MOTORplate
Best motion control solution for advanced robotics and automation enthusiasts.
Elevate your Raspberry Pi projects with the MOTORplate, an add-on board designed for professional motion control. It features a dedicated onboard microprocessor to handle complex tasks like acceleration trajectories and microstepping, freeing up your Raspberry Pi. This versatile board can drive two stepper motors or four DC motors, with an onboard processor managing all the heavy lifting. Its stackable design allows for up to eight units, expanding your project's capabilities significantly. The MOTORplate ensures efficient motor driving and minimal Raspberry Pi pin usage, making it an ideal solution for advanced robotics and automation.
$33.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
407
/ 1545
#407 in Development Boards
Price vs Category Average
-61%
Below average
Motor Drive Capability
24
/ Stepper Motors or DC Motors
Who it's for
- Makers building complex systems with multiple add-on boards
- Robotics hobbyists needing diverse motor and servo control
- Python developers seeking quick and easy hardware integration
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious hobbyists preferring low-cost driver components
- Users wanting a simple, single-source power setup
- Engineers requiring access to GPIO pins for additional sensors
Performance breakdown
Motion Control Precision
Dedicated RP2040 processor handles complex trajectories with professional-grade accuracy.
System Scalability
Stacking up to eight boards allows for massive, multi-motor project expansion.
Raspberry Pi Efficiency
Offloading heavy lifting preserves critical Pi resources for other tasks.
Integration Ease
Terminal blocks and minimal pin usage simplify complex wiring setups significantly.
Power Versatility
Flexible input options accommodate diverse power requirements for demanding robotics.
Developer Support
Comprehensive example code and guides accelerate the path from prototype to production.
Key Specs
Motor Drive Capability
2 Stepper Motors or 4 DC Motors
Maximum Output Current
1.2 A (average), 3.2 A (peak)
Stackable Design
Supports up to 8 boards
Dedicated Onboard Processor for Motion Control
Power Input Options
Raspberry Pi 5VDC or Dedicated Input (15V MAX)
Low Standby Current
Less than 10mA DC
I/O Protection
ESD and overvoltage protected inputs
Pin Usage
Requires only two dedicated RPi pins
Features
- Offloads motor control to dedicated processor
- Scalable with stackable design
- Efficient motor driving with MOS transistors
- Auxiliary power input with protection
- Compatible with other Pi-Plates
- Easy sensor connection via terminal blocks
- Minimal Raspberry Pi pin usage
- Includes example code and guides
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the MOTORplate for its exceptional ease of use. Integrating this motor controller with the Raspberry Pi is remarkably simple, often described as plug and play. The provided software libraries are intuitive, allowing users to quickly implement complex motor control projects without a steep learning curve. Furthermore, users report high reliability, noting that the board maintains consistent performance even under continuous operation. This combination of straightforward setup and dependable function makes the MOTORplate a highly valued component for robotics and automation enthusiasts.
Know before you buy
A single MOTORplate can independently control up to two stepper motors or four DC motors, depending on your project requirements.
No, the board is designed to be efficient and only requires two dedicated Raspberry Pi pins to operate, leaving the rest of your GPIO header available for other sensors or add-ons.
Yes, the board features a stackable design that allows you to connect up to eight MOTORplates together, enabling control for a large number of motors from a single Raspberry Pi.
While it can be powered by the Raspberry Pi, it includes an auxiliary power input that supports up to 15V. Using a dedicated power supply is recommended for driving multiple motors to ensure stable performance and protect your Raspberry Pi.
The onboard microprocessor handles complex tasks like acceleration trajectories and microstepping locally. This offloads the heavy lifting from your Raspberry Pi, ensuring smooth motor movement without taxing your Pi's CPU.
Yes, the MOTORplate is designed to be fully compatible with other boards in the Pi-Plates ecosystem, allowing you to easily integrate motion control with other hardware features.
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$34