Making a Remote Control

A remote control is often essential to most robotics projects, adding a layer of complexity and creativity. A remote control allows you to practically use your robotics projects.

Components

What you need:

A Microcontroller (preferably an Arduino Nano)
A HC-05 Bluetooth chip
A breadboard
A 9V battery
Joystick(s)
Jumper wires

General Steps to follow when making your first remote control

Disconnect the two Arduinos from all other components.
1. This step is temporary. It simply makes it easier to set up the communication when the two microcontrollers are isolated.
Setup up serial communication between your two Arduinos first.
1. Serial communication involves sending data between the Arduinos with jumper wires.
2. Once serial communication works, you can start implementing wireless communication as the code is very similar.
Use 2 HC-05 Bluetooth modules.
1. Follow the tutorial: (enter my own code) to the letter
Once your Bluetooth communication is working, integrate the receiving Arduino with the rest of its components

Guidelines / Tips to making your first remote control

Use 2 Arduinos
1. I strongly recommend using an Arduino for your project and another Arduino for the remote control.
2. Setting up Arduino to Arduino communication has been done many times, there are many tutorials online and it is very straightforward.
Use a Bluetooth and not Radio
1. I found that when making the remote controller, it was easier to implement Bluetooth using two HC-05 chips over using radio technology with 2 NRF24L01 chips.
2. Using a chip like a ESP32 may even allow you to use your phone to directly control the car, as those chips have Bluetooth built-in
3. Bluetooth also has a greater range and a more reliable and faster connection
Copy the code from the tutorials
1. Although it may feel like cheating, it most certainly is not. Wireless communication is very complicated to code from scratch, and also it is a lot easier than figuring out the code from documentation.
Make sure you use a smaller breadboard and more compact wires
1. Using a smaller breadboard is optimal as there are often fewer components and fewer wires, making it convenient to use a smaller size.
  – It is also more aesthetically pleasing and easier to practically hold and use.
Use a smaller microcontroller
1. I recommend using an Arduino Nano (in picture) or an ESP32 as they have very small form factors and are also very easy to use.
  – Setting up Arduino to Arduino wireless communication is very straightforward, and by using an Arduino Nano, your remote can be used for any other projects which use an Arduino.