ROS Compatible Differential Drive Robot
ROS Compatible Differential Drive Robot Kit for SLAM with Rosserial
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
Build an autonomous mobile robot that maps its environment and navigates in real time. This kit combines an Arduino Mega with encoders, an MPU6050 IMU, and ultrasonic sensors, then pipes odometry data to a Raspberry Pi (not included) running ROS Noetic via rosserial for SLAM and path planning. Perfect for college robotics projects, hackathons, and learning the software stack used in industrial autonomous vehicles.
What You'll Build
Your finished robot is a fully functional differential drive platform with ROS-powered SLAM. It will autonomously explore a room, build a 2D occupancy grid using ultrasound scan data, and navigate to commanded waypoints. The Arduino Mega counts encoder pulses for wheel odometry, fuses that with MPU6050 orientation, and publishes /odom to the ROS network—the exact data pipeline used by slam_gmapping and the navigation stack.
What You'll Learn
- Setting up ROS Noetic and rosserial communication between Arduino Mega and Raspberry Pi
- Reading LM393 encoder pulses and fusing wheel odometry with MPU6050 IMU data for robust pose estimation
- Integrating HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors for real-time obstacle avoidance and map building
- Tuning PWM speed control on the L298N motor driver for smooth differential drive motion
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arduino Mega 2560 | 1 |
| LM393 Encoder | 2 |
| L298N Motor Driver | 1 |
| DC Geared Motor 12V | 2 |
| Castor Wheel | 1 |
| MPU6050 | 1 |
| HC-SR04 | 2 |
| LM2596 Buck Converter | 1 |
| 12V 5Ah SLA Battery | 1 |
| 10kΩ Resistors | 10 |
| 4.7kΩ Resistors | 5 |
| 100nF Caps | 10 |
| 1N4007 Diode | 10 |
| PCB Prototype Board | 2 |
| M3 Standoffs 30mm | 8 |
| Soldering Iron | 1 |
| Solder Wire | 1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
This kit is designed for final-year B.Tech/M.Tech students in ECE, EEE, or CSE who need a ROS-ready robot base for their major project or thesis. It's also ideal for Smart India Hackathon teams tackling autonomous navigation or healthcare robotics tracks, and for robotics clubs at IITs, NITs, VIT, BITS, and other engineering colleges across India. If you've outgrown beginner Arduino bots and want to learn the professional ROS stack, this is your hardware.
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.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Simply scan the QR code on the box to launch the AI companion, which has step-by-step guidance, circuit diagrams, and code snippets for this exact kit. You can also message us on WhatsApp for human assistance within 12 hours.
Does the kit include a Raspberry Pi?
No, you need to supply your own Raspberry Pi (3B+ or 4 recommended) with an SD card loaded with ROS Noetic. The kit provides all the electronics to connect it to the Arduino Mega and sensors.
Can I use this kit with ROS2 instead of ROS Noetic?
Yes, the hardware is the same. The rosserial protocol works with ROS2 with the rosserial_arduino package. The AI build companion includes notes for ROS2 Foxy users, though the primary documentation targets ROS Noetic.
What additional sensor can I add for better SLAM?
You can easily wire an RPLidar A1 or YDLIDAR X4 to the Raspberry Pi’s USB port and replace the ultrasound-based mapping with laser scan data—the robot’s chassis and ROS stack are ready for that upgrade.
Arduino Mega publishes encoder odometry over rosserial to a Raspberry Pi running ROS Noetic for SLAM navigation.
What's in this kit
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit — 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items