Arduino project · Displays and counters · Medium
Joystick Arrow on LED Matrix
Push the joystick to the right to see a right arrow; push it up to see an up arrow.
What you will learn
- How a joystick has two axes
- How to read X and Y
- How games show direction
How it works
Each loop the matrix is cleared. Then the X axis above 70 shows the right arrow and the Y axis above 70 shows the up arrow.
Try this next
- Add left and down arrows to the sketch.
- Show the arrow only while the button is pressed.
- Control a servo with the same joystick.
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
An LED sign on a shop wall
The 8x8 LED sign shows the same picture as your matrix.
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.
- LED matrix = the sign on the wall