Gimbal Stand Using Arduino And MPU 6050 | Arduino projects

Gimbal Stand Using Arduino And MPU 6050 | Arduino projects

Arduino + MPU‑6050 Gimbal Stand: A DIY Two‑Axis Stabilization Platform

For videographers, robotics enthusiasts, or makers wanting to stabilize orientation based on motion, this project builds a simple two‑axis gimbal stand using an Arduino UNO, an MPU‑6050 gyro‑accelerometer module, and two servo motors. While not smooth as professional BLDC gimbals, it’s perfect for expos and learning

💡 What It Does

The MPU‑6050 senses tilt in the X and Y axes. Those readings are mapped in real‑time to two servo motors, making the platform mimic your movements in roll and pitch — stabilizing even as you tilt it sideways or forwards/backwards.

Components You’ll Need

• Arduino UNO

MPU‑6050 gyroscope + accelerometer sensor

Two servo motors (e.g. standard analog servos

• Jumper wires, breadboard
• USB cable for programming

⚙️ Circuit Wiring

Power: MPU‑6050 VCC → Arduino 5 V, GND → GND

• Power: MPU‑6050 VCC → Arduino 5 V, GND → GND

I²C lines: SDA (MPU‑6050) → A4, SCL → A5

• I²C lines: SDA (MPU‑6050) → A4, SCL → A5

Interrupt pin INT → digital pin 2

• Interrupt pin INT → digital pin 2

Servo signal wires: Servo1 → D6, Servo2 → D5; both share 5 V and GND with ArduinoServo signal wires: Servo1 → D6, Servo2 → D5; both share 5 V and GND with Arduino

Arduino Sketch Overview

Install Wire.h, MPU6050.h (via I2Cdevlib), and Servo.h libraries. The provided code initializes the MPU, reads raw accelerometer data, and maps those values to servo angles—so as you tilt, servos reposition correspondingly.

In loop(), accelerometer axes are captured:

cpp

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val1 = map(ax, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
servo1.write(val1);
val2 = map(ay, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
servo2.write(val2);
delay(5);

cpp

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val1 = map(ax, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
servo1.write(val1);
val2 = map(ay, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
servo2.write(val2);
delay(5);

This means:

ax → servo1 (horizontal tilt)

• ax → servo1 (horizontal tilt)

ay → servo2 (vertical tilt)

• ay → servo2 (vertical tilt

🔧 Tips & Enhancements

Calibration: Raw MPU readings vary. Calibrate your sensor per axis to eliminate drift or random offsets

Calibration: Raw MPU readings vary. Calibrate your sensor per axis to eliminate drift or random offsets.

Smoothing/filtering: Use complementary filter or Kalman filter to combine gyro and accelerometer data for steadier motion

• Smoothing/filtering: Use complementary filter or Kalman filter to combine gyro and accelerometer data for steadier motion

Build quality: Use 3D‑printed or cardboard parts to mount servos firmly and prevent jitter

• Build quality: Use 3D‑printed or cardboard parts to mount servos firmly and prevent jitter

What You’ll Get

A functional Arduino‑controlled two‑axis gimbal that mirrors motion in real‑time.

• A functional Arduino‑controlled two‑axis gimbal that mirrors motion in real‑time.

Great hands‑on learning for IMU fusion, servo control, and Arduino interfacing.

• Great hands‑on learning for IMU fusion, servo control, and Arduino interfacing.

A modular base you can expand — add a camera, third servo for yaw, or more precise motors.

A modular base you can expand — add a camera, third servo for yaw, or more precise motors

⚠️ Limitations & Future Upgrades

Motion is not fluid: Standard servos are slow and cause noticeable steps.

• Motion is not fluid: Standard servos are slow and cause noticeable steps.

No yaw control: Only roll and pitch are stabilized.

• No yaw control: Only roll and pitch are stabilized.

No advanced tuning: You can’t fine-tune PID smoothing without adding digital filters.

• No advanced tuning: You can’t fine-tune PID smoothing without adding digital filters.

Upgrades to consider:

Use BLDC motors and real gimbal controllers for smoother movement.

• Use BLDC motors and real gimbal controllers for smoother movement.

Add yaw motion for full 3-axis stabilization.

• Add yaw motion for full 3-axis stabilization.

Integrate PID control algorithms to reduce overshoot and oscillation.

Integrate PID control algorithms to reduce overshoot and oscillation.

🔧 Want to Build It?

Here’s a basic code snippet to get you started:

cpp

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#include <Wire.h>
#include <MPU6050.h>
#include <Servo.h>

MPU6050 mpu;
Servo servo1, servo2;
int16_t ax, ay, az, gx, gy, gz;

void setup(){
Wire.begin();
Serial.begin(115200);
mpu.initialize();
servo1.attach(6);
servo2.attach(5);
}

void loop(){
mpu.getMotion6(&ax, &ay, &az, &gx, &gy, &gz);
int val1 = map(ax, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
int val2 = map(ay, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
servo1.write(val1);
servo2.write(val2);
delay(5);
}

cpp

CopyEdit
#include <Wire.h>
#include <MPU6050.h>
#include <Servo.h>

MPU6050 mpu;
Servo servo1, servo2;
int16_t ax, ay, az, gx, gy, gz;

void setup(){
  Wire.begin();
  Serial.begin(115200);
  mpu.initialize();
  servo1.attach(6);
  servo2.attach(5);
}

void loop(){
  mpu.getMotion6(&ax, &ay, &az, &gx, &gy, &gz);
  int val1 = map(ax, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
  int val2 = map(ay, -17000, 17000, 0, 179);
  servo1.write(val1);
  servo2.write(val2);
  delay(5);
}

This project delivers a robust, educational Arduino + MPI‑6050 gimbal stand. Great for demonstrations, experimenting with motion control, or experimenting further. Let me know if you’d like help tuning the mapping, adding filtering, or turning it into a camera payload!