KevsRobots Learning Platform

Building a Robot Arm with Raspberry Pi and PCA9685

8% Percent Complete

Getting Started with Raspberry Pi and Python

Understanding the PCA9685 Servo Driver

Building the Robot Arm

Programming the Robot Arm

Project Challenges and Ideas

Introduction

Kickstart your journey into robotics by learning about the components, tools, and skills you will acquire in this course.

By Kevin McAleer,    2 Minutes


Robot Arm Course Cover Image

Welcome to the Course

In this comprehensive course, you’ll embark on an exciting journey to build and program a robot arm using the Raspberry Pi, the PCA9685 servo driver board, and Python. Whether you’re a beginner in robotics or looking to expand your skill set, this course is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in robotics engineering and programming.


Course Overview

We’ll start with the basics, setting up your Raspberry Pi and getting familiar with Python programming. From there, you’ll learn about the PCA9685 board—a versatile servo driver that allows for precise control over multiple servos simultaneously.

As we progress, you’ll dive into the mechanical design and assembly of a 4-servo robot arm. You’ll gain hands-on experience in constructing a functional robot arm, from choosing the right materials to assembling the servos and connecting them to the PCA9685 board.


What You Will Learn

  • Raspberry Pi Setup: Configuring your Raspberry Pi for robotics projects.
  • Python for Robotics: Programming basics with a focus on controlling hardware.
  • PCA9685 Servo Driver: Understanding and using the PCA9685 board for servo control.
  • Robot Arm Construction: Designing and assembling a robot arm.
  • Servo Control: Programming your robot arm to move with precision.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the components and electronics involved in building a robot arm.
  • Program a Raspberry Pi to control servos using Python.
  • Design and assemble a simple robot arm using 4 servos.
  • Apply your knowledge to create custom movements and tasks for your robot arm.

We’re excited to have you on this journey. Let’s start building!


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