This is the result of a small mechatronics project I've working on for a few weeks to help broaden my software development skills.

It consists of 4 main components; a Python Flask app, a Raspberry Pi, an Arduino Uno, and an off the shelf robot arm.

The Flask app runs on the RPi and uses the GPIO pins to send HIGH/LOW values to the Arduino. The Arduino then outputs a corresponding HIGH/LOW value to the appropriate channel on the attached relay board. Each relay channel controls a different motor direction on the robot arm and to simplify things the relays are connected to the existing arm remote switches.

As shown in the video below, I've connected my laptop to the RPi via a shared network connection so I can demonstrate the project more easily.

Python Flask app running on a #raspberrypi controlling a #robot arm via an #arduino and relay board.

A video posted by Peter Wallhead (@peterwallhead) on

Both the Arduino code and the Flask app code are available on my GitHub.