Although the Arduino platform is ideal for standalone applications, it really comes to life when interfaced with a PC. Connect Arduino to a personal computer and you instantly add a ton of versatility and processing power to your project.

This tutorial will describe how to use Arduino to control a bank of four independent RC servos with your PC (or Mac, or *nix Box), using a USB cable and a modular Arduino-Python software stack.

The following discussion builds upon concepts presented in two previous articles, “Arduino Serial Servo Control” and “Joystick Control of a Servo.” As always, comments, critiques, or suggestions for improving or adapting this code are welcome and appreciated.

Project Outline

The primary goal for this project was to create a software stack that allows simple and flexible control of multiple servos from any type of Python script.

The solution has two basic components: (1) an Arduino sketch that waits for serial input from a connected PC, then moves each servo to its commanded position, and; (2) a Python module on the PC that opens the serial connection and formats the data packets expected by the Arduino.

Any other Python program written to sit on top of these two layers need not worry about the messy details of serial communication, but rather can just say something like, “Move servo #2 to 90 degrees.” Or, more precisely:

servo.move(2,90)

Easy, right? Let’s get started.

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Inspired by Armadillo Aerospace and their laptop-controlled Pixel rocket, I decided to figure out how to use an Arduino module to achieve wireless remote control of a flight vehicle.

Along the path to development, an achievable intermediate goal would be something like a wireless RC rover with a video camera, monitored and controlled with a laptop and joystick on a WiFi network.

Step one in the process is simple joystick control of a servo over a USB connection. This project builds upon the process documented in “Arduino Serial Servo Control.” I welcome any comments or suggestions for improving or adapting this code.

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One of the cool features of the Arduino platform is its ability to talk to other electronic devices using standard protocols. The big draw of physical computing, in my opinion, is the power it gives you to affect a limitless range of real-world objects with your PC, rather than just boring old monitors and printers.

This short tutorial will demonstrate one way to use Arduino to control a servo motor with a PC, using a USB cable and the Arduino’s serial library. It will in no way attempt to be an introduction to asynchronous serial communication, since such topics are better addressed elsewhere.

RC servos are comprised of a DC motor mechanically linked to a potentiometer. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals sent to the servo are translated into position commands by electronics inside the servo. When the servo is commanded to rotate, the DC motor is powered until the potentiometer reaches the value corresponding to the commanded position.

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