Design and Implementation of an Autonomous Mobile Robot for Obstacle Avoidance and Path Following

This paper presents the design and implementation of an autonomous mobile robot developed to perform reliable obstacle avoidance and path-following tasks using low-cost sensors and components. The robot employs an Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller integrated with infrared (IR) and ultrasonic sensors for real-time detection and navigation. A calibrated 73° ultrasonic orientation was adopted to enhance lateral coverage and minimize blind zones. The robot’s mobility is achieved using DC motors controlled through pulse-width modulation (PWM), while a GPS–GSM module provides telemetry for remote tracking. Experimental results confirmed obstacle detection within 12–13 cm and consistent path recovery under IR feedback. The proposed system demonstrates that robust autonomous navigation can be achieved, offering a flexible and reproducible platform for academic research and robotics education. This design also serves as an accessible reference for undergraduate robotics courses.