Published October 9, 2018 © CC BY

DIY Accelerometer Based Controller

This project will show you how to make a DIY joystick using an accelerometer.

IntermediateFull instructions provided3 hours1,417

Things used in this project

Hardware components

STEMpedia evive

Jumper wires (generic)

GY521 MPU6050 Module

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

The Processing Foundation Processing

Story

Intro: DIY Accelerometer Based Controller

And we’re back with another DIY gaming project! As always, playing with something made with your own hands is always an out-of-the-world experience! First, it was a DIY Game Controller; now it’s time for a DIY Joystick using Accelerometer!

This time we’re going to make a DIY Joystick using an accelerometer using which you can control a robotic arm, an entire robot, and even play many games!

Ready to transform your gaming experience?

Then begin right away!

Step 1: Things You'll Need:

evive

Male to Male Jumper Cables

Accelerometer

The first two electronic component can be available in evive. With the help of which the number of projects can be made.

Step 2: Assembly

We have interfaced the accelerometer with our 2 previously made robots. Whose assembly you can find on the link given below.

Mobile Robot

Robotic Arm

And will also use as:

A Game Controller

The above Mobile Robot project can be easily made with the help of Starter Kit. And not just this project, many more projects can be made from it, some of which are even listed on H a c k s t e r.

Similarly, the Robotic Arm Kit provides you with interesting projects such as Pick and Place Robot, Sketching Robot, etc.

The catch here is that we will be using the accelerometer to control the movements of robots or the game sprite. The Accelerometer cannot be just held in hands. Thus, we are using a 3D printed holder. We have attached the Accelerometer on the top of the holder.

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With this, we have completed our assembly part.

Want to make more 3D printed stuff? Now, whatever you design can come to life.

Own a 3D printer now!

Step 3: About Accelerometer

An Accelerometer is a device used to measure the acceleration, which is nothing but the change in velocity with respect to time. To be precise, the accelerometer we use here measures the change in the gravitational acceleration.

Step 4: Logic:

As we know, our sensor can respond in specific values to any tilt or movement in its x, y, or z-axes. We will be using this property and will assign specific actions for each change.

In Mobile Robot:

Tilt Forward – Robot moves Forward

Tilt Backward – Robot moves in Reverse Direction

Tilt Right – Robot turns Right

Tilt Left – Robot turns Left

No Tilt – Brake

In Robotic Arm:

Tilt Forward – Base Servo will turn Left

Tilt Backward – Base Servo will turn Right

Tilt Right – Link Servo will turn Right

Tilt Left – Link Servo will turn Left

No Tilt – Stop

As Game Controller

Tilt Forward – Jump / Space

Tilt Backward – Shoot / Shift

Tilt Right – Game Sprite will move Forward

Tilt Left – Game Sprite will move Backward

No Tilt – Stop

Step 5: Circuit Diagram for Mobile Robot

The circuitry is for the Mobile Robot is shown:

Step 6: Circuit Diagram for Robotic Arm

The circuitry for the Robotic Arm is as shown:

Step 7: Circuit Diagram As Game Controller:

The connection for how the Accelerometer to be used as Game Controller is shown:

Step 8: Arduino Code for Mobile Robot:

The code which is to be followed for driving the Mobile Robot can be downloaded from the Code section below:

To know more about Arduino visit here:

https://thestempedia.com/tutorials/arduino-ide/

Step 9: Arduino Code for Robotic Arm:

To control the Robotic Arm / Pick and Place Robot with the accelerometer, we should write the code given in the.

Step 10: Code for Game Controller:

Here we will be using Processing along with Arduino.

Once the key is pressed, Arduino assigns the number to it according to the code.

We use processing as the interface between Arduino and the PC.Arduino then sends the signal number to Processing. Eg., when we press UP key. Arduino sends ‘1.’ to Processing. Processing performs the action that it corresponds too.

Make sure that you change the COM port in the processing. The COM port should be similar to the COM port in the Arduino.

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The Arduino code is as below:

The Processing Code can be downloaded from the link given below:

https://thestempedIa.com/wp-content/uploa...

You can download evive library by clicking the link below:

https://thestempedIa.com/wp-content/uploa...

Step 11: Conclusion

With this, your DIY Joystick using accelerometer is ready! Now you can have double the fun playing your favorite games!

