Kindly Morrow
Tank Chassis Kit - Tracked Robot Base for Arduino Projects
A tracked robot base that actually grips. Rubber treads and dual DC geared motors let this chassis climb over cables, gravel, door thresholds, and whatever else you put in its way. Wheels slip. Tracks don't.
The single-layer wooden platform is pre-drilled for Arduino Uno mounting and leaves plenty of open real estate for motor drivers, sensors, and breadboards. Pairs directly with an L298N dual H-bridge driver (not included) and runs fine on 4xAA or a 2S LiPo. Simple layout means your wiring stays readable and your iterations stay fast.
Things to build with this
- Mount an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor on a servo at the front and use differential track speed (one track forward, one reverse) to spin in place and sweep for obstacles, building a rotating radar map before each move
- Wire an IR receiver module to the chassis and map a TV remote's directional buttons directly to L298N motor inputs for instant RC control without a dedicated transmitter or radio module
- Add a line-following sensor array (3 or 5 IR sensors across the front) and use the track system's torque advantage to follow tape lines up and over small ramps or bumps that would derail a wheeled bot
Key Features
- Dual rubber track drive: continuous treads on each side for differential steering and obstacle climbing
- Wooden chassis: laser-cut single-layer platform with pre-drilled mounting holes for Arduino Uno form factor
- Motor mounts: accepts standard TT geared DC motors (yellow hobby motors), sold separately
- L298N compatible: wired dual H-bridge control for independent left/right track speed and direction
- Open platform: large upper deck for breadboards, sensor clusters, LiPo packs, or camera rigs
- Hardware included: screws, standoffs, and track assembly hardware in the kit
- Arduino IDE ready: works with standard motor control libraries like AFMotor and L298N wrappers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the motors come included?
No. The kit includes the chassis, tracks, hardware, and mounting components, but not the DC geared motors. You'll need two standard TT motors (the common yellow hobby motors) to complete the drivetrain.
What motor driver should I use with this?
The L298N dual H-bridge module is the standard choice and fits the budget of this kit. It handles the current draw of two TT motors easily and has well-documented Arduino libraries. The TB6612FNG is a more efficient alternative if you want lower heat and tighter current control.
Can this carry a Raspberry Pi or heavier compute board?
The wooden platform can physically support a Pi, but TT motors are low-torque. Adding a Pi, camera, and battery significantly increases weight and can slow the drive or strain the motors. If you're going Pi-based, use a 2S LiPo and keep the payload light.
How is the chassis powered?
There's no onboard power regulation. Most builders run a 4xAA battery pack (6V) directly to the L298N motor driver and power the Arduino separately via USB or a 5V regulator. A 2S LiPo with a UBEC works well for more runtime and consistent voltage.
Why we stock this
Curated by Kindly Morrow. We test and vet every product before it hits the store. If we wouldn't use it in our own builds, we don't sell it.
Things to build with this
Fun projects to try once you get your hands on it.
AI-controlled robot arm that sorts your desk
Connect it to Claude, point a camera at your desk, and let it pick up pens and put them back in the holder. Gloriously unnecessary.
Line-following robot for your hallway
Tape a black line from your office to the kitchen. The robot follows it carrying your coffee mug. Will your cat attack it? Probably.
Gesture-controlled car
Strap an accelerometer to your hand and steer the robot car by tilting. Makes you feel like a Jedi. Kids will never give it back.
Security patrol bot
Program a route through your house. Add a camera. Stream to your phone. Your dog will be confused, but your house will be watched.
