Build a ROS2 Differential Drive Robot with Encoders and Waypoint Navigation – Pi 4 Kit

Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.

Assemble a real differential drive robot with DC motor encoders and an IMU, then bring it to life with ROS2 Humble. You'll code nodes that publish twist messages for velocity control, compute odometry from encoder ticks, and visualise the robot's pose in rviz2 — the essential stack for any modern robotics engineer. This kit is built for students and enthusiasts who want to stop simulating and start navigating in the physical world.

What You'll Build

A ROS2‑enabled differential drive robot that responds to teleoperation twist commands, tracks its position accurately through encoder‑based odometry, and executes a basic waypoint navigation routine. The MPU6050 IMU supplements the odometry for orientation, and the entire robot state can be viewed in real time on rviz2. By the end, you'll have a platform that can be extended for SLAM, autonomous exploration, or pick‑and‑place tasks.

What You'll Learn

• Write ROS2 nodes in Python to publish and subscribe to Twist messages for precise velocity control
• Compute wheel odometry from encoder pulses and integrate it with the MPU6050 for robust localisation
• Configure and run rviz2 to visualise odometry, IMU data, and robot footprint in a 3D environment
• Implement a waypoint‑navigation stack using ROS2 navigation concepts, from goal setting to trajectory command execution

Kit Contents

Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately

Who This Kit Is For

Designed for CBSE Class 11‑12 students diving into robotics, B.Tech ECE/EEE undergraduates building ROS2 projects, Smart India Hackathon teams prototyping autonomous ground vehicles, and ATL Tinkering Labs moving to an intermediate robotics platform. It also fits IIT/NIT/VIT/BITS coursework on embedded systems and autonomous navigation.

Built and Backed by Compoden

Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.