SENSORS/ACTUATORS

Arduino Nano - Touch Sensor - Servo Motor

This tutorial instructs you how to use Arduino Nano and touch sensor to control servo motor. In detail:

When the touch sensor is touched, Arduino Nano rotates the servo motor to 90 degrees
When the touch sensor is touched again, Arduino Nano rotates the servo motor back to 0 degrees.

The same steps are carried out again.

Hardware Preparation

1	×	Arduino Nano
1	×	USB A to Mini-B USB cable
1	×	Touch Sensor
1	×	Servo Motor
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	(Optional) 9V Power Adapter for Arduino Nano
1	×	(Recommended) Screw Terminal Adapter for Arduino Nano

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may receive a commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. We appreciate your support.

Overview of Servo Motor and Touch Sensor

If you are unfamiliar with servo motors and touch sensors (including pinouts, how they operate, and how to program them), the following tutorials can help:

Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

It should be noted that the wiring diagram shown above is only suitable for a servo motor with low torque. In case the motor vibrates instead of rotating, an external power source must be utilized to operate the servo motor. The following wiring diagram demonstrates how to connect the servo motor to an external power source.

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Please do not forget to connect GND of the external power to GND of Arduino.

Arduino Nano Code - Touch Sensor Controls Servo Motor

/* * This Arduino Nano code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano/arduino-nano-touch-sensor-servo-motor */ #include <Servo.h> #define TOUCH_SENSOR_PIN 2 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the touch sensor #define SERVO_PIN 9 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the servo motor Servo servo; // create servo object to control a servo int angle = 0; // The current angle of servo motor int prev_touch_state; // The previous state of touch sensor int touch_state; // The current state of touch sensor void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize the Serial to communicate with the Serial Monitor. pinMode(TOUCH_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT); // set arduino pin to input mode servo.attach(SERVO_PIN); // attaches the servo on pin 9 to the servo object servo.write(angle); touch_state = digitalRead(TOUCH_SENSOR_PIN); } void loop() { prev_touch_state = touch_state; // save the last state touch_state = digitalRead(TOUCH_SENSOR_PIN); // read new state if (prev_touch_state == LOW && touch_state == HIGH) { Serial.println("The sensor is touched"); // change angle of servo motor if (angle == 0) angle = 90; else if (angle == 90) angle = 0; // rotate the servo motor to the angle position servo.write(angle); } }

Detailed Instructions

Connect your Arduino Nano to a computer using a USB cable.
Launch the Arduino IDE, select the correct board type and port.
Copy the code above and open it in the Arduino IDE.
Click the Upload button in the Arduino IDE to send the code to the Arduino Nano.
Tap the touch sensor multiple times.
Check out the servo motor's angle changing.

Video Tutorial

Function References

Learn More

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