Robotics, IoT and Hardware · Robotics
Make an obstacle-avoiding robot
Build a robot that drives on its own and turns away from obstacles using an ultrasonic sensor.
- DifficultyIntermediate
- Estimated time1–2 weeks
- Budget₹1,000–₹2,500
- ClassClass 8–12
- Team2–3 people
- You needArduino required
Prerequisites: None beyond your class work
Original · by TechnifyedArduino ProjectRobotics ProjectHardwareWell documented
Overview
Build a robot that drives on its own and turns away from obstacles using an ultrasonic sensor.
Why build this?
It moves on its own and makes decisions, which is what people mean by a robot.
What you will learn
- How an ultrasonic sensor measures distance
- How to turn a reading into a decision
- How to test in a real room
Skills you will use
Safety
- Use only batteries or a low-voltage supply (12 V or less). Never connect a project to a wall socket.
Materials and tools
- Arduino Uno
- Ultrasonic sensor
- Servo motor
- Motor driver
- Two motors and chassis
- Battery pack
Tools and software
Step-by-step roadmap
Start
You will finish with: a robot that roams a room without collisions, with a video.
- 1
Prerequisites
Nothing special to know first. Then collect the 6 items in the materials list.
- 2
Learn
- How an ultrasonic sensor measures distance
- How to turn a reading into a decision
- How to test in a real room
- 3
Plan
Sketch the design, list every part with its price and decide how you will know it works.
- 4
Build
- Assemble the chassis and test the motors.
- Measure distance with the ultrasonic sensor and print it.
- Drive forward until an object is closer than 20 cm.
- Stop, look left and right with the servo and turn towards the clearer side.
- Test in a room with several obstacles.
- 5
Test
Run it ten times in a row. Note every failure, fix the cause and test again.
- 6
Document
Photograph each build stage, keep the circuit or drawing, and note what failed and how you fixed it. Report structure
- 7
Present
Demonstrate it working first, then explain how it works and what you would improve. Presentation structure · Viva questions
- 8
Publish
Share a short video, the parts list and the drawing or code so someone else can build it.
Expected outcome
A robot that roams a room without collisions, with a video.
Other versions of this project
Beginner version
Stop the robot when something is closer than 20 cm.
Advanced version
Map the distances it measures and plot a rough floor plan.
Make this project better
- BasicStop the robot when something is closer than 20 cm.
- This projectMake an obstacle-avoiding robot
- AdvancedMap the distances it measures and plot a rough floor plan.
Hackathon mode
Text marked "You write this" is a prompt for your own work; everything else is specific to this project.
- Problem
- Build a robot that drives on its own and turns away from obstacles using an ultrasonic sensor.
- Target user
- You write thisOne specific person: who they are and when they would use this.
- Solution
- Build a robot that drives on its own and turns away from obstacles using an ultrasonic sensor.
- First version (MVP)
- Stop the robot when something is closer than 20 cm.
- Tech stack
- Arduino
- Architecture
- You write thisA quick sketch of the parts and how they connect.
- Demo
- You write thisThe one scenario you will show live, start to finish, in under two minutes.
- Stretch goals
- Map the distances it measures and plot a rough floor plan.
Team roles
Plan by length
24-hour
- Hours 0–2: agree the problem, the user and the one thing the demo must show
- Hours 2–16: build only the first version
- Hours 16–20: test the demo path end to end and fix what breaks
- Hours 20–24: slides, a 2-minute demo script and a backup recording
48-hour
- Evening 1: problem, user, sketch and task split
- Day 1: first version working end to end
- Day 2 morning: one stretch goal and testing
- Day 2 afternoon: polish, slides and demo practice
1-week
- Day 1: research the problem and talk to two possible users
- Days 2–4: first version
- Day 5: stretch goals
- Day 6: testing and write-up
- Day 7: demo video and presentation
Working as a team
2–3 people. Suggested roles:
Report and presentation
Report structure
- Title and aim
- The problem it solves
- How it works (principle)
- Parts list with cost
- Design: drawing, circuit or block diagram
- Build steps
- Testing and results
- Problems faced and fixes
- Limitations
- Future improvements
- References
Presentation structure
- The problem
- The idea
- How it works (one diagram)
- Parts and cost
- The build (photos)
- Live demo or video
- Test results
- What did not work
- Next version
Viva questions
Try answering before you open each one.
How does the sensor measure distance?
It times an ultrasound pulse to the object and back.
Why look left and right before turning?
To choose the side with more free space.
What can it fail to detect?
Soft, thin or angled surfaces that reflect sound poorly.
Resources
Source and attribution
Original
Written by Technifyed. Free to use for your own school or college project; write the report in your own words. Added 1 Oct 2026.
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