S ScienceFairProjects.info
Hard⏱ time4 hr$ cost28

Maze-Solving Robot

Wall sensors and a left-hand rule guide a robot through a maze to the exit.

Start building ↓
fig — working model Result first

The build

Step 01

Add side & front sensors

Mount sensors left, right and ahead.

Step 02

Code the rule

Always follow the left wall when possible.

Step 03

Build a maze

Make cardboard walls with one exit.

Step 04

Solve

Run it until it reaches the end.

Working Principle

Sensors tell the robot where walls are, and the left-hand rule (keep a wall on your left) guarantees finding the exit of a simple maze.

The science behind it

A closer look

Wall-following is a classic maze algorithm; the robot needs no map, just consistent local rules.

Take it further

Variables to test

  • 1 Switch to the right-hand rule — same path?
  • 2 Add a loop to the maze — does it still escape?
← Previous
Voice-Activated Lights
Next →
Gesture-Controlled Robot
↑ Back to all Robotics models

More Robotics

fig — working model Robotics

Obstacle-Avoiding Robot

An Arduino car reads distance with ultrasonic sound and steers itself away from walls.

Hard⏱3 hr$28
fig — working model Robotics

Line-Following Robot

Infrared sensors keep a small robot glued to a black track as it races a loop.

Hard⏱3 hr$26
fig — working model Robotics

Bristlebot

A toothbrush head, a coin motor and a battery make a buzzing bug that scurries across the table.

Easy⏱20 min$5