Projects / Birch Differential Rover
Birch Differential Rover
Build a differential-drive rover on a laser-cut 3mm birch plywood chassis: two geared drive motors (TT or N20), wheels, caster or skid, H-bridge driver, Arduino, and a switched 4×AA battery pack.
$12 Mobility
Digital guide + cut files + BOM + code · Parts sourced separately · Ages 8–14 with adult help
DriveDifferential (2 motors)
Structure3mm birch chassis
ControllerArduino + H-bridge
Build time4–7 hours
Skill levelIntermediate
Ages8+
Pack contents
- SVG chassis deck, top deck (true Uno hole pattern) + motor mount plates
- Build guide: cut, mount motors, wire, drive
- First-principles: differential drive, torque, gearing, battery safety
- Drive firmware: forward, reverse, pivot, curves
- Verified BOM (~$42–149 hardware)
Typical hardware cost
Default structure is laser-cut birch plywood with real fasteners and hobby electronics you can source—honest BOM, not mystery modules.
- ~$42–149 in typical parts (makerspace cut toward the low end; mail-order toward the high end)
- Digital pack price ≠ hardware
The $12 pack is the digital guide + cut files + BOM + lessons + code, plus printable Builder's Corner build journal pages. Hardware is sourced separately — see Where to get kit materials. Buy with Stripe is live below.
Questions? Email us at lance.haney@gmail.com.
Pricing
- Home / Personal license $12
- Classroom license $45 — 1 teacher, up to 30 studentsOne $45 Classroom license covers one group of up to 30 students. Each additional group needs another license.
- Build materials available at cost + 10% — email for a quote
Learning outcomes
- Explain how wheel speed ratios create translation and rotation
- Estimate turning radius from track width and speed ratio
- Wire a dual H-bridge safely with common GND
- Practice battery safety with a switched 4×AA pack and a start button