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You can build a small remote-control car by pairing a 2WD chassis with an Arduino, a motor driver, a power supply, and one control system. The key is to choose the control system first: an IR remote, a phone over Bluetooth, or a separate radio transmitter each needs its own receiver, wiring, and code. This guide compares those paths, then walks through a coherent beginner build using the IR-car design documented by ArduinoGetStarted.com.
How an Arduino RC car works
A 2WD car uses two DC motors to drive its wheels. The Arduino reads a command from an input device and sends control signals to a motor driver. The driver switches power to the motors; the Arduino does not drive the motors directly.
The input device is a separate choice from the drive system. An IR receiver, Bluetooth module, or radio receiver delivers commands to the controller, while the motor driver and motors handle movement. Choose one complete architecture and follow its own pin map and sketch. The IR, Bluetooth, and NRF24L01+ examples below are not mix-and-match wiring recipes.
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| Control method | Example hardware | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| IR remote | 2WD kit, Arduino, L9110S motor driver, IR remote and receiver; see ArduinoGetStarted.com’s IR car tutorial. | A handheld remote and a relatively direct build path. Keep its receiver, driver, wiring, and code together. |
| Bluetooth phone control | Arduino Uno, HC-05 Bluetooth module, L298N driver, lithium-ion cell, and chassis/motor assembly; listed in a July 19, 2025 Arduino Project Hub project. | Commands come from a phone rather than a dedicated handheld remote. Use the project’s Bluetooth command format and matching motor-control code. |
| Separate radio controller | Two Arduino Uno boards, two NRF24L01+ modules, joystick inputs, L298N driver, batteries, and a motorized chassis; detailed in a guide dated May 22, 2019 How to Build a Remote Control (R/C) Car. | A separate transmitter and receiver, with distinct wiring and code on both Arduino boards. It involves more parts than the single-board examples. |
The cited examples do not provide comparable measurements for range, response time, price, runtime, or driving performance, so those outcomes cannot be ranked here.
#1 Best Overall
- Learn Arduino & Robotics from Scratch - Perfect for STEM beginners and adults who want to explore robotics, electronics, and coding. This hands-on kit provides an integrated learning experience with Arduino programming and robot assembly.
- Multi-Functional Smart Car - Equipped with OSOYOO WiFi Shield, Bluetooth module, infrared remote, and line tracking sensors — enabling multiple control modes such as auto-driving, infrared control, Bluetooth control, and WiFi app control.
- Easy & Reliable Assembly - The upgraded OSOYOO Model-X Motor Driver includes improved wiring sockets for easy connections, reducing setup errors and ensuring stable operation — ideal for both beginners and educators.
- Control via Mobile App - Operate your robot through the OSOYOO app for Android and iOS. Enjoy advanced features like imitation driving and real-time WiFi control for an engaging learning experience.
- Step-by-Step Learning Guide Included - Comes with detailed online tutorials, circuit diagrams, sample codes, and assembly videos — helping you progress from a simple car to a fully functional smart robot, even with no prior programming experience.
Parts for the IR beginner build
For the main walkthrough, use one compatible 2WD Arduino robot car kit and the IR circuit documented in the ArduinoGetStarted.com tutorial. Its kit approach includes a chassis, wheels, motors, and battery holder.
- 2WD chassis kit: the frame, wheels, and two DC motors make up the moving platform. Check what the kit actually includes; a chassis kit may not include a controller or receiver.
- Arduino board: runs the sketch and reads the receiver’s commands.
- L9110S motor driver: connects the Arduino’s control signals to the two motors in this particular example. Confirm the driver suits the motors and supply you intend to use.
- IR remote and receiver: provide the handheld input. Use the receiver and pin assignments specified for the chosen design.
- Battery supply and holder: power the circuit as specified for the actual board, driver, and motors. Do not assume another tutorial’s voltage is safe for your parts.
- Jumper wires: connect the board, receiver, driver, and power according to the circuit diagram.
The list is for the IR architecture; a Bluetooth or NRF24L01+ build requires its own control hardware and code. There is no universally best board, driver, motor, or battery established by these examples.
Rank #2
- 【Complete Hardware】The kit includes LAFVIN R3 CH340 board, V5 expansion board, L298N motor driver, ultrasonic sensor, SG90 servo, DC motors, and more. All components are well-organized for quick assembly and easy use.
- 【Multiple Smart Functions】It supports ultrasonic obstacle avoidance and IR remote control, allowing the car to automatically detect and avoid obstacles or be controlled via the included remote.
- 【Easy Assembly】The modular design with standard connectors and clear wiring makes assembly simple for beginners. We provide tutorial and open source code libraries to help you build and program the car step by step.
- 【Educational STEM Learning】This kit is ideal for learning robotics, programming, and electronics. It helps users understand how microcontrollers work together, improving hands-on skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
- 【Beginner Friendly】Compatible with the Arduino IDE, the kit allows for further customization and expansion. It’s perfect for classroom teaching, personal projects, and STEM competitions.
Assemble and wire the IR car
1. Build the chassis
Fit the motors, wheels, and battery holder to the chassis using the kit’s instructions. Identify which motor drives each side before wiring. Leave access to the Arduino, driver, and battery connections so you can check them easily.
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2. Connect motors through the driver
Connect each motor to the appropriate output on the L9110S driver as shown in the IR tutorial. Connect the Arduino’s control pins to the driver inputs using that tutorial’s pin map. Do not substitute the L298N or L293D diagrams from other builds: those are different driver circuits.
