Question 1. The Pico WH in my robot turns off when I disconnect the robot from the computer.

Solution. When connecting the Robot via USB for any coding task, remove the batteries first. If the Pico WH turns off after disconnecting the robot from USB, check the red and black power wires as shown in the circuit diagram. They should be connected securely.

Question 2. What is the difference between the Pico and the Pico W?

Solution. The Pico WH has the wireless module on the board and it is the metallic square structure that you can see on the board. It also has pins soldered to the board, so you can use the breadboard to assemble the robot. The normal Pico does not have this metallic square on the board & cannot be used for wireless. Please ensure you get the Pico WH for this robot build.

Question 3. Can I control the robot from my smartphone?

Solution.  Yes, after connecting to the Pico WH Wi-Fi hotspot, you can control the robot from a smartphone.

Question 4. What happens if the robot loses Wi-Fi connection?

Solution.  If the Pico WH robot loses connection to the mobile phone, just reboot the phone, start the hotspot and then restart the robot.

Question 5. How do I power the Pico WH robot?

Solution. The Pico WH bot and motors can be powered by two or three 18650 Lithium-ion batteries.

Question 6. Can I add sensors to the Pico WH robot?

Solution.  Yes, you can add various sensors like ultrasonic sensors to the robot to make it avoid obstacles. The code will have to be updated for this functionality.

Question 7. How far can I control the Pico WH robot?

Solution.  It should work fine in a range of 10 to 30 meters depending on the battery power remaining.

Q1: What is the ESP8266 used for in the bot?

A: The ESP8266 allows the bot to connect to you bot's Wi-Fi network, making it possible to control the bot wirelessly from your smartphone or computer.

Q2: How do I connect the bot to my Wi-Fi network?

A: You’ll need to search for your bot's name in the available WiFi list and connect. Once connected, the bot can be controlled remotely.

Q3: Can I control the bot from my smartphone?

A: Yes, after connecting to the ESP8266 Wi-Fi, you can control the bot from a smartphone.

Q4: What happens if the bot loses Wi-Fi connection?

A: If the ESP8266 loses connection to the Wi-Fi network, the bot will stop responding to remote commands until it reconnects.

Q5: How do I power the ESP8266 bot?

A: The ESP8266 and motors can be powered by a 3*18650 11.1v battery pack. Make sure to provide a stable power supply that matches the voltage requirements of both the ESP8266 and the motors.

Q6: Can I add sensors to the ESP bot?

A: Yes, you can add various sensors like distance sensors or light sensors to the bot, and the ESP8266 can process the data to help control the bot’s movement.

Q7: How far can I control the ESP bot?

A: The control range depends on the Wi-Fi network’s range. You can control the bot as long as it stays within the coverage area of your Wi-Fi.

Q: How do I connect the HC-05 Bluetooth module to the Arduino Uno?

A: Connect the VCC and GND of the HC-05 to 5V and GND on the Arduino. RX should connect to TX, and TX to RX.

Q: How do I wire the L298N motor driver to control motors?

A: Connect the motor terminals to the OUT1 and OUT2 (for one motor) and OUT3 and OUT4 (for a second motor) of the L298N.

Q: What power supply should I use for the Arduino and motors?

A: Use a 7-12V external power supply for the Arduino Uno, and a separate power supply for the motors if needed.

Q: How do I control motor speed with the L298N?

A: Use PWM pins on the Arduino connected to the ENA or ENB pins on the L298N to adjust motor speed.

Q: How do I pair the HC-05 Bluetooth module with my smartphone or computer?

A: First, power on the HC-05 module, then search for Bluetooth devices on your smartphone or computer. Look for “HC-05” in the list of available devices and enter the default pairing code, which is usually “1234” or “0000”.

Q: Why isn’t my HC-05 module connecting to my smartphone?

A: Make sure the module is in pairing mode (the LED should be blinking). If it isn’t, reset the module or check the wiring. Also, verify that the module isn’t already paired to another device.

Q: Can I control more than two motors with the L298N motor driver?

A: The L298N motor driver can control up to two DC motors simultaneously. If you need to control more motors, you’ll need additional motor drivers.

Q: How can I reverse the motor direction using the L298N?

A: To reverse the direction, toggle the logic inputs (IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4) connected to the Arduino. For example, if IN1 is HIGH and IN2 is LOW, the motor will rotate in one direction. Switching IN1 to LOW and IN2 to HIGH will reverse the direction.

Q: Why aren’t my motors spinning when powered?

A: Double-check your wiring to ensure the motors are connected properly to the L298N. Also, ensure that the Arduino is sending the correct logic signals to the motor driver, and the motor driver is receiving adequate power.

Q: How do I know if the L298N motor driver is overheating?

A: The L298N has built-in heat sinks to dissipate heat. However, if the motor driver is running hot, it may reduce motor performance. Make sure you’re not overloading the motor driver by exceeding its current limits.

Question. How does the walky robot move?

Solution. The walky robot moves using the rotations of the dual shaft of the BO motor thats converted into a reciprocating motion using a cam like arrangement. 

Question. How long does the battery last?

Solution. The battery life is around 1 hour of continuous motion if using a 18650v single cell Lithium Ion battery.