Published July 13, 2024 © GPL3+

A remote-controlled steamboat with Arduino

Let's design a scale model of a steamboat, one of those that plied the Mississippi in 1800, entirely functional and managed through Arduino.

IntermediateFull instructions provided12 hours300

A remote-controlled steamboat with Arduino

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino UNO

IR receiver (generic)

IR transmitter (generic)

Breadware Inc Mega-B Development Kit

Motor DC 3-6V

USB-A to B Cable

rgb led

active buzze

SparkFun Breadboard Power Supply 5V/3.3V

Resistor 220 ohm

H-Bridge L293D

Dupont connector

9V battery (generic)

9V Battery Clip

polystyrene, wire, fabric, ice cream tub, cardboard, metal rod

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Autodesk Tinkercad

Story

In a previous article we saw the guys from ITS New Technologies for Life dealing with a radio-controlled car via the Web. Today we will get to know another ITS working group, made up of Sara Defilippis, Silvia Magrì and Pietro Manenti ( in alphabetical order). As a final exam in the electronics course, the group presented another radio-controlled system, a wheeled boat. In addition to the classic electronic and software management problems, the project also involves some peculiar characteristics (buoyancy, maneuverability, resistance of the vehicle, waterproofing) which make it interesting for publication.

Silvia, Pietro and Sara

Let's give them the floor.

Initial idea

The initial project consists of the idealization of a boat that is capable of floating, with the possibility of being able to coordinate and control its movements, the switching on of an RGB LED and the activation and deactivation of an active buzzer through the use of an IR remote control.

Roles and responsibilities

physical circuit: Silvia Magrì
assembly: Pietro Manenti
digital circuit (tinkercad): Silvia Magrì
programming: Silvia Magrì and Pietro Manenti
boat construction: Pietro Manenti
report: Sara Defilippis
decoration: Sara Defilippis
testing: Pietro Manenti, Sara Defilippis and Silvia Magrì

The approach

To carry out the project, we looked for an idea that could best reflect the desire to test oneself while at the same time choosing a project suitable for beginners. Modifications were therefore developed on the circuit and on the code, ultimately leaving room for aesthetics as well.

The project

The software is available here.

Assembly

A polystyrene parallelepiped was taken, which was cut into the shape of a boat with a knife; subsequently a series of holes were cut inside, into which the motors and batteries were inserted.

The circuit was placed above the hull, covered by the ice cream tray to obtain greater circuit protection and better aesthetics.

To fix the receiver in a position to receive the signal, it was necessary to fix an iron rod to the hull, to which we attached a pink fabric sail using a spray can.

The plastic tray was then fixed to the hull using wire; it was cut to obtain a satisfactory aesthetic result.

We have carved the structure to show the LED at the top of the tray.

Finally, the blades were printed in 3D (in PLA) using the Ender 3 printer.

Critical issues encountered

Various difficulties were encountered in the implementation of the project.

Search for an idea for the project to be implemented in line with initial knowledge - Many projects initially appeared interesting, but upon subsequent analysis they turned out to be too complex for the level of knowledge gained by the group in the short space of the course -
Programming the various cycles of the code (RGB LED) - Although managing the individual sensors/actuators is trivial, adding more components to the project increases its complexity exponentially.
Remote control range - The IR remote control, although equipped with a "debouncing" system for pressing the buttons, has a decidedly limited range of action. For this reason, the next version of the system involves the use of a steering system through web services connected via wi-fi to a cloud.
Circuit composition (H bridge with the pair of engines) - We had to learn to manage the functions (and activation times) of a paddle engine in water, study the power necessary to make the vessel move and curve without causing hydrofoil effects.
3D printing (printing time) - Printing times for the blades were always higher than expected, both due to their complexity and to the waiting queue. Furthermore, we had to test different shovel models with different curvatures, which would allow advancement without affecting too much the power required.
Physical assembly of the boat (cable management) - Contrary to usual, the boat had to function in water: we therefore had to provide a waterproofing and protection system for the electrical circuits.

