Projects / Line-Following Rover
Line-Following Rover
Build a line-following rover on a laser-cut 3mm birch plywood differential chassis with IR reflectance sensors and dual geared motors. Cut patterns can share geometry with the Birch Differential Rover pack.
$12 Mobility
Digital guide + cut files + BOM + code · Parts sourced separately · Ages 8–14 with adult help
SensingIR reflectance bar
DriveDifferential motors
Structure3mm birch chassis
ControllerArduino
Build time4–7 hours
Skill levelIntermediate
Pack contents
- Deck, motor mounts, sensor bar SVGs
- Chassis + sensor tuning guide
- First-principles: reflectance, hysteresis / PID intro
- Bang-bang and proportional steering firmware
- Verified BOM (~$50–157 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.
- ~$50–157 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 IR reflectance on tape vs floor
- Mount a sensor bar at controlled height
- Implement left/center/right differential logic
- Compare bang-bang vs proportional steering