Arduino project · Motors and movement · Medium
Follow-Me Robot Car
The car follows an object in front of it. It drives forward when the object is further than 25 cm, stops when it is near, and also stops if it is lost (more than 80 cm).
What you will learn
- How a follow-me robot keeps its distance
- How to set a window of distances
- How robot trolleys follow people
How it works
The car is stopped first. If the distance is more than 25 cm it moves forward. If the distance is more than 80 cm the object is lost and the car stops again.
Try this next
- Add an extra sensor so it can turn left and right.
- Add a buzzer when the object is lost.
- Add a speed ramp.
The simulator program and explanation on this page are original. The idea follows a classic Arduino project that students have built for years.
Parts: sensors and actuators (tap to show or hide)
Try the inputs (virtual sensors)
Pins (you can change them)
| Part | Arduino pin (change it here) | How to wire it |
|---|
Every wire, one by one
Red rail = 5 V from the Arduino 5V pin. Black rail = GND. The coloured wires carry signals. Match the wire colours on the drawing to this list.
| # | Colour | From (part and leg) | To |
|---|
Steps run from top to bottom, then start again. While the simulation runs, the active step is highlighted in green.
Quantities come from the parts you added. The store links open a search for that item on Robu.in, Amazon.in and ThinkRobotics, so you always see what is in stock today. Check the model, voltage and price before you order.
| # | Item | Qty | Search term | Buy / compare |
|---|
The PDF has the circuit sketch, pin table, every wire, sequence, full code, the parts list with store links, do’s and don’ts for each part, and the safety notes. The project file lets you come back and keep editing.
In the real world
A robot in a warehouse
The sensor sees the crates and the robot steers around them.
Tip: use the gold tab at the bottom of the circuit drawing to pull the real-world view up over the Arduino board. Your parts stay visible above it, so you can press a button and watch the real scene react.
- Sensors = what the robot sees
- Car = the robot driving