Project · draft
Wi-Fi Obstacle-Avoiding Mini Rover (Laser-Cut Chassis)
- intermediate
- 8-12 hours
Draft and unofficial, not affiliated with Fab Academy. Check prices, GST and parts before you buy.
Summary
Two-wheel + caster rover on a 3 mm MDF/acrylic chassis. ESP32 serves a phone-friendly control page (drive / auto-avoid) and uses a servo-mounted HC-SR04 to look left/right before turning.
What it teaches
Design a parametric laser-cut chassis around N20 motors, drive them with a DRV8833 H-bridge using PWM, add an ultrasonic scan head, handle a 2S battery with a 5V buck converter, and add a Wi-Fi web UI for manual/auto modes.
Topics it touches, in Fab Academy-style terms:
- Mechanical design
- Computer-controlled cutting
- Output devices
- Input devices
- Embedded programming
- Networking and communications
- Machine design (intro)
Safety notes
- 2x18650 in series = 7.4V (up to 8.4V charged). N20 6V motors: cap PWM duty at about 70-75% in firmware.
- Set the MP1584 buck output to 5.0V with a multimeter BEFORE connecting the ESP32.
- Charge cells outside the holder in a proper 18650 charger; use protected cells and never leave charging unattended.
Parts list
Parts cost
₹1,848required parts, GST-inclusive as listed
- Optional extras
- ₹36 plus unpriced items
- GST
- GST unverified, typically 18% If 18% applies, about ₹281.90 of the required total would be GST. This is an estimate, not a tax figure.
- Prices read
- 24 Oct 2026
- Not included
- Shipping, tools, consumables, and anything marked price not available. Stock and prices change.
Not priced: MDF or plywood sheet, 3 mm (laser-cut parts) (optional; often available from a Fab Lab or local shop).
| Part | Qty | Unit | Price, GST-incl. as listed | Line total | GST | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32 NodeMCU 30-Pin WiFi Bluetooth Development Board CP2102esp32-devkit-30pin | 1 | pcs | ₹425 | ₹425 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 6V N20 600 RPM Miniature Gear Motormotor-n20-6v-600rpm | 2 | pcs | ₹229 | ₹458 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 32mm Mini Car N20 Motor Rubber Small Wheelwheel-n20-32mm | 2 | pcs | ₹32 | ₹64 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| N20 Vacuum Steel Ball Universal Omnidirectional Caster Wheelcaster-ball-n20 | 1 | pcs | ₹45 | ₹45 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| DRV8833 2 Channel DC Motor Driverdriver-drv8833 | 1 | pcs | ₹72 | ₹72 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Distance Sensor Modulesensor-hc-sr045V from buck; echo line divided to 3.3V | 1 | pcs | ₹75 | ₹75 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor Holderbracket-hc-sr04 | 1 | pcs | ₹24 | ₹24 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| TowerPro SG90 9G Micro Servo Motor 180° for Arduino & Roboticsservo-sg90Scan head | 1 | pcs | ₹98 | ₹98 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 18650 2200mAh 3.7v Cylinder Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery (Any Colour)battery-18650-2200mahBuy protected cells where possible | 2 | pcs | ₹137 | ₹274 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 18650 Dual Battery Holder with Cover and On/Off Switchholder-18650-2cell-switch | 1 | pcs | ₹43 | ₹43 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Universal Dual Slot 3.7V Li-ion Battery Charger for 18650 Batteriescharger-18650-dualReusable across projects | 1 | pcs | ₹131 | ₹131 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| MP1584EN Mini LM2596 ultra-small DC-DC step-downbuck-mp1584 | 1 | pcs | ₹50 | ₹50 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 1k Ohm Resistor - (Pack of 10)resistor-1k-x10Pack: pack of 10 | 1 | set | ₹12 | ₹12 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 170 Points Mini Breadboardbreadboard-mini-170 | 1 | pcs | ₹18 | ₹18 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Male to Female Jumper Wires (20cm) (20pcs)jumpers-f2m-20cm-20Pack: pack of 20 male-female 20cm | 1 | set | ₹28 | ₹28 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Male to Male Jumper Wires (20cm) (20pcs)jumpers-m2m-20cm-20Pack: pack of 20 male-male 20cm | 1 | set | ₹31 | ₹31 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Required total, GST-inclusive as listed | ₹1,848 | |||||
| Part | Qty | Unit | Price, GST-incl. as listed | Line total | GST | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF or plywood sheet, 3 mm (laser-cut parts)mdf-3mm-sheetChassis ~250x200 mm; Fab Lab stock; price not found | 1 | sheet | price not available | price not available | GST unverified, typically 18% | no source; checked 24 Oct 2026 |
| USB A Type to Micro USB B Type 1M Cable (Colour may vary)cable-usb-micro-1mFor flashing | 1 | pcs | ₹36 | ₹36 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Optional total, GST-inclusive as listed (excludes 1 part with no price) | ₹36 | |||||
The Part column links to the shared catalogue. Units are pcs, m, g, sheet or set, and a "set" is the seller's pack, as noted per part.
Tools you will need
- Laser cutter
- Soldering iron
- Multimeter
- Laptop with Arduino IDE/PlatformIO
Build notes
Step-by-step build notes have not been written yet for this draft. The summary, the topics above and the parts list are what exists so far.
How to buy
There is no online checkout. To buy or import these parts, email info@curiosta.com and say what you need. The button opens your own email app with a draft; nothing is sent until you send it.
Prices on this site are third-party seller listings, not a Curiosta quote. Ask by email for availability, price and GST.