In this project, with the help of two Arduino Uno boards, you can build a mini robotic arm on the platform of an Arduino smart car and control them independently via the same controller app. With their powers combined, you end up with a tiny RC crane!

Your hybrid vehicle can be controlled with a joystick (generally during the trial phase) or via your phone with an app. The project has thorough instructions, including how to set up the app, so you’ll be driving your own crane in no time.

• Who designed it: benoitdr
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Core components: 2x Arduino Unos, MeArm kit, motors, speed sensors, ultrasonic distance sensor, infrared proximity sensors, 9-V battery
• Where to find it: Arduino Project Hub

This fun project consists of using an Arduino Nano to adapt an RC car. Adding the Arduino means the car can be controlled even more remotely, via an attached camera sending footage to your computer. It sends a real-time camera feed by using a radio AV receiver and some other electronic components.

The camera can’t rotate, meaning the point of view is always focused on the front and center of the car, and the range of distance you can take your car in will depend on the range of your AV receiver.

• Who designed it: Tiobel
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Core components: Arduino Nano, RC car, wireless camera, motor controller, radio receiver
• Where to find it: Instructables

To add a bit of 3D printing to the mix, we’ve chosen this project that includes a 3D printed chassis. This project is centered around an Arduino Uno and is controlled via smartphone.

Inside, you can fit the electronic components of your RC car, but outside, the choice is yours! If you want to personalize the design, you can do so by using the TinkerCAD link provided by the author.

• Who designed it: 3DRacers
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Core components: Arduino Uno, 3D printed parts, gyro shield
• Where to find it: Pinshape

With this ingenious project, you don’t even need a remote control, you only need your smartphone. This project upgrades an RC car to be controlled via Android and uses an accelerometer and an Arduino Uno as well as a Bluetooth transmitter.

It costs approximately $40 to replicate it, and the project is explained in great detail. However, we classified it as advanced because you’ll have to do some soldering and chemical work, so make sure you are up to the task.

• Who designed it: a1r
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Core components: Arduino Uno, RC car, accelerometer, Bluetooth serial adapter, resistors, 9-V battery, 16-pin DIP socket, soldering iron
• Where to find it: Instructables

In this project, a purchased RC car was adapted with an Arduino board to work at high speeds and with additional functions like indicative LED lights. The final product includes functional front lights, backlights, RGB lights on the inside, a horn, rotation in all directions, and speed control.

You can find the highly detailed instructions from the Arduino Project Hub, including a video of what you’re working towards.

• Who designed it: Aqib
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Core components: Arduino Uno, RC car, HC-06 Bluetooth module, LEDs, resistors, 9-V battery
• Where to find it: Arduino Project Hub

The first thing that comes to attention in this design is its smooth and futuristic design. However, there’s more to it than that!

This RC car uses an Arduino Uno board and can be controlled via Bluetooth with an HC-05 Bluetooth sensor. It uses some 3D printed parts and a couple of extra components like bars for the transmission, and you get step-by-step instructions, with pictures, for its assembly. The complete instructions cover wiring, printing, assembling, and coding.

• Who designed it: Stix37867
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Core components: Arduino Uno, HC-05 Bluetooth module, 3D printed parts, motors, drivers, resistors, 9-V battery
• Where to find it: Instructables

IMA Juno is a smart Arduino Rover that uses 3D printed parts. It’s recommended for absolute Arduino beginners because it provides step-by-step instructions in all aspects of the project, including the coding and wiring.

This little rover can be controlled via Bluetooth, and the creator even provides a full plan for building it in a classroom setting.

• Who designed it: Explore Making
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Core components: Arduino Uno, HC-06 Bluetooth module, 3D printed parts, servo motors, LEDs, switches
• Where to find it: Pinshape

This project takes an existing RC car and modifies it to be controllable from your computer through a web browser. You’ll need a wireless camera to be able to see where the car is, and with these two components and a few electronic components, you can use this car from anywhere as long as you’ve got an internet connection.

The process to recreate this project is a bit involved, but it’s explained in great detail. So, as long as you take your time, you should be able to replicate it.

• Who designed it: randofo
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Core components: Arduino Uno, RC car, wireless camera, Ethernet shield, 5-V relays
• Where to find it: Instructables

This is another version of a combination between a robotic arm and a car. This project combines a robot arm kit with a 4WD chassis kit to create a multifunctional little RC robot.

If you still consider yourself a beginner in the world of Arduino and mechatronics, this project could be a good place to start. It’s well explained and approaches the more in-depth aspects of the build, like connections and the arm mechanism, with several diagrams. This not only helps to illustrate the assembly but also explains why it must be constructed in a certain way.

• Who designed it: HyperChiicken
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Core components: Arduino Uno, Raspberry Pi Zero, Adeept robot arm kit, Kuongshun Electronics 4WD kit, battery, Xbox 360 controller
• Where to find it: Arduino Project Hub