WALL-E R1 Modular CargoBot

The Story Behind the Cargo Bot

CARGOBOT is a smart, modular, semi-autonomous ground delivery robot inspired by systems like Kiwibot. It is designed to carry light-to-medium payloads over short distances in structured or semi-structured environments. Controlled via Wi-Fi or internet-based GCS (Ground Control Station), the robot can transmit live telemetry and camera feed, respond to remote commands, and navigate around basic obstacles. it has interactive neopixel leds, dotmatrix display, i2s mic, speaker, Neo6m GPS, rangefinder lidar.

Key Features

Use Cases

Campus delivery (food, documents, electronics)

Industrial goods transfer within factories

Event-based transport and assistance robot

Surveillance or inspection bot (with minor mods)

Powerful Processing: At the heart of Cargobot is the Arduino Giga R1 WiFi, offering high-speed performance and ample I/O for advanced interfacing and multitasking.

Multi-Motor Drive System: The bot uses four high-torque IG32 motors controlled via dual Cytron MDD20A motor drivers, offering precision movement for rugged terrain or load-carrying task

Integrated Power Management: Power is managed through LM2596 buck converters with organized rails for 3.3V, 5V, and 12V components. Battery monitoring and safe power distribution are built into the PCB

Smart Lighting: A custom NeoPixel ring (40 LEDs) provides dynamic lighting animations indicating various bot states like boot-up, idle, motion, and errors

Sensor Fusion Ready: The system includes provisions for GPS, compass (magnetometer), gyroscope, and other key sensors—using the phone's onboard sensors or connected modules for real-time data.

Real-Time Control and Monitoring: The ESP32 module connects to a smartphone via WiFi SoftAP, providing a real-time dashboard with camera feed, telemetry, and lighting control. HTTP communication handles control signals between components.

Expandable Communication: A placeholder has been designed in the PCB to support Particle Boron for LTE connectivity. Unfortunately, LTE Cat-M1 support for Boron is currently not available in India, but the option remains open for future expansion.

Peripheral Integration: Additional modules like MAX98357A for audio output, MAX7219 LED matrix, GPS, RTC, relays, DAC/ADC, and NRF24L01 are integrated for advanced capabilities and future upgrades.

Core Components and Functionality:

Modular Design: The bot can be reconfigured for different applications, such as payload delivery or agricultural monitoring, demonstrating its adaptability.

Communication Capabilities: Powered by Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi and Particle Photon LTE, the bot ensures seamless communication and control, essential for autonomous operation

Navigation and Obstacle Detection: Equipped with GPS and ultrasonic sensors, the bot autonomously navigates diverse environments while avoiding obstacle

Custom GUI Dashboard: This user-friendly interface allows operators to monitor critical data, such as battery levels and payload status, enhancing operational efficiency.

Enhanced Visual Feedback: An integrated camera provides real-time visual feedback, improving obstacle detection and overall performance.

Dual-Battery System with BMS: Ensures extended runtime and safety, crucial for practical applications

please find the code an design files here: GITHUB

CHECKOUT ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM HERE: DRIVE

We would like to thank

PCBWay.com for providing high-quality PCB fabrication support, and

Hackster.io for supporting this project with free hardware and community reach. This project wouldn’t have been possible without their generous collaboration.

Cargobot is still evolving. We're working on adding autonomous navigation, object detection, and terrain mapping features using onboard cameras and AI edge processing. With a robust foundation already in place, this platform will soon serve as a flexible solution for agricultural monitoring, warehouse transport, and more.

Follow the project to stay updated as we release firmware, schematics, and build instructions.

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