How to Build an FPV Remote-Controlled Tracked Car with Arduino

This project combines 3D printing, Arduino, and FPV (First-Person View) camera knowledge.

It is perfect for those interested in making their own RC tracked car, or just want to create using 3D printing, Arduino, and FPV.

Step 1: Material Preparation

Components needed for the RC tracked car:

• 1 x Arduino Uno
• 1 x L298N Motor Driver
• 3 x Lithium Batteries
• 2 x TT Motors
• 1 x SG90 Servo Motor
• 1 x NRF24L01 Wireless Transceiver Module with Antenna
• 1 x FPV Camera
• 2 x Toggle Switches
• 4 x M3 Phillips Head Screws
• 2 x M3 Nuts
• Lots of Jumper Wires

Components needed for the controller:

• 1 x Arduino Nano
• 1 x Mini Breadboard
• 2 x Joystick Modules for Arduino
• 2 x Rotary Potentiometers
• 1 x NRF24L01 Wireless Transceiver Module with Antenna
• 1 x Toggle Switch
• 1 x 6V AA Battery Holder
• 4 x 1.5V AA Batteries
• 4 x M3 Phillips Head Screws
• Lots of Jumper Wires

Components needed for FPV setup:

• 1 x FPV Receiver
• 1 x AV to USB Converter
• 2 x Lithium Batteries

Of course, we also need a 3D printer or find a place to 3D print. (This should not be difficult for us)

Other tools that may be needed: soldering iron, zip ties, pliers, and screwdriver.

Step 2: 3D Print the Parts

List of parts to print for the tracked car:

• 1 x Top Chassis
• 1 x Chassis
• 1 x Radio Cover
• 1 x Top FPV Shell
• 1 x FPV Bottom Shell
• 2 x Tracks or Treads (Flat)
• 2 x Drive Gears
• 2 x Chain Gears
• 4 x Rollers

List of parts to print for the controller:

• 1 x RC Controller Shell
• 1 x RC Controller Base
• 2 x Potentiometer Covers

It is important to note that when printing the FPV box, ABS material must be used, do not use PLA, as the FPV camera will get hot when turned on, hot enough to warp PLA, while ABS has a higher heat distortion temperature.

Other parts can be printed with PLA.

When printing the tracks, ensure the part direction is correct, with the hinge surface facing up (see above), and print without support.

After the parts are printed and removed from the 3D printer, apply some force to loosen the hinges.

If you encounter issues while printing the tracks, you can also download the author’s STL files at the end of the article.

Each track has 20 links, so design it well and print it out at once.

Do not attempt to print individual links and assemble them, as this will cause the car to malfunction.

We can adjust it in CAD software like Fusion360 and then print it out.

The top and bottom of the RC controller can be printed at a 45-degree angle (see above).

Both need to add support structures. Additionally, the top and bottom chassis also need to add support structures.

Other printed parts do not require additional support structures as long as the positions are correct.

All STL files for the project can be downloaded in a package at the end of the article.

Step 3: Making the Controller

This section is a step-by-step guide to assembling and connecting the controller. This is just a guide, and you can switch the assembly order as needed.

After making the controller, you may realize that the potentiometer is not utilized.

This is because I used the same controller in the RC airship project. If you know how to program this controller, it can be used for your future RC projects, making it very versatile.

Upload the code to the Arduino IDE, and remember to download the RF24 library to use the NRF24L01 radio module: https://github.com/nRF24/RF24

Step 4: Assemble the Tracked Car

This section is a step-by-step guide to assembling the tracked car.

This is just a guide, and you can switch the assembly order as needed.

The code can be referenced at the end of the article.

Step 5: FPV Setup

As described in the video, there is a lot to do for the FPV setup. You can use FPV goggles, an FPV monitor, or get a receiver and connect it to your phone or computer.

I used a receiver and connected it to my laptop.

This is cost-effective, and I can record FPV footage in OBS.

OBS link: https://obsproject.com/

Step 6: Completion

Here we have completed the construction of a small exploration remote-controlled rover, let’s go to the park and take it for a spin!