Microcontroller Experiments
The Challenge & Process
Learning how to read physical signals (like distance, light, or temperature) and translate them into mechanical motion or digital data streams. I built and programmed multiple standalone Arduino circuits: an ultrasonic distance-sensing alert, a servo-guided robotic claw, and an LCD temperature logger. Each project involved writing clean, non-blocking C++ code in the Arduino IDE.
The Iteration Story: Steering Wheel V1 vs. V2
V1: I built a basic steering wheel using a potentiometer and the Unojoy firmware to map rotation and custom buttons to controller axes. While functional, it was limited to 180° rotation and had very few buttons for input.
V2 & Shifter: Recognizing the limitations of my first prototype, I undertook a ground-up redesign. The V2 wheel features a >270° rotation potentiometer, custom switch joycon wiring for button inputs, a multi-gear shifter assembly, and a much cleaner wire harness for the pedal set.
Circuitry & Code: I wrote non-blocking C++ code in the Arduino IDE to handle analog-to-digital signal conversion and HID game controller emulation. This project is a stellar example of iterative design—taking a working prototype, analyzing its flaws, and rebuilding it better from scratch.
Skills Demonstrated
Gallery
