S ScienceFairProjects.info
Medium⏱ time2.5 hr$ cost24

IR Remote-Controlled Car

Reuse an old TV remote to drive a robot car using infrared signals.

Start building ↓
fig — working model Result first

The build

Step 01

Wire the receiver

Connect an IR receiver to the Arduino.

Step 02

Decode buttons

Read and record each remote button's code.

Step 03

Map to motion

Link buttons to forward, turn and stop.

Step 04

Drive

Point the remote and steer the car.

Working Principle

The remote sends a unique infrared code for each button; the receiver decodes it and the Arduino runs the matching drive command.

The science behind it

A closer look

IR remotes blink coded pulses of invisible light; pairing each code to an action turns any remote into a controller.

Take it further

Variables to test

  • 1 Add a speed-up button.
  • 2 How far away does the IR link still work?
← Previous
RFID Access Gate
Next →
Obstacle-Avoiding Robot
↑ Back to all Robotics models

More Robotics

fig — working model Robotics

Obstacle-Avoiding Robot

An Arduino car reads distance with ultrasonic sound and steers itself away from walls.

Hard⏱3 hr$28
fig — working model Robotics

Line-Following Robot

Infrared sensors keep a small robot glued to a black track as it races a loop.

Hard⏱3 hr$26
fig — working model Robotics

Bristlebot

A toothbrush head, a coin motor and a battery make a buzzing bug that scurries across the table.

Easy⏱20 min$5