Hack RC Trucks with Arduino and Bluetooth

WPLC24 - Arduino Truck Build Guide

Stupid - very stupid.

This is a frankenstein project that combines two very popular diy platforms to create a fun little monster that's worth all YOUR effort.( I guess)

This is a build guide that can also be a template to hack any rc truck/buggy with an arduino.

The short version of the story is - I bought this very popular cheapo - chinese diy model- truck off banggood in 2018. The truck didn't come with any electronics and I didn't buy a controller either, so after putting it together and admiring it for two days - it gathered dust for 2 years. So instead of buying a controller, I went ahead and built my own.

Happy hacking!

Summary of Parts-

WPL C-24

Arduino UNO

HC-05 Bluetooth Module

L293D Motor Shield

11.4V 2200mAh Lipo (Up to you)

STEP 1 : TRUCK ASSEMBLY

Putting the truck together is really easy - Anyone could do it, so to keep this short i'm leaving this video I found off youtube for reference.

Just make sure you extend the servo and motor pins out to the truck bed using male to male wires for plugging them to the shield.

STEP 2 : ELECTRONICS

Took us long enough

The controls of the truck - Steering Servo and Drive motor are managed by the Arduino-shield combo which receives instructions from your phone via bluetooth to make the truck go around.

Circuit Diagram

Now at this point, you'll notice a major bummer here. The motor shield isn't prototype friendly or atleast the version i'm using.

To connect the bluetooth module and headlights we'll need to solder on some female berg strips.

NO we're not finished.

What about the tx/rx pins on the shield ? MORE SOLDERING..

After that's done just screw on the motor wires and connect the servo headers as shown in the Circuit diagram.

HERE'S WHAT MY TRUCK LOOKED LIKE AT THIS POINT.

THE APP AND CODE

The link to the app- Bluetooth Controller App

You're free to choose your own app but I like this one for it's simplicity and clean design.

Before testing out the app there's a final step. THE CODE

Copy and paste the code to your IDE and upload. (unplug the bluetooth module's vcc pin from the shield before uploading)

Don't be surprised if your steering's jarry or if the truck goes left when you wanted to go right. It's just the mapping and servo angles that you need to change to get the perfect setup for your truck.

Feel free to share your problems in the comments below.

This was a very fun project and I want you folks to DIY your own controllers for all kinds of trucks and cars. Ciao Bella