To explore more projects, visit: http://thestempedia.com/projects

Code

#include<evive.h>
#include <Wire.h> 

const int MPU_ADDR = 0x68;                              // I2C address of the MPU-6050. If AD0 pin is set to HIGH, the I2C address will be 0x69.
int accelerometer_x, accelerometer_y, accelerometer_z; // variables for accelerometer raw data
int gyro_x, gyro_y, gyro_z;                           // variables for gyro raw data
int temperature;                                     // variables for temperature data


unsigned int  motor1_en  =  44;
unsigned int motor2_en  =  45;
unsigned int  motor1_dir1 = 28;
unsigned int  motor1_dir2 = 29;
unsigned int  motor2_dir1 = 30;
unsigned int  motor2_dir2 = 31;


void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:

   Serial.begin(9600);

    tft_init(INITR_BLACKTAB);
    tft.setRotation(1);
    tft.fillScreen(ST7735_BLACK);
  
    tft.setCursor(25,5);
    tft.setTextSize(2);
    tft.setTextColor(ST7735_WHITE,ST7735_BLACK);
    tft.print("STEMpedia");
  
    tft.setCursor(10,50);
    tft.setTextSize(1);
    tft.setTextColor(ST7735_GREEN,ST7735_BLACK);
    tft.print("ACCELEROMETER CONTROLLED ");
    tft.setCursor(55,60);
    tft.print(" ROBOT ");
    

    tft.setTextColor(ST7735_GREEN,ST7735_BLACK);
  tft.setCursor(0,95);
  tft.setTextSize(1.8);
  tft.print("FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT");
  tft.setCursor(30,110);
  tft.setTextColor(ST7735_WHITE,ST7735_BLACK);
  tft.print("thestempedia.com");


  Wire.begin();
  Wire.beginTransmission(MPU_ADDR);       // Begins a transmission to the I2C slave (GY-521 board)
  Wire.write(0x6B);                      // PWR_MGMT_1 register
  Wire.write(0);                        // set to zero (wakes up the MPU-6050)
  Wire.endTransmission(true);

   pinMode(28,OUTPUT);
   pinMode(29,OUTPUT);
   pinMode(30,OUTPUT);
   pinMode(31,OUTPUT);
   pinMode(44,OUTPUT);
   pinMode(45,OUTPUT);

}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

  Wire.beginTransmission(MPU_ADDR);
  Wire.write(0x3B);                        // starting with register 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H) [MPU-6000 and MPU-6050 Register Map and Descriptions Revision 4.2, p.40]
  Wire.endTransmission(false);            // the parameter indicates that the Arduino will send a restart. As a result, the connection is kept active.
  Wire.requestFrom(MPU_ADDR, 7*2, true); // request a total of 7*2=14 registers

  // "Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();" means two registers are read and stored in the same variable
  accelerometer_x = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                  // reading registers: 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H) and 0x3C (ACCEL_XOUT_L)
  accelerometer_y = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                 // reading registers: 0x3D (ACCEL_YOUT_H) and 0x3E (ACCEL_YOUT_L)
  accelerometer_z = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                // reading registers: 0x3F (ACCEL_ZOUT_H) and 0x40 (ACCEL_ZOUT_L)
  temperature = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                   // reading registers: 0x41 (TEMP_OUT_H) and 0x42 (TEMP_OUT_L)
  gyro_x = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                       // reading registers: 0x43 (GYRO_XOUT_H) and 0x44 (GYRO_XOUT_L)
  gyro_y = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                      // reading registers: 0x45 (GYRO_YOUT_H) and 0x46 (GYRO_YOUT_L)
  gyro_z = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                     // reading registers: 0x47 (GYRO_ZOUT_H) and 0x48 (GYRO_ZOUT_L)
  
Serial.print(accelerometer_x);
Serial.print("         ");
Serial.print(accelerometer_y);
Serial.print("         ");
Serial.print(accelerometer_z);
Serial.print("         ");

         if(accelerometer_x > 13000)
           {
             forward();
            Serial.println("forward");
             
           }
        else if(accelerometer_y > 13000)
           {
              left();
             Serial.println("right");     
           }
         else 
            {
              
              accelerometer_y = -(accelerometer_y);
              accelerometer_x = -(accelerometer_x);
              
              if(accelerometer_x >13000)
              {
               backward();
               Serial.println("backward");
              }
              else if(accelerometer_y > 13000)
              {
               right();
               Serial.println("left");
              }
              else if(accelerometer_z >13000)
              {
                stop_motor();
              }
              
