Start Here

This path takes you from your first Arduino sketch to a ROS 2 robot arm that finds objects with a camera. Each step builds on the one before it. If you already know the basics, jump to your level.

Level 0

Foundations

Learn what a microcontroller does, choose how to program it and upload your first sketches.

Arduino Uno · Beginner

  1. 01What is Arduino?Boards, pins and the Arduino ecosystem.
  2. 02Microcontroller programming typesBlock tools, C/C++, Python and IDEs compared.
  3. 03Arduino programming basicsYour first sketch, digital and analog pins, the Serial Monitor.

Level 1

Sensors and actuators

Wire and program the four parts you will find in almost every robot on this site, one at a time.

Arduino Uno · Beginner

  1. 04Servo control: SG90, PWM, PCA9685Move one servo, then drive many from a PCA9685 board.
  2. 05HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensorMeasure distance with sound pulses.
  3. 06L298N motor driverControl direction and speed of two DC motors.
  4. 07HC-05/HC-06 Bluetooth moduleSend commands from your phone to the Arduino.

Level 2

First projects

Combine input, logic and output into small devices that work on their own.

Arduino Uno · Beginner

  1. 08Joystick servo control with OLEDSteer two servos with a joystick and see both angles on an OLED.
  2. 09Password door lockKeypad, LCD and a servo latch.
  3. 10IR remote: LED and servo doorSwitch an LED with a TV remote, then open a door.
  4. 11Arduino radarA servo sweeps the ultrasonic sensor and your PC draws the scan.

Side track

3D design and printing

Design and print your own brackets and chassis parts.

No electronics · Beginner · Recommended before Level 3

  1. 12Introduction to 3D printingWorkflow, materials, a first CAD part and slicing.

Level 3

Mobile robots

Build robot cars that avoid obstacles, take commands from your phone and follow a line with PID control.

Arduino Uno and Mega · Beginner to intermediate

  1. 13Obstacle-avoiding robot carUltrasonic sensor on a servo, Arduino Motor Shield Rev3.
  2. 14Bluetooth robot carDrive it with a phone app over HC-05.
  3. 15OmObi: 3D printed Bluetooth carThe same electronics in a printed chassis.
  4. 16Line follower with KY-033 sensorsIR sensors keep the car on a white line.
  5. 17Line follower with TCS34725 and PIDA color sensor and PID control for smoother tracking.
  6. 18Advanced robot car with Arduino MegaAutonomous and Bluetooth modes in one car.

Level 4

Robot arms

Build servo arms with potentiometer and Bluetooth control, then switch to the ESP32 and control an arm from the browser.

Arduino, then ESP32 · Intermediate

  1. 196-DOF robot arm with potentiometersSix servos, each driven by its own potentiometer.
  2. 206-DOF robot arm with Bluetooth appControl the same arm from your phone.
  3. 21OmObiArm: mobile robot armThe arm mounted on the OmObi car.
  4. 22HC-SR04 with ESP32 and web dashboardYour first ESP32 project: Wi-Fi and a live dashboard.
  5. 23OmArm Zero Part 1: buildA 6-DOF (5+1 gripper) arm you control from the browser.

Level 5

ROS 2 with OmArm Zero

Turn the arm into a digital twin, plan collision-free motion with MoveIt 2 and pick objects with a camera.

ESP32 + a PC with ROS 2 · Intermediate to advanced

  1. 24OmArm Zero Part 2: URDF, RViz, GazeboDescribe the arm in URDF and simulate it.
  2. 25OmArm Zero Part 3: MoveIt 2Plan motion and drive the real servos from ROS 2.
  3. 26OmArm Zero Part 4: computer visionFind, grasp and move objects with a camera.

Level 6

OmArm One, the current series

Build a stiffer arm on real ball bearings, drive it with a game controller and export a digital twin from Fusion 360.

ESP32 + a PC with ROS 2 · Intermediate

  1. 27OmArm One Part 1: buildA 7-DOF (6+1 gripper) arm on real ball bearings.
  2. 28OmArm One Part 1.5: PS3 controllerDrive the arm with a gamepad, no PC needed.
  3. 29OmArm One Part 2: Fusion 360 to ROS 2URDF, RViz and Gazebo models that match the real arm.

Want the files for a build? Many projects have a project package with the 3D print files in one download; the newer ones also include code, wiring diagrams and a PDF guide.