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Smart Car Electronics Kit

Smart Car Electronics Kit

Regular price $19.95
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This is a fantastic Electronics STEM project to introduce you to the world of electronics and sensors and how they can be used to power smart devices.

A red light source (LED) illuminates a path drawn on a white sheet which provides feedback for the vehicle's photo-resistor. By analyzing the changing resistance of the photo-resistor, the vehicle intelligently determines whether it is traveling on the white area or the black path. In the event of a detection of the white area, the car swiftly adjusts its direction through independent control of its two DC motors to bring it back to the black path. This ensures that the vehicle remains on course, even driving in the opposite direction when necessary, and guaranteeing that it consistently follows the designated black path.

Check out the "Scientific principles illustrated" section below to find out what you can learn and which skills you can develop with this kit.

Soldering iron & wire required. We also sell these HERE.

Ultimate Guide to Electronics

Video: how to get started with Electronics

Further product information

Kit contains all components required to construct the Smart as detailed below. Refer to image gallery for snapshot of each component.

Finished car is approx. 11 cm long by 7 cm wide and 6 cm high. It is powered by 2 x 1.5V AA batteries (3V)

Kit contents

  • Printed circuit board
  • DC motor (x2)
  • LM393 Comparator IC
  • DIP-8 IC socket
  • Light dependent resistor (x2)
  • 100 µF electrolytic capacitor (x2)
  • 10K Potentiometer
  • S8550 transistors (x2)
  • 51 Ω metal film resistor (x4)
  • 1 kΩ metal film resistor (x2)
  • 10 Ω metal film resistor (x2)
  • 5 mm Red LED (x2)
  • 5 mm White LED (x2)
  • Self locking switch
  • AA battery box
  • Connecting wire (x4)
  • 20 mm screw nut and cap nut
  • 24 mm wheel (x2)
  • 24 mm rubber tyre (x2)
  • 30 mm axle (x2)
  • 22 mm plastic gear (x2)
  • 5mm plastic worm gear
  • 2 mm axle sleeve (x6)
  • 2.5 mm 3-way axle sleeve (x2)
  • Flathead 8mm screw (x4)
  • Phillips self-tapping screws (x4)

Age: 10+

Young children require adult supervision when soldering
Note: requires a soldering iron and 2 x AA batteries (not included)

Scientific principles illustrated

This kit is an engaging way to grasp STEM concepts while having fun building and experimenting with technology. With this smart car Electronics STEM kit, you'll learn hands-on about electronics and sensors while also developing electronics skills.

Electronics Fundamentals

Understand basic electronics components, such as resistors, photoresistors, and LEDs, laying the foundation for more advanced concepts.

Sensor Technology

Explore the functionality of a photoresistor as a sensor, learning how it reacts to variations in light intensity and translates these changes into electrical signals.

Feedback Mechanisms

Comprehend the concept of feedback loops as the car adjusts its direction based on the feedback from the photoresistor, demonstrating a fundamental principle in control systems.

Circuit Design

Gain hands-on experience in designing circuits for practical applications, integrating components to achieve a specific outcome, and troubleshooting potential issues.

Motor Control

Learn about DC motor control as the car independently manages its two motors to adapt its direction, providing insights into the principles of robotic movement and autonomy.

Light Detection

Investigate how the car uses a red LED to illuminate a path and how the photoresistor detects changes in light conditions, demonstrating the application of light detection technology.

Problem-Solving

Encounter challenges during assembly and operation, promoting problem-solving skills as you troubleshoot and refine the smart car's performance.

STEM Integration

Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of STEM by combining principles from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to create a functional and autonomous smart car.

Soldering Techniques

Gain practical experience in soldering, a fundamental skill in electronics. This process involves melting solder to make secure electrical connections. Soldering skills are essential for all electronics projects.

Pique your kids interests in electronics with this STEM kit; they may end up being the geniuses that creates the electronic wonders of the future! Check out our blog post to learn more about The Crucial Role of STEM Education.

Ships from: International Warehouse

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Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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J
Jennefir Reidy
Bought for nephew

Got as a birthday present for my nephew, 13. He loves it. He can't wait to get his hands on another electronics kit now... which would you recommend next?

Glad he enjoyed it, and hope he's had a great learning experience from it too :) Something of similar difficulty level would be the Digital clock electronics kit (https://thesciencehut.com/products/digital-clock-electronics-kit) or if he's ready for a bigger challenge, the FM Radio Electronics kit (https://thesciencehut.com/products/fm-radio-assembly-kit) is a step up in terms of difficulty, but he should manage it fine if he managed the Smart car electronics kit ok. Thanks for your valued custom :)

S
Shayne Andrews
Class

Love this. Very straightforward assembly and it works perfectly. I've seen other models that use an actual optical sensor to detect the line, but this one works using light-dependent resistors - when they are pointed at the black line, the resistance changes which modulates the amount of current going to the motor causing the car to turn slightly to keep the black line in the center as it drives... pretty cool idea!

S
Sean McManus
Good soldering practise

Decent STEM electronics kit, gives good practice at soldering. Only drawback for me was the little gears and sprockets weren't so easy to get perfectly aligned, but once assembled, the car is very neat. Kit comes with a sheet with a black track printed on it but you can create any black track you like of any size of shape, once it's black or darkly coloured on a white background, it will work fine. Good fun to build.

R
Ronnie Corbally
Works great

High quality components, supplied in a bag with basic enough instructions. Put it together in around 2 hours. Almost seems like it's alive the way it moves around the track. I'm loving these electronics kits, will be ordering more.

Glad you're enjoying them, Ronnie. We're building out our electronics collection every week; keep an eye on your emails for updates! Thanks

M
Maia Kessler
Happy child

Built it, it works. My child is satisfied.