Alpha V1: Open-Source Arduino Base Remote Controller

Arduino IDE

Acrylic Plate Set

Soldering iron (generic)

Self-Centering Toggle Switch (On/Off/On)

Slider

Graphical LCD Display

Push Button

5A SPDT Toggle Switch

Laser cutter (generic)

Hall Sensor Joysticks

Self-Centering Radio Switch (On/Off/On)

Xbee

Outer Body

16mm Metal Push Button

Arduino Mega 2560

<h3 >Description</h3><p >Alpha V1 is the result of years of struggle with making custom made remote controllers for various robots. Finally, we decided that enough is enough. </p><p >Alpha V1 is one remote controller that can be easily customized and modified to be used with all sorts of robots and drones .The front and back plates are laser cut out of 4mm acrylic plates, so not only can you laser cut new ones, but also you can drill and cut the plates to add new switches, joysticks, etc.</p><p >On the firmware side, we have developed many libraries to make sure hardware customization would not require you to write a single line of code, instead you just need to activate them through the menus. </p><p ><span >If you needed a feature that we have not implemented, Alpha V1 is open-source and you will have full access to development resources to go further.We are planning to crowdfund Alpha V1, so signup in our </span><a href="https://www.craetech.com/alpha-v1">website</a><span > to get notified at launch or follow our social media pages for more pictures and updates.</span></p><p ><span >Website: </span><a href="https://www.craetech.com/alpha-v1">https://www.craetech.com/alpha-v1</a></p><p ><span >Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/craetech/">https://www.instagram.com/craetech/</a></p><p ><span >Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/craetech/">https://www.facebook.com/craetech/</a></p><h3 >History</h3><p >We used to build robots for most parts of our undergraduate degree and it was always a struggle to get a remote controller that satisfies all of our needs. It was in our second year (2013), when we first started to think about making our own remote controller. </p><p >Back then, our knowledge was very limited so we made a tailored remote controller for one of our projects. We liked the end results but there were many short comings. The trend of designing a tailored remote controller for each project went on and on till 2015. </p><p >Eventually, we graduated and after few years we decided to work on something interesting in 2017. While going through all of our previous experiences we noticed market still does not offer a solution for our remote controller problem, so we started to work on a new open-source remote controller.</p><p >We named it &#34;Alpha V1&#34; and the project was initiated with few core values:</p><ul ><li >Open-Source Everything</li></ul><ul ><li >Ease of Customization and Modification</li></ul><p >After 2 years of brain storming, prototype  and firmware development, Alpha V1 is very close to becoming a product in market.</p><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/1a141f48-0aae-4d29-ad9b-0843d8527a0d.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>1st Remote Controller</div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/2426fd77-d1a4-4ca8-bbf4-0f671f5aa2d2.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>2nd Remote Controller Based on PS2 Controller</div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/57451326-6a57-47a5-a9aa-fb500dc19d76.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>3rd Remote Controller Which Heavily Influenced Alpha V1 </div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/dc6dc189-6558-4a58-b513-77742285690c.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>Alpha V1's First Prototype</div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/646471ca-53ff-4dcd-9ac0-cea8f92c64a5.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>Alpha V1 Latest Prototype</div></figcaption></figure></div><h3 >Features</h3><p ><span >Designed for </span><strong >Robotics </strong><span >Applications</span></p><ul ><li ><span >Ease of </span><strong >Modification</strong></li></ul><ul ><li ><strong >Code-Free</strong><span > Customization</span></li></ul><ul ><li ><strong >Simple User Interface</strong></li></ul><p >Superior Communication System Compare to RC Transmitters</p><ul ><li ><strong >2-Way</strong><span > </span><strong >Digital Communication</strong></li></ul><ul ><li ><span >Channels' Flexibility (</span><strong >18 channels at 100Hz</strong><span >, 36 channels at 50Hz or 72 channels at 25Hz)</span></li></ul><ul ><li ><span >Advanced and Flexible </span><strong >Telemetry System</strong></li></ul><p ><strong >Open-Source</strong><span > All the Way</span></p><ul ><li ><span >Open-Source </span><strong >Software</strong></li></ul><ul ><li ><span >Open-Source </span><strong >Hardware</strong></li></ul><ul ><li ><strong >Arduino-</strong><span >Compatible</span></li></ul><h3 >Alpha V1 Multiple Views</h3><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/8267406f-c42a-4f50-94ba-40b120e20ae1.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>Alpha V1's Front View</div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/e9baa9dc-a7fc-4c39-b25f-af4edcacc316.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>Alpha V1's Side VIew</div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/e4d78404-f283-4015-9a0d-7529367110a9.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>Alpha V1's Back View</div></figcaption></figure></div><p >Possibilities with Alpha V1: Adding different input devices easier than ever before</p><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/b36510e1-766c-402d-8f56-cdbdcfce2d91.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>Alpha V1 with Different Input Devices (to Illustrate the Possibilities-1) </div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="se-component se-image-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false"> <figure style="margin: 0px;"><img src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/5b3d16da-9f3e-4436-beaf-b67b59cc7089.jpg alt="" ><figcaption contenteditable="true"><div>Alpha V1 with Different Input Devices (to Illustrate the Possibilities-2)</div></figcaption></figure></div><p >*This project is ongoing so stay tuned for more updates.</p>

XBee code we used in 3rd prototype 

PCB schematic for the 3rd prototype