Rank #3
- Ideal for DIY, Multi-function and Various kinds of positioning holes
- Holes for all kinds of modules. It can be used with other devices to realize function of tracing, obstacle avoidance, distance testing, speed testing, wireless remote control
- Convenient installation, firm and reliable
- 2 DC gear motors , Motor reduction ratio of 48:1
- Can be used with raspberry pi or arduino
3. Connect the IR receiver
Wire the receiver to the Arduino exactly as specified for the selected circuit. The IR example powers its receiver from the Arduino’s 5 V output. The receiver’s signal pin and the sketch must agree; a different pin assignment requires matching code changes.
4. Connect power with ratings in mind
In the cited L9110S example, four 1.5 V AA batteries provide 6 V to the driver and Arduino VIN, and the components share ground. These are instructions for that specific circuit, not a general battery recommendation. Check the voltage and connection requirements for your own board, driver, and motors before applying power.
Rank #4
- BUILD, CODE & DRIVE YOUR OWN ROBOT CAR: Turn coding, electronics and engineering into a working programmable robot car you can assemble, program and drive; ideal for weekend family projects, STEM classrooms, coding clubs, robotics lessons and maker challenges
- EXPLORE FPV, LINE TRACKING & OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE: Control the robot with the ELEGOO app or IR remote, view live FPV video through the onboard camera, follow black lines, avoid obstacles with the ultrasonic sensor and explore multiple interactive driving modes
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY BUILD WITH GUIDED WIRING: Keyed XH2.54 connectors help reduce wiring mistakes, while the illustrated tutorial and example programs guide beginners step by step from chassis assembly and module connection to programming and the first successful run
- GO BEYOND ASSEMBLY WITH CREATIVE CODING: Program with Arduino IDE to explore movement, sensors and control logic, then modify example code to create custom routes, reactions and robotics experiments that develop coding, problem-solving and engineering skills
- COMPLETE RECHARGEABLE STEM ROBOTICS KIT: Includes an ELEGOO UNO R3 controller board, ESP32-WROVER-based camera and Wi-Fi module, line-tracking and ultrasonic sensors, motors, IR remote and a 2000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery; recommended for ages 8+ with adult guidance for first-time builders
The same tutorial says to disconnect the supply from Arduino VIN while programming over USB, to avoid simultaneous supplies in that circuit. Follow the power guidance for your exact board and wiring; never assume the power arrangement from a different architecture applies.
Upload the matching code and test movement
- Use the sketch and pin assignments for the IR remote, L9110S driver, and Arduino circuit you wired. A Bluetooth command sketch or NRF24L01+ transmitter/receiver sketch will not operate this wiring as-is.
- Before applying motor power, inspect the wiring for loose connections, reversed supply polarity, and accidental shorts. Confirm that the supply matches the component documentation.
- Raise the car so its wheels are off the ground for the first movement test. Power it and use the remote to check forward, backward, turning, and stop commands.
- If a wheel turns opposite to the intended direction, disconnect power and reverse that motor’s leads at the driver output, then test again. If a command does nothing, check the receiver connection and the matching signal-pin settings in the sketch.
Testing with the wheels raised makes direction errors easier to spot before the car is driven on the floor, as recommended in the IR tutorial.
Best Value
- PRE-ASSEMBLED 2WD ROBOT CHASSIS: Fully pre-assembled 2WD chassis with dual DC motors durable acrylic frame and battery holder ready to use out of the box saving assembly time and ensuring no missing components
- MOTORS WITH SPEED ENCODERS: Built-in encoders on both DC motors provide real-time speed feedback for precise motion control in line following autonomous driving and RC robot applications
- ARDUINO ESP32 COMPATIBLE: Works with Arduino Uno ESP32 ESP8266 Raspberry Pi and other 3.3V and 5V microcontroller boards for easy robot programming and rapid project development
- TUTORIALS AVAILABLE: Step-by-step tutorials available online by searching DIYables RC 2WD Car Chassis Kit ideal for STEM education robotics learning Arduino programming and coding projects
What changes if you choose Bluetooth or NRF24L01+
Bluetooth phone control
The Arduino Project Hub example combines an Uno, HC-05, L298N, lithium-ion cell, and robot chassis. Its phone input and Bluetooth commands are part of that build’s software and wiring. Keep those details together; the IR receiver and L9110S pin map above do not apply to it. The project is dated July 19, 2025: DIY Bluetooth Controlled RC Car using Arduino, HC-05, L298N & Lithium Battery.
Two-Arduino radio control
The NRF24L01+ example is a transmitter-and-receiver project rather than a one-board car with a handheld IR remote. Its parts include two Uno boards, two NRF24L01+ modules, joystick modules, an L298N driver, batteries, and a motorized chassis. It needs code on both sides of the radio link and wiring specific to those modules. Consult the guide’s own diagrams rather than adapting the IR circuit: How to Build a Remote Control (R/C) Car.
Power choices are circuit-specific
Different tutorials use different power arrangements. The IR example uses four AA cells totaling 6 V for its driver and Arduino VIN. An Institution of Electronics guide instead recommends separate controller and motor supplies for its own project—suggesting 9 V for the Arduino and four AA cells for the motors—and says to connect their grounds. Its advice is specific to that build, not a substitute for checking the ratings of your chosen components: Making a Remote Control Car – Your Very First Robotics Project!.
Quick Recap
- Check the permitted input and motor voltage for the exact Arduino board, driver, and motors.
- Confirm that the driver can handle the motors and the chosen supply.
- Follow the wiring diagram for the architecture you selected; a shared ground is required where that circuit depends on it.
- Do not combine supply recommendations from different tutorials without verifying that the resulting wiring is appropriate.
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