Product description
Maker Drive is a compact and beginner-friendly motor driver designed specifically for brushed DC motors. It offers robust protection, built-in testing features, and wide compatibility with both entry-level and advanced microcontroller platforms. Its design prioritises simplicity and reliability, making it well-suited for educational use, prototyping, and compact embedded systems.
Many entry-level motor drivers present a number of limitations. They often lack protection against reverse polarity, are physically too large for compact builds, or require separate power sources for the motor and controller. This not only increases complexity but can lead to damaged components and frustrating delays during development and learning. Maker Drive addresses these issues directly. With built-in reverse polarity protection on the motor power input, the risk of accidental damage is significantly reduced. The physical size allows it to fit easily into space-constrained applications such as small robots.
One of Maker Drive’s standout features is its integrated manual test buttons, allowing motors to be operated in both directions without requiring any programming or controller connection. This function is particularly useful in educational environments and initial testing phases. The inclusion of status indicator LEDs makes it easier to verify signal outputs and troubleshoot connection issues quickly and visually, even before software development begins.
Another key feature is the onboard buck-boost regulator, which provides a stable 5V output even when the input voltage is as low as 2.5V. This enables both the motor and microcontroller to be powered from a single low-voltage source such as two AA batteries, simplifying power management in portable or battery-operated projects. For applications requiring precise speed control, such as line-following robots, Maker Drive supports regenerative braking, offering better deceleration characteristics than conventional coast-stop behaviour.
Although Maker Drive is not an Arduino shield, it is fully compatible with a wide range of popular microcontrollers including Maker UNO, Arduino UNO R3, Mega 2560, Nano, and also platforms such as ESP32, Raspberry Pi, and micro:bit. It accepts control logic voltages from 1.8V up to 5V, ensuring smooth integration across different systems and voltage levels.
An additional benefit is the ability to drive small stepper motors, expanding its use to multi-motor and position-based control applications without requiring additional driver modules. This makes Maker Drive a versatile option for compact automation and robotics.
Maker Drive is compatible with a wide range of brushed DC motors rated between 2.5V and 9.5V, as long as the continuous current does not exceed 1.0A and peak current remains under 1.5A. Commonly used motors include TT gear motors, micro metal gearmotors, and motors found in basic robot kits such as those from Tamiya.
Whether in a classroom, a lab, or a maker space, Maker Drive provides a balanced combination of performance, usability, and protection, suitable for projects that demand both reliability and ease of use.
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Dual-channel, bidirectional motor control
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Motor voltage input: 2.5V to 9.5V DC
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Continuous current: 1.0A, peak current: 1.5A (for short durations)
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Regulated 5V output (200mA) for powering microcontrollers or peripherals
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Control logic voltage compatibility: 1.8V to 5V
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PWM frequency support up to 20 kHz
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Dimensions: 43 mm × 35 mm × 14 mm