Electromechanical Protopye

This project involved building a small, motorized cart that could move while maintaining a tall vertical bar from tipping over. The bar is an 8020 aluminum extrusion mounted in the center of the platform, so the system becomes unstable if the cart accelerates too quickly.

The cart was constructed with a laser-cut MDF base, 3D-printed wheels, and a DC motor that powers the rear axle. An Arduino and motor driver control the motor speed so the cart can move forward and backward.

Because the bar is only supported at the bottom, the main challenge was controlling the acceleration so the bar would stay upright. By adjusting the motor input and testing different speeds, the cart was able to move while keeping the bar stable.

This project helped me see how motor control, dynamics, and mechanical design all work together in a real system.