Free course

Think like a robot builder

Explore how sensing, decisions and movement work together in a small robot.

Skills you’ll gain:

Sense-Decide-Act ArchitectureDC Motor Driver InterfacingPWM Speed ControlUltrasonic Distance SensingFail-Safe LogicRover Prototyping

Enrol for free to unlock all lessons and save your progress.

Duration & Pacing1.5–2 Hours

Self-paced with practical lab tasks

Skill LevelBeginner

Basic circuit understanding

Practical Benchmark70% Hands-on prototyping

Hardware wiring & test exercises

VerificationKnowledge Check

Instant feedback with concept analysis

What you’ll learn

Deconstruct autonomous robot architectures into sensing, controller decision logic, and actuator movement

Interface high-current DC motors through dedicated motor drivers without exceeding microcontroller pin limits

Formulate safe obstacle-avoidance threshold detection with explicit invalid-reading guards

Execute progressive prototype testing with raised wheels before live floor deployment

Sense, decide, act
25 minsRobotics Architecture
Break down closed-loop feedback: distance sensing, threshold decision logic, and actuator response.
Control motors responsibly
35 minsActuator & Driver Power
Wire dual H-bridge motor drivers, isolate logic vs motor supply rails, and calculate stall current.
Test a small behaviour
30 minsSensor Integration & Test
Calibrate ultrasonic thresholds, handle sensor dropouts safely, and test chassis movements.

Includes a comprehensive final knowledge check to validate conceptual mastery.

Capstone Hardware Build

Apply robot builder principles to an autonomous 2-wheel rover design with motor drivers and ultrasonic sensors.