DFRobot - 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform Review

Introduction

We initially looked into the DFRobot 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform because of its low cost and feature set. Ultimately we chose another product instead. However, after doing an extensive review of this product we realized that we made the wrong choice!

Once we received the DF Robot 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform we quickly opened up and began the review process. What we noticed right away when we opened the the kit that it had NO INSTRUCTIONS. We were a bit thrown back because every kit we have ever used came with instructions. Needless to say - we found that the reason why was because the the kit was so straight forward one could do without them.

Yet another thing we noticed is how much this platform resembled another platform we have worked on (Lynxmotion). The kit is comes with solid components and is easy to put together.

Overview

The DFRobot 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform provides a 4 wheel drive system complete with 4 DC Motors. The DC Motors are not your typical robotic actuators. Rather, they are basic DC motors that can be picked up at your local Radio Shack for a few bucks a pop!

DFRobot 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform Features

• 4WD Arduino mobile robot development platform
• 4 high-quality micro-speed motor
• Electrical supply voltage: 3 ~ 12V
• Complete chassis with mounting hardware
• Variety of sensors can be added

DFRobot 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform Specification

• 4WD Mobile platform Motors: 3-12V DC
• Speed: 90cm/s
• Dimensions: 200mm x 170mm x 105mm

DFRobot 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform Motor Specification

• Gear Ratio 1:120
• No-load speed(3V):100RPM
• No-load speed(6V):200RPM
• No-load current(3V):60mA
• No-load current(6V):71mA
• Stall current(3V):260mA
• Stall current(6V):470mA
• Torgue (3V): 1.2Kgcm
• Torque (6V): 1.92Kgcm
• Size: 55mm x 48.3mm x 23mm
• Weight:45g

Quick Review

Our aim here is to talk about the high level view of this robot kit. We have created a video that quickly gets you up to speed with the robot kit and makes everything clear.
We are uploading our videos as we speak

Assembly and Construction

To make this part as easy and straight forward as possible we have recorded a multi-part step by step video of how to assembly and work with the DFRobot 4WD Arduino Mobile Platform.

The Kit

Support

We gave DFRobot a 4 for support. One of the main reasons is because we have never needed any with their products. Imagine that. A product that does not require support. We would have given them a 5 but we did not have the instructions included in the kit. Even though the kit was easy to build - we think it would have been a good idea to have the assembly instructions included. More specifically when it came time to wire up the unit to the DFRobot Arduino Romeo microcontroller. It was straight forward for us to assembly - but may not be to the typical consumer.

Conclusion

Overall this is a great kit to get started with. This kit can be used by beginners to advanced users. We truly thought the quality of the construction of the kit was superb. Especially for the price. You just can't beat it! We have yet to find any other robotic platform on the market that is as good and broad as this one for the money.

There are some some snags along the way you may encounter. Here is just a few of the "snafoos" we found:

• Missing Assembly Guide
• Wiring the DC Motors
• Wiring the DC Motors to the DFRobot Arduino Romeo
• Mounting the DFRobot Arduino Romeo to the chassis

Thats about it. We recommend this kit as a good all around kit to be used indoors only.

Where to buy?

DIYbin.com
DFRobot
Yerobot