Future extensions

For version 2.0 of the project it was decided to improve the skeleton of the boat by making it more waterproof, faster and lighter, by installing more powerful engines and even more efficient blades. Furthermore, it was decided to make it an amphibious vehicle, installing blades with different shapes and wheels to reduce friction with the ground.

Final thoughts

Considering that the group had no previous knowledge of electronics and Arduino, and had just finished the Harvard CS50 course (introduction to programming), the results were pleasantly positive: the boys and girls learned to work in groups, dividing tasks and responsibilities, organizing the work into parallelizable modules and carrying out in-depth Quality Assurance work before the delivery of the prototype. The choice of reusable materials shows attention towards green making, and the organization enabled them to deliver the finished and functioning prototype within the required deadline.

Not only increased capabilities in terms of Software and Electronics, therefore, but also a whole series of skills that will come in handy once they enter the world of work.

Well done!

Code

Arduino radio-controlled steambot

/*
All’ uso di questo codice bisogna dare i crediti a ITS NUOVE TECNOLOGIE DELLA VITA agli studenti del Informatica Biomedicale 4.0 in particolare Silvia Magrì, Pietro Manenti e Sara Defilippis.
*/

#include "IRremote.h"

//PIN MOTORE 1
#define ENABLE 5 //ENABLE 1
#define DIRA 3 // IN1
#define DIRB 4 //IN2

//PIN MOTORE 2
#define U 2 // ENABLE 2
#define A 6 // IN3
#define H 7 //IN4

// PIN RGB LED
#define BLUE 9
#define RED 10
int blueValue;
int redValue;
int luci = LOW;

// PIN RICEVITORE - TELECOMANDO
int receiver = 8;
IRrecv irrecv(receiver);
decode_results results;

// PIN BUZZER ATTIVO
int buzzer = 12; 
int suono = LOW;

void translateIR()
{
  switch(results.value)
  {
  case 0xFFA25D: 
  {
    Serial.print("POWER = "); 
    Serial.println(results.value, HEX);
    break;
  }
  /* case 0xFFE21D: Serial.println("FUNC/STOP"); break;
  case 0xFF629D: Serial.println("VOL+"); break;
  case 0xFF22DD: Serial.println("FAST BACK");    break;
  case 0xFF02FD: Serial.println("PAUSE");    break;
  case 0xFFC23D: Serial.println("FAST FORWARD");   break;
  case 0xFFE01F: Serial.println("DOWN");    break;
  case 0xFFA857: Serial.println("VOL-");    break;
  case 0xFF906F: Serial.println("UP");    break;
  case 0xFF9867: Serial.println("EQ");    break;
  case 0xFFB04F: Serial.println("ST/REPT");    break; */
case 0xFF6897:                      //ACCENDI E SPEGNI RGB LED
{
      Serial.println("0");
      luci = !luci;
      break;      
}
 
case 0xFF30CF:                     //ACCENDI E SPEGNI BUZZER
{
    Serial.println("1");
    suono = !suono;
    break;
}

case 0xFF18E7:                   //ACCENDI MOTORE PER ANDARE AVANTI 
{
  Serial.println("2");  
  digitalWrite(DIRA, LOW);
  digitalWrite(DIRB, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ENABLE, 255);

  digitalWrite(U, 255);
  digitalWrite(A, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(H, LOW); 
  break; 
}
 
