used as a mode selector. On power up the Arduino reads the remote and executes the selected mode of operation.
Further development:
To make the car autonomous it needs a ultrasonic sensor. Unfortunately I only have a HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor ready, witch is a 5V device. The existing electronics and the Arduino are 3.3V powered. So the HC-SR04 needs to be replaced with a SRF01 or Maxbotix sensor. Both work with 3.3V.
For more detail: Drifter – Arduino controlled RC car
