E&TC / ECE · Robotics and drone · Final year project
Rough Terrain Beetle Robot
A beetle-like crawling robot that moves quietly through jungles, hills and rocky ground, with a microcontroller driving its leg motors.
What is the Rough Terrain Beetle Robot project?
A beetle-like crawling robot that moves quietly through jungles, hills and rocky ground, with a microcontroller driving its leg motors.
Key facts
- Branch
- Electronics & Telecommunication (E&TC / ECE); also suits Mechatronics
- Type
- Final year project · Advanced
- Suitable for
- Diploma capstone and B.E / B.Tech final year
- Build time
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Estimated component cost
- ₹8,800 – ₹13,000
- Guidance from
- ₹9,999 (Hardware / IoT Final Year)
How the Rough Terrain Beetle Robot works
- Rechargeable battery and Voltage regulator / buck converter supply the circuit; a regulator gives the controller and sensors a steady 5 V.
- The Joystick module gives two-axis control for steering or arm movement.
- The ATmega328P microcontroller with base board is the brain of the circuit: it samples the sensors, compares readings with set limits and switches the outputs.
- The 433 MHz RF transmitter-receiver pair sends the remote's button press wirelessly to the receiver circuit.
- The DC geared motor provides the driving motion.
- The Motor driver lets the low-current controller run the motors forward, reverse and at variable speed.
Block diagram
Inputs
Joystick moduleController
ATmega328P microcontroller with base boardCommunication
433 MHz RF transmitter-receiver pairOutputs
DC geared motorMotor driverComponents list and cost
Typical prices from Indian online stores and electronics markets (Lamington Road, Budhwar Peth, SP Road). Buy from one store where you can to save on shipping.
| Component | Qty | What it does | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATmega328P microcontroller with base board | 1 | Is the brain of the circuit: it samples the sensors, compares readings with set limits and switches the outputs. | ₹350 |
| Joystick module | 1 | Gives two-axis control for steering or arm movement. | ₹90 |
| 433 MHz RF transmitter-receiver pair | 1 | Sends the remote's button press wirelessly to the receiver circuit. | ₹150 |
| DC geared motor | 2 | Provides the driving motion. | ₹500 |
| Motor driver (L298N) | 1 | Lets the low-current controller run the motors forward, reverse and at variable speed. | ₹180 |
| Rechargeable battery (12 V 1.3–7 Ah) | 1 | Stores energy and supplies power when mains is absent. | ₹650 |
| Voltage regulator / buck converter | 1 | Provides a steady voltage to the controller and sensors. | ₹80 |
| Mild steel frame and fabrication | 1 | Forms the main structure that holds all parts. | ₹2,500 |
| Robot chassis (metal / acrylic) | 1 | Needed for this type of build. | ₹1,100 |
| Wheels / castor wheels | 4 | Allow the machine or vehicle to move. | ₹1,600 |
| Li-ion battery pack (18650 × 3, 11.1 V) with BMS | 1 | Needed for this type of build. | ₹1,400 |
| Beetle Legs | 1 | Part from the design specification | ₹150* |
| Passive components, PCB and wiring kit | 1 | Resistors (assorted), capacitors (assorted), transistors / MOSFETs, cables, connectors and jumper wires, diodes and PCB / breadboard. | ₹370 |
| Wiring, PCB, soldering and enclosure | 1 | Project overhead | ₹450 |
| Demo model base / mounting board | 1 | Project overhead | ₹500 |
| Testing spares and replacements | 1 | Project overhead | ₹300 |
| Estimated total | Varies with brand, quality and city | ₹8,800 – ₹13,000 |
Prices are estimates for budgeting; items marked * depend on the exact size or model chosen. We confirm the bill of materials when your design is frozen, and components are charged at actual cost with bills.
How much does this project cost?
| Option | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Components only | You buy the parts and build it yourself | ₹8,800 – ₹13,000 |
| Hardware / IoT Final Year | Working model or guided build, Circuit diagram and bill of materials, Firmware / code with explanation | from ₹9,999 + components |
| Capstone Project (CPE) | Working project or model, Black book in MSBTE format, Step-by-step explanation | ₹9,999 + components |
| Diploma ITR | 100% working source code, Project report PDF, PPT | ₹1,999 + components |
No GST and no hidden charges. Use the cost calculator for a quote with your deadline and add-ons, or see all plans.
Download the project brief (PDF)
Summary, working, components and cost and viva questions on one branded PDF to show your guide or team. To get it developed, contact us on WhatsApp.
What you submit with this project
- Working model with circuit diagram and program code
- Project report or black book in your university's chapter order (block diagram, circuit, calculations, results)
- Presentation for the review and final viva
- Synopsis for topic approval, if your college asks for one
E&TC / ECE viva questions on this project
What is the aim of the Rough Terrain Beetle Robot project?
A beetle-like crawling robot that moves quietly through jungles, hills and rocky ground, with a microcontroller driving its leg motors.
Explain the working of your project in short.
Rechargeable battery and Voltage regulator / buck converter supply the circuit; a regulator gives the controller and sensors a steady 5 V. The Joystick module gives two-axis control for steering or arm movement. The ATmega328P microcontroller with base board is the brain of the circuit: it samples the sensors, compares readings with set limits and switches the outputs. The 433 MHz RF transmitter-receiver pair sends the remote's button press wirelessly to the receiver circuit.
Why is a microcontroller used in this project?
A microcontroller combines a CPU, memory and I/O pins on one chip, so a single low-cost IC can read sensors, make decisions in code and control loads without a computer.
How does a joystick module give position?
It has two potentiometers, one per axis. Each gives a voltage from 0 to 5 V depending on stick position, read by two ADC channels.
Why are encoder and decoder ICs used with the RF module?
The HT12E encoder converts parallel button inputs into a serial code with an address, and the HT12D decoder on the receiver checks the address and restores the outputs. This prevents interference from other remotes.
Why is a geared motor used?
The gearbox reduces speed and multiplies torque, so a small DC motor can move a vehicle or mechanism smoothly. Torque increases roughly by the gear ratio.
Why can't the motor be connected directly to the microcontroller?
A motor needs far more current (hundreds of mA to amps) than a controller pin can supply (about 20–40 mA). The H-bridge driver switches the motor current and allows direction control.
Explain the block diagram of your project.
The input section senses the real-world quantity, the ATmega328P microcontroller with base board processes it according to the program, and the output section acts locally and sends the data or alert wirelessly. The power supply section feeds every block.
Which communication protocols are used between the modules?
Analog inputs read by the ADC for the analog sensors. Each protocol was chosen because the module supports it and it uses the fewest pins.
What is the operating voltage of the circuit?
The controller and most sensors work at 5 V (ESP boards and some modules at 3.3 V). The battery powers the board, and a regulator steps it down. Motors and relays get their own supply line so they do not reset the controller.
Is your system open-loop or closed-loop?
Mainly open-loop: the controller runs the actuators for a set time or number of steps. Adding a sensor for feedback would make it closed-loop and more accurate.
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