October 22, 2014

Experimenting with LEGO trains and automated level crossings with Arduino

Once again YouTube member Almightyarjen has demonstrated some fascinating LEGO train automation, this time with controlling the "classic" LEGO 7866 level crossing kit. Doing so isn't that difficult, by placing a light or other sensor at a point in the track preceding the crossing an Arduino can detect the oncoming train.

With a simple L293D-based motor control circuit it's easy to control the boom gates, and of course control the flashing lights is even easier. The results are shown in the following video:

For many more interesting videos that take advantage of Arduino and LEGO - check out the YouTube channel. And for more, we're on facebookGoogle+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well. 

Have you been reading about Arduino and would like to understand more so you can work with projects like the example above, but not sure where to start? Then order one of our Experimenter's Kit for Arduino - as used in many classroom and learning environments:

The package includes a wide variety of parts, sensors and modules including: a servo motor, lights, buttons, switches, sound, sensors, breadboard, wires and more. Furthermore a Freetronics Eleven Arduino-compatible board is included to make this an extensive hobby experimenter, inventor and starter kit. 

However we don't leave you alone to figure it all out, included is a great project and instruction booklet, plus access to a supporting web page and software examples. In other words - this is everything you need to get started for a fun range of electronics and Arduino related projects! So to get started or for more information and to order, check out the product page.

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