Claw Machine Game

Project Overview

A functional claw machine game built using VEX Robotics components and programmed for precise control and user interaction.

Key Features

Gallery

Tinkercad Code

#include <Servo.h>

// === Pin Definitions ===
// Buttons (wired with pull-down resistors)
const int btnLeftPin    = 2;
const int btnRightPin   = 3;
const int btnForwardPin = 4;
const int btnBackPin    = 5;
const int btnDropPin    = 6;

// Motor driver pins (L298-style H-bridge)
const int xDirPin   = 7;  // X-axis direction
const int xPwrPin   = 9;  // X-axis PWM (enable)
const int yDirPin   = 8;  // Y-axis direction
const int yPwrPin   = 10; // Y-axis PWM
const int zDirPin   = 11; // Z-axis (vertical) direction
const int zPwrPin   = 12; // Z-axis PWM

// Servo for claw open/close
const int clawServoPin = 13;
Servo clawServo;

// Claw positions
const int CLAW_OPEN_POS   = 0;   // degrees
const int CLAW_CLOSED_POS = 90;  // degrees

void setup() {
  // Configure button inputs
  pinMode(btnLeftPin,    INPUT);
  pinMode(btnRightPin,   INPUT);
  pinMode(btnForwardPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(btnBackPin,    INPUT);
  pinMode(btnDropPin,    INPUT);

  // Configure motor outputs
  pinMode(xDirPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(xPwrPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(yDirPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(yPwrPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(zDirPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(zPwrPin, OUTPUT);

  // Initialize motors off
  analogWrite(xPwrPin, 0);
  analogWrite(yPwrPin, 0);
  analogWrite(zPwrPin, 0);

  // Attach and initialize claw servo
  clawServo.attach(clawServoPin);
  clawServo.write(CLAW_OPEN_POS);

  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  // Read buttons (HIGH when pressed)
  bool left    = digitalRead(btnLeftPin);
  bool right   = digitalRead(btnRightPin);
  bool forward = digitalRead(btnForwardPin);
  bool back    = digitalRead(btnBackPin);
  bool drop    = digitalRead(btnDropPin);

  // X-axis control
  if (left) {
    digitalWrite(xDirPin, LOW);       // direction: left
    analogWrite(xPwrPin, 200);        // speed (0–255)
  }
  else if (right) {
    digitalWrite(xDirPin, HIGH);      // direction: right
    analogWrite(xPwrPin, 200);
  }
  else {
    analogWrite(xPwrPin, 0);          // stop X-axis
  }

  // Y-axis control
  if (forward) {
    digitalWrite(yDirPin, LOW);       // direction: forward
    analogWrite(yPwrPin, 200);
  }
  else if (back) {
    digitalWrite(yDirPin, HIGH);      // direction: back
    analogWrite(yPwrPin, 200);
  }
  else {
    analogWrite(yPwrPin, 0);          // stop Y-axis
  }

  // Z-axis (vertical) always moves when drop button is held
  if (drop) {
    // Lower claw to pick up
    digitalWrite(zDirPin, LOW);
    analogWrite(zPwrPin, 200);
  } else {
    // Raise claw back up
    digitalWrite(zDirPin, HIGH);
    analogWrite(zPwrPin, 200);
  }

  // Claw open/close action when drop is pressed
  if (drop) {
    clawServo.write(CLAW_CLOSED_POS);
  } else {
    clawServo.write(CLAW_OPEN_POS);
  }

  delay(10); // Debounce & loop pacing
}