            }
            delay(10);
       
         

}

void forward()
{
  analogWrite(motor1_en,255);
  analogWrite(motor2_en,255);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir1,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir1,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir2,LOW);
   delay(50);
}
void backward()
{
  analogWrite(motor1_en,255);
  analogWrite(motor2_en,255);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir1,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir1,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir2,HIGH); 
   delay(50);
}
void left()
{
  analogWrite(motor1_en,255);
  analogWrite(motor2_en,255);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir1,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir1,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir2,HIGH); 
   delay(50);
}
void right()
{
  analogWrite(motor1_en,255);
  analogWrite(motor2_en,255);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir1,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir1,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir2,LOW); 
  delay(50);
}
void stop_motor()
{
  analogWrite(motor1_en,0);
  analogWrite(motor2_en,0);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir1,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor1_dir2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir1,LOW);
  digitalWrite(motor2_dir2,LOW); 
  delay(50); 
}

#include<evive.h>
#include <Wire.h> 

const int MPU_ADDR = 0x68;                              // I2C address of the MPU-6050. If AD0 pin is set to HIGH, the I2C address will be 0x69.
int accelerometer_x, accelerometer_y, accelerometer_z; // variables for accelerometer raw data
int gyro_x, gyro_y, gyro_z;                           // variables for gyro raw data
int temperature;                                     // variables for temperature data

Servo servo1motor;
Servo servo2motor;

int last_base;
int last_link;

const int servo1pin = 44 ;   // base servo
const int servo2pin = 45 ;  // Servo for link 

int servo1_init = 75;  
int servo2_init = 75;

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:

   Serial.begin(9600);
   
   // mpu6050 setup 
  Wire.begin();
  Wire.beginTransmission(MPU_ADDR);       // Begins a transmission to the I2C slave (GY-521 board)
  Wire.write(0x6B);                      // PWR_MGMT_1 register
  Wire.write(0);                        // set to zero (wakes up the MPU-6050)
  Wire.endTransmission(true);

   
    // Servo motor setup 

    servo1motor.attach(servo1pin);
    servo2motor.attach(servo2pin);
 
    servo1motor.write(servo1_init);
    servo2motor.write(servo2_init);

    // tft setup 

    tft_init(INITR_BLACKTAB);
    tft.setRotation(1);
    tft.fillScreen(ST7735_BLACK);
  
    tft.setCursor(25,5);
    tft.setTextSize(2);
    tft.setTextColor(ST7735_WHITE,ST7735_BLACK);
    tft.print("STEMpedia");
  
    tft.setCursor(10,50);
    tft.setTextSize(1);
    tft.setTextColor(ST7735_GREEN,ST7735_BLACK);
    tft.print("ACCELEROMETER CONTROLLED ");
    tft.setCursor(45,60);
    tft.print(" ROBOTIC ARM ");
    

    tft.setTextColor(ST7735_GREEN,ST7735_BLACK);
    tft.setCursor(0,95);
    tft.setTextSize(1.8);
    tft.print("FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT");
    tft.setCursor(30,110);
    tft.setTextColor(ST7735_WHITE,ST7735_BLACK);
    tft.print("thestempedia.com");

}

void loop()
   {
       // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

  Wire.beginTransmission(MPU_ADDR);
  Wire.write(0x3B);                        // starting with register 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H) [MPU-6000 and MPU-6050 Register Map and Descriptions Revision 4.2, p.40]
  Wire.endTransmission(false);            // the parameter indicates that the Arduino will send a restart. As a result, the connection is kept active.
  Wire.requestFrom(MPU_ADDR, 7*2, true); // request a total of 7*2=14 registers

  // "Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();" means two registers are read and stored in the same variable
  accelerometer_x = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                  // reading registers: 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H) and 0x3C (ACCEL_XOUT_L)
  accelerometer_y = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                 // reading registers: 0x3D (ACCEL_YOUT_H) and 0x3E (ACCEL_YOUT_L)
  accelerometer_z = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                // reading registers: 0x3F (ACCEL_ZOUT_H) and 0x40 (ACCEL_ZOUT_L)
  temperature = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                   // reading registers: 0x41 (TEMP_OUT_H) and 0x42 (TEMP_OUT_L)
  gyro_x = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                       // reading registers: 0x43 (GYRO_XOUT_H) and 0x44 (GYRO_XOUT_L)
  gyro_y = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                      // reading registers: 0x45 (GYRO_YOUT_H) and 0x46 (GYRO_YOUT_L)
  gyro_z = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                     // reading registers: 0x47 (GYRO_ZOUT_H) and 0x48 (GYRO_ZOUT_L)
  
