Are you interested in merging robotics and cultural greetings? In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of building a Namaste greeting robot using an Arduino board. This fun and innovative project will allow your robot to greet people with the traditional Indian gesture of Namaste. Let’s get started on this exciting journey of creating a culturally aware robot!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary components:

• Arduino board (e.g., Arduino Uno)
• Servo motor
• Ultrasonic distance sensor
• Jumper wires
• 3D-printed or cardboard body for the robot
• Power source (e.g., battery pack or USB power bank)
• Glue or fasteners for assembly

Step 2: Design and Assemble the Robot Body

1. Design or 3D-print a simple robot body with a compartment to hold the components.
2. Alternatively, you can create a body using cardboard or other materials.
3. Assemble the body and ensure there’s a space for the servo motor to move the robot’s arm.

Step 3: Wire the Components

1. Connect the servo motor to the Arduino:
   • Connect the servo’s signal wire to one of the Arduino’s PWM pins (e.g., pin 9).
   • Connect the servo’s power and ground wires to the appropriate pins on the Arduino.
2. Connect the ultrasonic distance sensor to the Arduino:
   • Connect the sensor’s VCC pin to the 5V pin on the Arduino.
   • Connect the sensor’s GND pin to the GND pin on the Arduino.
   • Connect the sensor’s trigger pin to a digital pin (e.g., pin 7).
   • Connect the sensor’s echo pin to another digital pin (e.g., pin 8).

Step 4: Write the Arduino Code

1. Open the Arduino IDE on your computer.
2. Write the code to control the servo motor and the ultrasonic sensor. Here’s a simple example:

Servo myservo;
int triggerPin = 7;
int echoPin = 8;

void setup() {
myservo.attach(9);
pinMode(triggerPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
digitalWrite(triggerPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(triggerPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(triggerPin, LOW);

long duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
int distance = duration * 0.034 / 2;

if (distance < 10) { // Adjust the distance threshold
myservo.write(90); // Move the servo arm to the Namaste position
delay(1000); // Wait for a second
myservo.write(0); // Reset the servo arm
}
}

Step 5: Upload the Code

1. Connect your Arduino board to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Select the appropriate board and port in the Arduino IDE.
3. Click the “Upload” button to upload the code to the Arduino.

Step 6: Test and Calibrate

1. Power up the robot using the chosen power source.
2. Observe the robot’s behavior as you move your hand closer to the ultrasonic sensor. The robot’s arm should perform the Namaste gesture when an object is detected within the specified range.
3. Adjust the distance threshold and servo angles in the code to achieve the desired behavior.

Step 7: Finalize the Assembly

1. Mount the components securely inside the robot body.
2. Ensure that the servo arm movement and sensor detection are unobstructed.