6 · Full projects
Project: obstacle-avoiding robot
Expert45 min
Goal
Move forward, detect an obstacle under 20 cm and go around it.
Why it matters
Perception → decision → action loop, exactly like a real robot.
What you need
- Arduino UNO board
- Piezo buzzer
- SG90 servo motor
- HC-SR04 distance
Nothing to buy: every component below is simulated in the browser.
Steps
- 01Two DC motors + ultrasonic sensor on a panning servo.
- 02Measure distance continuously.
- 03Below 20 cm: back up, turn, then continue.
- 04Structure everything as a state machine.
This tutorial runs inside the Circuitly simulator: your wiring and your code are checked automatically at every step.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to buy hardware for this tutorial?
- No. Everything runs in the browser: Circuitly simulates the board, the components and the code. Real hardware is optional if you want to rebuild the circuit afterwards.
- Which components are used?
- Arduino UNO board, Piezo buzzer, SG90 servo motor, HC-SR04 distance. They are already available in the simulator library.
- How long does it take?
- About 45 minutes, expert level, in 4 guided steps.
- What should I know before starting?
- The previous tutorial in the series, “Project: data logger”, is enough preparation. No software install is required.
- Is the code provided and checked?
- The simulator checks your wiring and your code automatically at every step, and shows the commented solution if you get stuck.
For teachers
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In the same series
- Project: thermostat
Regulate a target temperature with hysteresis and a display.
- Project: intrusion alarm
Detect movement, fire the siren and arm/disarm with a button.
- Project: data logger
Sample a sensor at a steady rate, timestamp it and store it.
- Project: smartwatch
Show time, steps and temperature on the OLED, with button navigation.