        
        if(accelerometer_x > 13000)
           {
              if(last_base<161)
                {
                   move_up(last_base);
                }
           }
       accelerometer_x  = -(accelerometer_x);
        
         if(accelerometer_x >13000)
            {
               if(last_base>0)
                 {
                    move_down(last_base);
                 }
            }
         if(accelerometer_y > 13000)
             {
                if(last_link<161)
                   {
                      move_left(last_link);
                   }
             }
        accelerometer_y = -(accelerometer_y);
        
        if(accelerometer_y >13000)
             {
                if(last_link>0)
                   {
                       move_right(last_link);
                   }
             }
         else 
         {
          
         }
 

}

void move_left(unsigned int Position)
    {
      Position++;
      servo2motor.write(Position);
      delay(15);
      Serial.println(last_link);
      last_link = Position;
    }
void move_right(unsigned int Position)
   {
      Position--;
      servo2motor.write(Position);
      delay(15);
      Serial.println(last_link);
      last_link = Position; 
   }
void move_up(unsigned int Position)
   {
      Position++;
      servo1motor.write(Position);
      delay(15);
      Serial.println(last_base);
      last_base = Position;
   }
void move_down(unsigned int Position)
   { 
      Position--;
      servo1motor.write(Position);
      delay(15);
      Serial.println(last_base);
      last_base = Position;
   }

#include<evive.h>
#include <Wire.h>

const int MPU_ADDR = 0x68;                              // I2C address of the MPU-6050. If AD0 pin is set to HIGH, the I2C address will be 0x69.
int accelerometer_x, accelerometer_y, accelerometer_z; // variables for accelerometer raw data
int gyro_x, gyro_y, gyro_z;                           // variables for gyro raw data
int temperature;
int var =0;
unsigned int wait = 100;

void setup() 
    {
      Serial.begin(9600);
      
      tft_init(INITR_GREENTAB);              // initialize a ST7735S chip, black tab
      tft.setRotation(1);
      tft.fillScreen(ST7735_BLACK);

      Wire.begin();
      Wire.beginTransmission(MPU_ADDR);       // Begins a transmission to the I2C slave (GY-521 board)
      Wire.write(0x6B);                      // PWR_MGMT_1 register
      Wire.write(0);                        // set to zero (wakes up the MPU-6050)
      Wire.endTransmission(true);
   
   
    }

void loop() 
    {

        Wire.beginTransmission(MPU_ADDR);
        Wire.write(0x3B);                        // starting with register 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H) [MPU-6000 and MPU-6050 Register Map and Descriptions Revision 4.2, p.40]
        Wire.endTransmission(false);            // the parameter indicates that the Arduino will send a restart. As a result, the connection is kept active.
        Wire.requestFrom(MPU_ADDR, 7*2, true); // request a total of 7*2=14 registers
        
        accelerometer_x = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                  // reading registers: 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H) and 0x3C (ACCEL_XOUT_L)
        accelerometer_y = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                 // reading registers: 0x3D (ACCEL_YOUT_H) and 0x3E (ACCEL_YOUT_L)
        accelerometer_z = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                // reading registers: 0x3F (ACCEL_ZOUT_H) and 0x40 (ACCEL_ZOUT_L)
        temperature = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                   // reading registers: 0x41 (TEMP_OUT_H) and 0x42 (TEMP_OUT_L)
        gyro_x = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                       // reading registers: 0x43 (GYRO_XOUT_H) and 0x44 (GYRO_XOUT_L)
        gyro_y = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                      // reading registers: 0x45 (GYRO_YOUT_H) and 0x46 (GYRO_YOUT_L)
        gyro_z = Wire.read()<<8 | Wire.read();                     // reading registers: 0x47 (GYRO_ZOUT_H) and 0x48 (GYRO_ZOUT_L)
        
        var =0;
    if(accelerometer_x > 13000)
       {
          var =1;
          Serial.print(var); // UP
          Serial.print(".");
          delay(wait);
       }
    else if (accelerometer_y > 13000)
       {
          var =3;
          Serial.print(var); // right
          Serial.print(".");
          delay(wait);
       }
    else
        {
              accelerometer_y = -(accelerometer_y);
              accelerometer_x = -(accelerometer_x);

                if(accelerometer_x >13000)
                    {
                       var =2;
                       Serial.print(var); // DOWN
                       Serial.print(".");
                       delay(wait);
                    }
                else if(accelerometer_y > 13000)
                    {
                       var =4;
                       Serial.print(var); // LEFT
                       Serial.print(".");
                       delay(wait);
                    }
               else if(accelerometer_z > 13000)
                     {
                        Serial.print(var); // stop
                        Serial.print(".");
                     }
      
