An electronics enthusiast recently shared an impressive project called Tiny Battle Bots, inspired by the popular BattleBots game show. This creative endeavor combines 3D printing and custom PCB design to produce compact, soccer-playing robots. At the heart of the project is the ESP8266 microcontroller, which enables wireless control for precise movement and gameplay commands.
The robot’s chassis is 3D-printed, providing a lightweight, durable structure that securely houses all components. A custom-designed PCB minimizes wiring complexity by integrating the ESP8266 microcontroller, motor drivers, and essential circuits, resulting in enhanced reliability and efficiency.
Four N20 motors power the robot, with movement controlled by the ESP8266 through an L293D motor driver IC. The custom PCB is designed to incorporate critical features in a small form factor, including a battery charging circuit, voltage boosting circuit, USB-to-UART interface, and the motor driver circuit, making the design compact and highly functional.
Moreover, the ESP8266 doubles as a web server, allowing users to wirelessly control the robot through an intuitive web interface. This functionality ensures easy navigation and makes the bot highly versatile for various applications, including competitive matches or educational demonstrations.
This project serves as an excellent starting point for anyone interested in robotics. While replicating the design without a custom PCB might be slightly challenging, it’s still possible to adapt the concept by compromising on size and integration. With a mix of creativity and perseverance, you too can build your own version of Tiny Battle Bots and delve into the fascinating world of robotics.
Happy building!
