How to make a DIY joystick control car with Arduino | Step by step instructions

Hello, welcome back to another tutorial from the SriTu Hobby. This tutorial includes how to make a joystick module control car with Arduino. Also, this project mainly used the Arduino UNO board and L293D motor driver shield. By the end of this tutorial, I hope you will know to try out this design on your own. Additionally, we have provided step-by-step instructions on how you can create this project in-house at a very low cost.

The process of this project

When the project is powered on, the Arduino board and motor driver board are activated, and the car powers up. Ensure that a voltage of 7.4 to 12 volts is supplied. When the joystick module is moved, the Arduino board receives the corresponding analog values. If the joystick module is pushed forward, the car moves forward; if pushed backward, the car moves backward; if pushed right, the car moves right; and if pushed left, the car moves left. All of these movements are controlled through the program.

OK, let’s do this project step by step. The required components are given below.

• Arduino UNO board x 1 — Our Store / Amazon
• L293D motor driver shield x 1 — Our Store / Amazon
• Joystick module x 1 — Our Store / Amazon
• Gear motor x 2 — Our Store / Amazon
• Wheels x 3 — Our Store / Amazon
• Li-ion battery holder x 1 — Our Store / Amazon
• Li-ion battery  x 1 — Amazon /
• Jumper wires — Our Store / Amazon
• Foamboard — Amazon
• Cardboard — Amazon

Disclosure: These Amazon links are Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Step 1

Firstly, identify these components.

Step 2

Secondly, cut the foam board as follows.

Step 3

Thirdly, let’s cut the car chassis. For that, use the following image.

Step 4

Now, glue the gear motors to this chassis.

Step 5

Then attach the caster wheel as follows.

Step 6

Now, attach the motor drive shield to the Arduino UNO board. Then, glue this to the car chassis.

Step 7

Afterward, connect the gear motors to the motor driver shield. To do this, use the circuit diagram below.

Step 8

Now, glue the battery holder as follows. After, connect it to the motor driver shield.

Step 9

Then, connect the joystick module to the motor driver shield. To do this, use the circuit diagram above.

Step 10

After, connect this car to the computer. Ok, let’s create the program for this project. It is as follows.

• AF motor library — Download
• The complete program of this project – Download

/*joystic car control project.
 * https://srituhobby.com
 */
 
#include <AFMotor.h>
#define x A0
#define y A1
#define Speed 180

AF_DCMotor motor1(3);
AF_DCMotor motor2(4);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  motor1.setSpeed(Speed);
  motor2.setSpeed(Speed);
}

void loop() {
  int X = analogRead(x);
  int Y = analogRead(y);

  Serial.print(X);
  Serial.print("\t");
  Serial.println(Y);

  if (X >= 800) {
    motor1.run(BACKWARD);
    motor2.run(BACKWARD);
  } else if (X <= 200) {
    motor1.run(FORWARD);
    motor2.run(FORWARD);
  } else if (Y >= 800) {
    motor1.run(FORWARD);
    motor2.run(BACKWARD);
  } else if (Y <= 200) {
    motor1.run(BACKWARD);
    motor2.run(FORWARD);
  } else {
    motor1.run(RELEASE);
    motor2.run(RELEASE);
  }
}

Code explanation

Firstly, the AF motor library is included.

#include <AFMotor.h>

Secondly, the joystick module input pins and car speed are defined.

#define x A0
#define y A1
#define Speed 180

Third, objects are created for the terminals we use. Example:- terminal 3 as motor1, terminal 4 as motor2.

AF_DCMotor motor1(3);
AF_DCMotor motor2(4);

In the setup function, the serial monitor starts. Also, the motor speed is set.

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
motor1.setSpeed(Speed);
motor2.setSpeed(Speed);
}

In the loop function, the analog values are obtained through the joystick module and inserted into the integer variables. Also, these values are printed on the serial monitor. Then, these values are checked using the IF condition. If the X value is greater than and equal to 800, the car moves forward. If the X value is less than and equal to 200, the car moves backward. If the Y value is greater than and equal to 800, the car turns left. If the Y value is less than and equal to 200, the car turns right. Otherwise, the car will stop.

void loop() {
int X = analogRead(x);
int Y = analogRead(y);

Serial.print(X);
Serial.print("\t");
Serial.println(Y);

if (X >= 800) {
motor1.run(BACKWARD);
motor2.run(BACKWARD);
} else if (X <= 200) {
motor1.run(FORWARD);
motor2.run(FORWARD);
} else if (Y >= 800) {
motor1.run(FORWARD);
motor2.run(BACKWARD);
} else if (Y <= 200) {
motor1.run(BACKWARD);
motor2.run(FORWARD);
} else {
motor1.run(RELEASE);
motor2.run(RELEASE);
}
}

Step 11

OK, now select the board and port. Then, upload this code to the Arduino board.

Step 12

Lastly, put the batteries into the battery holder and switch ON.

OK, enjoy this project. The full video guide is given below. So, we will meet in the next tutorial. Have a good day.

How to make a DIY joystick control car with Arduino | Step by step instructions