       } 
    delay(10);
}

import processing.serial.*; // imports library for serial communication
import java.awt.Robot; // imports library for key press or release simulation
import java.awt.event.KeyEvent; // imports library for reading the data from the serial port
import java.io.IOException;

Serial port; // defines Object Serial
Robot robot; // defines Object Robot

String data;
int iv=0;

// creates new robot object

void setup()
{

try 
{
robot = new Robot();
}
catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
exit();
}

delay(2000);
size (800, 800);
port = new Serial(this,"COM51", 9600); // starts the serial communication
port.bufferUntil('.'); // reads the data from the serial port up to the character '.'. So actually it reads this: 215,214/141;315:314<316!314?315.
background(0,0,0);
}

void draw()
{
print("data:");
print(data);

print(" v= ");
println(iv);

if(iv == 1)
   {
      robot.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_SPACE);
      print(" UP ");
   }

else if(iv == 2)
   {
      robot.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_SHIFT);
      print(" DOWN ");
   }
else if(iv == 4)
   {
      robot.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_LEFT);
      print(" LEFT "); 
   }
else if(iv == 3)
  {
     robot.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT);
     print(" RIGHT "); 
  }
else if(iv==0)
 {
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_UP);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_DOWN);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_LEFT);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_A);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_S);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_W);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_D);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_SPACE);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_ENTER);
   robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_SHIFT);
   
 } 
 
}

void serialEvent (Serial port) // starts reading data from the Serial Port
    {

      data = port.readStringUntil('.'); // reads the data from the serial port up to the character '.' and it sets that into the String variable "data". So actually it reads this: 215,214/141;315:314<316!314?315.
      data = data.substring(0,data.length()-1); // it removes the '.' from the previous read. So this will be the String "data" variable: 215,214/141;315:314<316!314?315

// Finding the indexes in the data and setting the variables from the sensors by taking from the String "data" the appropriate values that are between the characters in the "data" String


      iv= int(data); 
     }

Credits

STEMpedia

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STEMpedia blends theory with experiential learning by offering state-of-the-art technology, projects, tutorials, courses, and much more.

DIY Accelerometer Based Controller

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Intro: DIY Accelerometer Based Controller

Step 1: Things You'll Need:

Step 2: Assembly

Step 3: About Accelerometer

Step 4: Logic:

Step 5: Circuit Diagram for Mobile Robot

Step 6: Circuit Diagram for Robotic Arm

Step 7: Circuit Diagram As Game Controller:

Step 8: Arduino Code for Mobile Robot:

Step 9: Arduino Code for Robotic Arm:

Step 10: Code for Game Controller:

Step 11: Conclusion

Schematics

Fritzing Diagram for Robotic Arm

Fritzing Diagram for Mobile Robot

Fritzing Diagram for Game Controller

Code

Arduino Code for Mobile Robot

Arduino Code for Robotic Arm

Arduino Code for Game Controller

Processing Code for Game Controller

evive Library

Credits

STEMpedia

Comments

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DIY Accelerometer Based Controller

DIY Accelerometer Based Controller

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Intro: DIY Accelerometer Based Controller

Step 1: Things You'll Need:

Step 2: Assembly

Step 3: About Accelerometer

Step 4: Logic:

Step 5: Circuit Diagram for Mobile Robot

Step 6: Circuit Diagram for Robotic Arm

Step 7: Circuit Diagram As Game Controller:

Step 8: Arduino Code for Mobile Robot:

Step 9: Arduino Code for Robotic Arm:

Step 10: Code for Game Controller:

Step 11: Conclusion

Schematics

Fritzing Diagram for Robotic Arm

Fritzing Diagram for Mobile Robot

Fritzing Diagram for Game Controller

Code

Arduino Code for Mobile Robot

Arduino Code for Robotic Arm

Arduino Code for Game Controller

Processing Code for Game Controller

evive Library

Credits

STEMpedia

Comments

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