LibreRover
A small, cheap, open-source educational robot built for Arduino and robotics workshops, with mostly 3D-printed parts and expandable sensors.
- Wheeled
- Open source
- arduino
- 3D printable
Suggested by Robotheca, created by @buchbergerd (opens in a new tab), from github.com/buchbergerd/LibreRover (opens in a new tab). Pinned to commit 2534241 (opens in a new tab).
- Hardware license
- CERN-OHL-P-2.0 (opens in a new tab)
- Software license
- MIT (opens in a new tab)
- Commercial use
- Allowed
Photo and 3D model
3D preview converted from github.com/buchbergerd/LibreRover at 2534241, under CERN-OHL-P-2.0. View the original files from GitHub (5.4 MB) (opens in a new tab)
What it can do
Written by Robotheca from the project's documents.
- Open-source educational rover built around an Arduino framework, with modular add-on sensors.
- Two drive wheels, each driven by a DC motor with an optional encoder, plus a passive glider as third contact point.
- Software classes Motor and EncoderMotor handle direction, PWM speed, and moving a wheel a set distance.
- Optional sensors include IR reflection sensors, light-gate encoders, and VL53L0X time-of-flight distance sensors.
- Microcontroller can be an Arduino Nano (simple) or an ESP32 (adds WiFi), or another microcontroller.
Bill of materials
9 parts9 of 9 parts shown
| # | Component | Quantity | Est. price | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arduino Nano | 1 | €3.40 | – |
| 2 | DC Motors with Encoders | 2 | €2.80 | – |
| 3 | Motor Driver (HW-201 or L298N) | 1 | €2.50 | – |
| 4 | 9V Battery | 1 | €3.50 | – |
| 5 | Jumper Wires | – | €3.80 | – |
| 6 | Light gate LM393 (for simple encoder) | 2 | €3.20 | – |
| 7 | HW-201 IR reflection sensor | 2 | €1.30 | – |
| 8 | VL53L0X ToF distance sensor | 3 | €4 | – |
| 9 | Others | – | €1 | – |
Read from README.md at the pinned commit.
Build guide
The creator's steps, each with its instructions.
- 1Print the body and sensor mounting parts
- 2Print or source wheels with rubber grip
- 3Assemble the motors
- 4Attach the glider as third contact point
- 5Assemble the sensors
- 6Mount the 9V battery
- 7Wire the electronics
The guide appears here as you scroll.
Guide by @buchbergerd (README.md), under CERN-OHL-P-2.0 (hardware) and MIT (software).
Wiring and electronics
Notes written by Robotheca from the project's documents.
Main parts
- Arduino Nano or compatible clone as the main controller.
- DC motors with encoders, two units, one per drive wheel.
- L298N or HW-201 dual H-bridge motor driver.
- 9V battery as power supply, with a switch.
- Optional LM393 light-gate encoders and HW-201 IR reflection sensors.
- Optional VL53L0X time-of-flight distance sensors, up to three.
Connections
- Motor driver IN1 and IN2 pins set motor direction, connected to Arduino digital pins.
- Motor driver EN pin connected to a PWM-capable Arduino pin for speed control.
- Breakout boards are used for all sensors, so connections are made with jumper wires.
- The 9V battery powers the motor driver and the controller.
Cables and connectors
From the parts list.
- Jumper Wires