 //case 0xFF7A85: Serial.println("3");    break;
  
  case 0xFF10EF:                 //MOTORI CHE GIRANO A DESTRA
  {
    Serial.println("4");       //motore sinistro 
    digitalWrite(DIRA, LOW); 
    digitalWrite(DIRB, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(ENABLE, 255);

    digitalWrite(U, 255);     //motore destro
    digitalWrite(A, LOW);
    digitalWrite(H, HIGH); 
    break;
  }

  case 0xFF38C7:                //SPEGNI MOTORI 
  {
    Serial.println("5");    
    digitalWrite(DIRA, LOW);
    digitalWrite(DIRB, LOW);

    digitalWrite(U, LOW);
    digitalWrite(A, LOW);
    break; 
  }
  case 0xFF5AA5:         //MOTORI CHE GIRANO A SINISTRA
  {
    Serial.println("6"); 
    digitalWrite(DIRA, HIGH);    //motore sinistro 
    digitalWrite(DIRB, LOW);
    digitalWrite(ENABLE, 255);

    digitalWrite(U, 255);        //motore destro 
    digitalWrite(A, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(H, LOW); 
    break;
  }
 
 //case 0xFF42BD: Serial.println("7");    break;

  case 0xFF4AB5:                    //MOTORI VANNO INDIETRO
  {
    Serial.println("8"); 
    digitalWrite(DIRA, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(DIRB, LOW);
    digitalWrite(ENABLE, 255);

    digitalWrite(U, 255);
    digitalWrite(A, LOW);
    digitalWrite(H, HIGH);
    break;
  }

  //case 0xFF52AD: Serial.println("9");    break;
 // case 0xFFFFFFFF: Serial.println(" REPEAT"); break;   

  default: 
    Serial.println(results.value, HEX);
  }
  delay(100); 
}
 
void setup(){
  pinMode(ENABLE, OUTPUT);  //MOTORE 1
  pinMode(DIRA, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DIRB, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(H, OUTPUT);     //MOTORE 2
  pinMode(U, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(A, OUTPUT);

  Serial.println("IR Receiver Button Decode"); //RICEVITORE 
  irrecv.enableIRIn();

  pinMode(RED, OUTPUT);   //RGB LED
  pinMode(BLUE, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(buzzer, OUTPUT); //BUZZER
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() 
{
  if (irrecv.decode(&results)) //se clicchi il tasto del telecomando il ricevitore fa l'azione richiesta
  {
    translateIR(); 
    irrecv.resume(); 
  }  

  if(luci == HIGH)  //quando luci=1 si accendono e lampeggiano
  {
     digitalWrite(RED, HIGH);
     digitalWrite(BLUE, LOW);
     delay(500);
     digitalWrite(RED, LOW);
     digitalWrite(BLUE, HIGH);
     delay(500); 
  }
  else if(luci == LOW)   //quando luci = 0 si spengono 
  {
     digitalWrite(RED, LOW);
     digitalWrite(BLUE, LOW);
     delay(500);
  }

  if(suono == HIGH)       // quando bazzer = 1 acceso parte la frequanza della sirena e il suo suono
  {
    for (int i = 0; i < 350; i++) {
       digitalWrite(buzzer, HIGH);
       delay(1);
       digitalWrite(buzzer, LOW);
       delay(1);
    }

    delay(50);

    for(int i = 0; i < 150; i++){
       digitalWrite(buzzer, HIGH);
       delay(1);
       digitalWrite(buzzer, LOW);
       delay(1);
    }
  }  
  else if(suono == LOW)    //quando bazzer = 0 si spegne
  {
    digitalWrite(buzzer, LOW);
  }
}

Credits

Luigi Morelli

12 projects • 5 followers

I work to contribute to the change of the key sectors of computer science and to offer reasoned syntheses and consultancy to ICT companies.

Thanks to Sara Defilippis, Silvia Magri, and Pietro Manenti.

A remote-controlled steamboat with Arduino

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Initial idea

Roles and responsibilities

Assembly

Critical issues encountered

Future extensions

Final thoughts

Schematics

Electrical scheme of the project

Code

Arduino radio-controlled steambot

Credits

Luigi Morelli

Comments

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A remote-controlled steamboat with Arduino

A remote-controlled steamboat with Arduino

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Initial idea

Roles and responsibilities

Assembly

Critical issues encountered

Future extensions

Final thoughts

Schematics

Electrical scheme of the project

Code

Arduino radio-controlled steambot

Credits

Luigi Morelli

Comments

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