TeleArm: Teleoperated Robotic Arm with PS3 Controller and ESP32

2022, the Robotics Team brings together over 10 passionate students from USTHB in Algeria. Our mission is to push the limits of robotics technology through innovation, creativity, and collaboration, making groundbreaking strides in the field. We are committed to designing and building cutting-edge robotic systems for both academic and real-world applications. Our team consists of students from diverse backgrounds, including engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering, all united by a shared passion for advancing robotics.

Our commitment to excellence in robotics extends beyond the borders of Switzerland. In 2022, we had the privilege of partnering with over 30 students in Algeria, where we collaborated on a joint robotics initiative. This expansion was a significant step towards fostering international cooperation and sharing our knowledge and expertise with other emerging robotics teams. The Algerian team brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table, and together, we tackled complex challenges, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in robotics.

Teleoperation with PS3 Controller

The Telebot is designed to be easily controlled using a PS3 controller, making it user-friendly for both experienced and beginner operators. The controller communicates with the robot via Bluetooth, providing real-time control over the robot's movements.

By using the well-known and widely available PS3 controller, we aim to make the system accessible to a broader audience and streamline the user experience for teleoperation.

ESP32 Microcontroller

The heart of our teleoperated robot is the ESP32 microcontroller, a powerful, low-cost, and highly capable platform that supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This allows seamless communication between the robot and the controller over wireless networks, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including search-and-rescue operations, remote inspections, and education.

The ESP32 enables real-time feedback from the robot’s sensors, allowing operators to receive data on its environment, status, and operational conditions while controlling its movements.

Wireless Communication and Real-Time Control

The combination of ESP32 and Bluetooth provides stable and fast communication, allowing the robot to be operated over long distances with minimal latency.

The control system is designed to ensure that movements are precise and responsive, offering a natural and intuitive way for operators to interact with the robot.

Modular Design for Expandability

As part of our ongoing research and development, we have designed the Telebot with modularity in mind. The platform is easily expandable, allowing us to integrate additional sensors, cameras, and payloads, such as thermal imaging or gas detection equipment, in the future.

The modular design enables us to adapt the robot for various missions, whether it's for industrial, military, or emergency applications.

As a team committed to designing advanced robotics systems for practical applications, we face challenges related to sourcing and manufacturing critical components while staying within our budget and timeline. Rapid prototyping and high-quality PCB fabrication are essential to ensure that we can develop and test new circuits and components quickly.

We believe PCBWay’s support can make a huge difference in accelerating the development of the TeleArm project. Their fast prototyping services will enable us to test and iterate on designs more effectively, ensuring we can optimize the robotic arm’s performance

With the support of PCBWay, we are excited to take the TeleArm project to the next level and explore its potential in a wide range of fields. The ability to teleoperate a robotic arm with a PS3 controller opens up a world of possibilities, including remote surgery, hazardous material handling, and space exploration.

In the long term, we aim to expand the functionality of the TeleArm, integrating advanced capabilities such as artificial intelligence for autonomous decision-making, additional sensors for enhanced perception, and even advanced materials for more flexible and lightweight arms. This project will not only contribute to the advancement of robotics technology but also inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with robotics and teleoperation, and with the support of PCBWay, we believe we can achieve our goals of making high-precision, remote-controlled robotic systems accessible to a broader range of industries and applications.