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TatamiRacer

TatamiRacer is a tiny autonomous driving car built on a TAMIYA Mini 4WD kit that drives within a single tatami mat using Donkey Car deep-learning software.

  • Self-driving 1:10
  • Open source
  • 3D printable

Suggested by Robotheca, created by @covao (opens in a new tab), from github.com/covao/TatamiRacer (opens in a new tab). Pinned to commit 9aa07f5 (opens in a new tab).

Fork on GitHub (opens in a new tab)Download the files at this commit (.zip)
Hardware license
MIT (opens in a new tab)
Software license
MIT (opens in a new tab)
Commercial use
Allowed

This repository contains executable files that Robotheca doesn't check. Only run them if you trust the creator.

Which files (2 scripts)

Photo and 3D model

TatamiRacer, photo from its repository
Photo:@covao (opens in a new tab)MITsource file (opens in a new tab)

3D preview converted from github.com/covao/TatamiRacer at 9aa07f5, under MIT. View the original files from GitHub (6.8 MB) (opens in a new tab)

Cable length
10 cm

What it can do

Written by Robotheca from the project's documents.

  • Tiny autonomous driving car built on a TAMIYA Mini 4WD kit, operating within a single tatami mat (about 1.8m x 0.9m)
  • Uses Donkey Car software for deep-learning and self-driving control
  • Can be driven manually with a gamepad (USB or Bluetooth)
  • Supports Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W or Raspberry Pi 4 as the onboard computer

Bill of materials

This repository has no parts list Robotheca can read yet.

Build guide

The creator's steps, each with its instructions.

  1. 1Print the 3D parts from the kit and assembly STL files
  2. 2Assemble the TAMIYA Mini 4WD chassis and attach the body
  3. 3Wire the Raspberry Pi, camera, motor driver, DC motor and micro servo according
  4. 4Set up the software (Donkey Car)
  5. 5Calibrate the TatamiRacer
  6. 6Train and drive the car

The guide appears here as you scroll.

Guide by @covao (README.md), under MIT.

More guides

Wiring and electronics

Notes written by Robotheca from the project's documents.

Main parts

  • Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W or Raspberry Pi 4 as the controller board
  • Raspberry Pi Camera Module (v1.3 OV5647 or v2.1 IMX219)
  • L298N motor driver module for the DC motor (H-bridge)
  • 130 DC drive motor, low speed and low current
  • TowerPro SG90 micro servo for steering
  • Mobile battery (5V, up to 2.1A) as power supply
  • Micro SD card of 16GB or more for storage
  • Optional gamepad for manual control

Connections

  • Jumper cables with female connectors link the parts together
  • The L298N motor driver is connected to the Raspberry Pi through male 90-degree pin headers
  • The motor driver and harness are built by the builder as a separate assembly step
  • The mobile battery powers the Raspberry Pi through a Type-C USB cable