A Raspberry Pi Pico powered RC boat made from recycled bottles
A Raspberry Pi Pico-powered RC boat made from recycled bottles is the latest creation by Mr. Nr from YouTube channel Lily’s Planet, and it’s quite possibly the most adorable way to put your Pi to use. Named Niki, the boat utilizes the Raspberry Pi Pico as its driving force, allowing it to navigate the water with ease.
Using three contact lens solution containers and a water bottle, Mr. Nr creates the body of the boat, which is then controlled using a small DC motor and the versatile Raspberry Pi Pico. Bluetooth support, in the form of the LightBlue application, is incorporated to allow the Pi to be controlled from a smartphone, with the QT Design Studio also used to create user interfaces for the app.
Using a mobile app as a controller for a DIY RC boat might feel a bit passé, but Mr. Nr has developed a very streamlined interface that acts as a remote. Using three buttons, the app can be configured to control the boat’s direction and speed, and extraneous features such as lights and special effects can be added via the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins if you wish.
The body of the boat is constructed entirely from recycled bottles, with three contact lens solution containers joined together to create the structure. A water bottle cap and propeller are then attached to create the boat. The hardware is securely housed within the center bottle, ensuring protection from water damage.
There’s no denying that this is an incredibly charming creation, but its use of the Raspberry Pi Pico is no less impressive. Cost-effective, lightweight, and buoyant, the bottle-based chassis provides an excellent base for the RC boat.
If you’re looking to replicate this project, Mr. Nr has provided a detailed parts list, which includes the Raspberry Pi Pico, a dAISy HAT, a battery, a small DC motor, and three plastic bottles. You can check out the full demo below:
If you’re looking to get started with the Pi yourself, we have a handy Raspberry Pi Zero M guide, along with details on the best Raspberry Pi 3 model you can buy right now. You might also want to check out the coolest Raspberry Pi accessories, or maybe even the best Raspberry Pi cases around.
