instructables
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat
by Slant Concepts
The Waterbot is a robotics arduino boat. He can be Now STEM students and hobbyists have a
programmed from scratch using arduino tools or just programmable arduino platform for exploring small
built and contolled using the LittleBots app. It is ponds or just being creative in the water. You can use
currently Live on Kickstarter. this kit to learn basic robotics, flotation,
hydrodynamics, electronics, and programming.
At Slant, for the past two years, we have been
developing and manufacturing 3D printed arduino But we still have some final development to do. You
robotics kits. Up to this point we have created 5 can support the Waterbot on Kickstarter. You can
also visit the LittleBots website for other tutorials and
When we started on the 6th bot, we knew that we great robots and parts.
wanted to go where no robot had gone before. So we
chose water. No one in the entire Arduino community Follow Slant Concepts on Facebook to get updates
had created a robotics kit for the pool or the puddle. on new projects.
We fixed that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZUh_qukQOA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BIkSaHvZUY
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 1
Step 1: Parts
1. Main LittleBots Arduino Board
2. Continuous Rotation Servos
3. Arduino Nano
4. 4x Battery Pack
5. Bluetooth Module
6. Ultrasonic sensor and 4x jumper wires
7. 3D Printed Parts
Step 2: Insert Servos
Insert the Servo into the slots of each side
Make sure that the armature of the servo is down and forward in the slot and the lead is going through into the
electronics compartment on the main body.
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 2
Step 3: Connect Paddle Wheels
1. Insert the two prong servo horn into the slot in the paddle wheel.
2. Press the wheel and horn onto the armature of each servo and secure with the servo horn screw.
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 3
Step 4: Insert Ultrasonic Sensors
1. Press the Ultrasonic sensor into the eye holes of the main body.
2. Make sure the leads of the sensor or pointing up.
1. You may also bend the leads so that they point straight backwards.
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 4
Step 5: Insert Battery Pack
1. Load the battery pack with AA batteries
2. Slip the pack in the slot in the back of the Waterbot
Step 6: Upload Code to Arduino.
1. Get the Latest Walter_OS or Waterbot Arduino Sketch from the downloads page of the LittleBots
website.
2. Using the Arduino IDE, upload the sketch to the arduino Nano.
Always make sure to upload the code before connecting the Bluetooth module. Bluetooth and USB will interfere
with each other and create a bad serial connection.
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 5
Step 7: Prep Main Board
1. Insert the Arduino Nano in to the main Board so that the USB Port point back towards the main
power switch
2. Plug in the bluetooth module into the bluetooth port as shown. Labels are also printed on the board
for reference.
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 6
Step 8: Insert Main Board
1. Connect the Ultrasonic sensor to the main board
2. Connect the left and right servo leads to the main board
3. Slide the board into the the forward electronics compartment on the Waterbot, so that the bluetooth
module is protruding out the back.
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 7
Step 9: Enjoy
1. Download the Littlebot app and Connect the bluetooth following the instructions in the video
2. Start Enjoying. And maybe even edit the code to add new functions.
Let us know what you think of the Waterbot and what you do with him on our Facebook Page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IadnOwMVxfA&t=2s
I can't help thinking that these are cute ;) ... and a lot of fun!
Nice work.
Waterbot: Arduino Robot Boat: Page 8
