Build a Maze-Solving Robot With Arduino – the Easy Way!

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Build a Maze-Solving Robot With Arduino – the Easy Way!

Ever wanted to create a robot that can think and navigate on its own? This guide will show you how to build a maze-solving robot using an Arduino UNO, IR sensors, and a few basic electronic components. No advanced coding or robotics experience is needed—just a passion for DIY and problem-solving!

What’s a Maze-Solving Robot?

Imagine a tiny, self-thinking robot that can explore and find its way out of a maze, just like a mini AI-powered explorer. Using infrared sensors to detect walls and obstacles, this robot follows the "Hand on Wall Rule" (Left-Hand Rule or Right-Hand Rule) to navigate through the maze. If you've ever built a line-following robot, think of this as its smarter, more independent cousin! (I’ve actually covered a similar project on our site, where I added a detailed explanation.)

How It Works

Our maze-solving robot is powered by three IR sensors and a simple yet effective left-hand rule algorithm to navigate through any given path. While more sensors could improve decision-making, we’re keeping things simple and fun! The challenge of building and fine-tuning its logic is what makes this project exciting.

Supplies

Arduino UNO & Motor Shield
3 IR Sensors for obstacle detection
2-Wheel Chassis & a Castor Wheel
2 BO Motors with wheels
2S Li-ion Battery Pack (5.6V–8.4V)
Wires, screws, and some patience

Circuit & Assembly

Simple Maze Solving Robot Assembled Image.jpg

Wiring Guide

IR Sensors: Connect the left, front, and right sensors to A0, A1, and A2 on the Arduino.
Motors: Connect the left motor to M1 and the right motor to M2 on the motor shield.
Power Supply: Use a 2S Li-ion battery pack to power the motor shield and Arduino.
Placement: Ensure the IR sensors are aligned properly to detect walls accurately.

By referring to the Maze solving robot Circuit Diagram, you will get a detailed view of the circuit.

The Code Breakdown

Using the AFMotor library, our robot reads sensor data, makes decisions, and moves accordingly. The logic is simple:

Right sensor detects a wall? Turn right.
Left sensor detects a wall? Turn left.
both Sensors detects wall? Turn left
No wall? Move forward!

// Maze Solving Robot Code

// This code is designed to control a maze-solving robot using the Adafruit Motor Shield and three infrared (IR) sensors to detect the robot's surroundings.

// The robot uses the IR sensors to sense the walls of the maze and determine the appropriate actions, such as moving forward, turning left or right, or performing a U-turn.

// Key Features:

// 1. IR Sensor Integration: Detects obstacles in front, left, and right of the robot.

// 2. Motor Control: Uses the Adafruit Motor Shield to control two DC motors for movement.

// 3. Decision-Making Logic: Implements a switch-case structure based on sensor states for navigation.

// 4. Customizable Parameters: Speed and delay values can be adjusted for smooth operation.

// 5. Debugging Capability: Serial output for monitoring the robot's behavior in real-time.

// The code is modular, with separate functions for forward movement, turning, stopping, and U-turns, ensuring clarity and ease of modification.

#include <AFMotor.h> // Include the Adafruit Motor Shield library for motor control

// Motor Definitions

AF_DCMotor motorA(1); // Motor A connected to terminal M1 on the motor shield

AF_DCMotor motorB(2); // Motor B connected to terminal M2 on the motor shield

// Sensor Pin Definitions

const int leftSensor = A0; // Left IR sensor pin

const int frontSensor = A1; // Front IR sensor pin

const int rightSensor = A2; // Right IR sensor pin

// Movement Parameters

const int forwardSpeed = 120; // Speed for forward movement

const int TurningSpeed = 115; // Speed for turning movements

const int turnDelay = 25; // Delay for completing a turn

const int uTurnDelay = 50; // Delay for completing a U-turn

void setup() {

// Configure sensor pins as input

pinMode(leftSensor, INPUT);

pinMode(frontSensor, INPUT);

pinMode(rightSensor, INPUT);

// Initialize serial communication for debugging

Serial.begin(9600);

}

void loop() {

// Read sensor values (0 or 1)

int leftValue = digitalRead(leftSensor);

int frontValue = digitalRead(frontSensor);

int rightValue = digitalRead(rightSensor);

// Combine sensor states into a single value for switch-case logic

int sensorState = (leftValue << 2) | (frontValue << 1) | rightValue;

// Decision-making based on sensor states

switch (sensorState) {

case 0b000: // No sensors detect a wall

uTurn(); // Perform a U-turn

Serial.println("Stop");

break;

case 0b010: // Only the front sensor detects a wall

moveForward(); // Move forward

Serial.println("Move Forward");

break;

case 0b111: // All sensors detect walls

turnLeft(); // Turn left

Serial.println("Turn Left");

break;

case 0b100: // Only the left sensor detects a wall

turnLeft(); // Turn left

Serial.println("Turn Left");

break;

case 0b110: // Front and left sensors detect walls

turnLeft(); // Turn left

Serial.println("Turn Left");

break;

case 0b001: // Only the right sensor detects a wall

turnRight(); // Turn right

Serial.println("Turn Right");

break;

case 0b011: // Front and right sensors detect walls

turnRight(); // Turn right

Serial.println("Turn Right");

break;

case 0b101: // Left and right sensors detect walls

stopMotors(); // Stop the motors

Serial.println("Turn Left");

break;

default: // Unknown sensor state

stopMotors(); // Stop the motors as a safety measure

Serial.println("Unknown State");

break;

}

// Function to move forward

void moveForward() {

motorA.setSpeed(forwardSpeed); // Set speed for motor A

motorB.setSpeed(forwardSpeed); // Set speed for motor B

motorA.run(FORWARD); // Move motor A forward

motorB.run(FORWARD); // Move motor B forward

}

// Function to turn left

void turnLeft() {

motorA.setSpeed(TurningSpeed - 20); // Reduce speed of motor A for smoother turn

motorB.setSpeed(TurningSpeed); // Set speed for motor B

motorA.run(BACKWARD); // Move motor A backward

motorB.run(FORWARD); // Move motor B forward

delay(turnDelay); // Delay to complete the turn

}

// Function to turn right

void turnRight() {

motorA.setSpeed(TurningSpeed); // Set speed for motor A

motorB.setSpeed(TurningSpeed - 20); // Reduce speed of motor B for smoother turn

motorA.run(FORWARD); // Move motor A forward

motorB.run(BACKWARD); // Move motor B backward

delay(turnDelay); // Delay to complete the turn

}

// Function to stop the motors

void stopMotors() {

motorA.run(RELEASE); // Release motor A

motorB.run(RELEASE); // Release motor B

}

// Function to perform a U-turn

void uTurn() {

motorA.setSpeed(TurningSpeed); // Set speed for motor A

motorB.setSpeed(TurningSpeed); // Set speed for motor B

motorA.run(FORWARD); // Move motor A forward

motorB.run(BACKWARD); // Move motor B backward

delay(uTurnDelay); // Delay to complete the U-turn

}

Testing and Troubleshooting

If the robot moves erratically, check the sensor alignment.
If the motors don’t run, ensure the battery pack is fully charged.
Adjust sensor placement for better detection if needed.

Conclusion

Congratulations! 🎉 You’ve built a simple maze-solving robot. This project introduces you to robotics, sensor-based navigation, and Arduino programming. To enhance it, try implementing path optimization or adding more sensors for better accuracy.

Happy building! 🚀