Control Panel

Robotic-Hand-Image
Axis 1
90
0° - 180°
Axis 2
90
0° - 180°
Axis 3
90
0° - 180°
Axis 4
90
0° - 180°

About Project

🤖 Robotic Arm Control System

This project demonstrates a custom-built 4-axis robotic arm, designed and developed from scratch using affordable and recycled materials. The system is powered by our own microcontroller with a custom PCB and integrates web-based remote control, allowing real-time motion control from anywhere in the world. The robotic arm supports both manual and pre-programmed functions, making it suitable for a variety of educational, research, and automation applications. With intuitive frontend controls, built-in display navigation, and secure backend communication using Django, this system showcases an end-to-end IoT + robotics solution. Applications include learning platforms, light automation tasks, basic pick-and-place operations, and remote demonstration tools.

Our Own Microcontroller Custom PCB Designs

At the heart of our robotic arm lies a custom-designed microcontroller PCB, engineered specifically for robotics applications. This board is not just a controller — it's a compact powerhouse designed to provide precise, reliable, and flexible control over every movement of the arm.

Key Features:

  • Built-in OLED Display (I2C): 0.96" screen to monitor real-time data, angles, or system status directly.
  • 18 Versatile Pins:
    • 7 GPIOs for input/output control
    • I2C and SPI interfaces
    • 5V and 3.3V regulated output
    • Ground pins for flexible circuit connections
    • Dedicated SPI pins , MISO,MOSI,CSO,CLK
  • 3 Built-in Control Buttons: Easy access for manual control or configuration tasks.
  • USB Type-C Power Input: Modern and robust, compatible with common USB-C cables.

This board not only simplifies the wiring and reduces clutter, but also enhances performance and modularity for robotic applications. It acts as the brain of our robotic arm, enabling both manual and remote control with ease.

Materials Used & Design Overview

Our robotic arm is built using accessible and recycled materials, showcasing not just technical innovation, but also sustainable design choices.

  • Acrylic Sheet: Used for the structural components of the arm due to its strength, durability, and aesthetic finish.
  • Recycled PVC Pipe: Repurposed to serve as the joints and connectors, providing a lightweight yet robust framework.
  • Cardboard Platform: A simple yet effective base structure that supports the arm securely during operation.
  • Power Supply: An old mobile charger has been repurposed as a reliable 5V power source for the entire system.

4-Axis Robotic Arm Mechanism

The robotic arm is designed with 4 degrees of freedom, powered by 4 SG90 servo motors. These lightweight and cost-effective motors allow smooth movement across four independent axes, enabling complex actions such as lifting, rotating, and tilting.

This setup demonstrates precise control and movement, all coordinated through our custom-built PCB and a user-friendly web interface.

Programming & Functionality

The robotic arm system is powered by a combination of hardware-level programming, modern web technologies, and backend integration to offer real-time control and automation.

Microcontroller Programming

  • Languages Used: C / C++
  • Libraries: Servo.h, WiFi.h, HTTPServer.h, OLED.h
  • The custom microcontroller features a menu system navigated using 3 buttons: Select, Up, and Down. Functions include:
    • Robot Calibration / Testing
    • Connection Status Check
    • Pre-Programmed Motions

Web Interface

  • Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript
  • Control Panel Features:
    • Real-time control of 4 motor axes (0°–180°)
    • Connectivity Test Button
    • Trigger Pre-Defined Robotic Motions
    • Global Access via Internet

Backend Integration

The backend is built with Python using Django. It handles secure API endpoints for receiving commands from the web interface. Here's how the interaction works:

  • User clicks a button on the control panel
  • Frontend sends a secure HTTP request with authentication cookies
  • Backend verifies the user and forwards the command to the robotic arm
  • Robot executes the motion or action in real time

This fully integrated system allows users to operate the robotic arm from any location, ensuring flexibility, security, and ease of access.