Authors: Professor Sheetal N. Mindolkar, Mr. Naveen Gamanagatti, Mr. Pratap R Goudar, Mr. Sammed Belavi
Abstract: Controlling a robot arm can be made simple and intuitive using basic electronic components like potentiometers and an Arduino microcontroller. By directly linking each potentiometer’s rotation to a specific joint on the robotic arm, users experience a tangible and immediate connection between their input and the arm’s movement. This straightforward setup offers an accessible introduction to robotics, ideal for beginners exploring mechatronics, sensor interfacing, and basic control principles. The affordability and ease of the Arduino platform further enhance its educational value, allowing hands-on learning without complex equipment. Building and operating the system reveals the essential control loop of robotics: the robot "senses" user input via electrical signals from potentiometers, the Arduino processes this data, and servo motors execute the movements. While this open-loop system lacks advanced accuracy and autonomy, it provides a clear, practical understanding of how robots respond to control signals, laying the foundation for more sophisticated robotics concepts in the future./
