Control a servo connected to a Raspberry Pi using an Xbox controller

22 Jul, 2024

raspberry_servo_controller

Control a servo connected to a Raspberry Pi using an Xbox controller. Easy setup for testing.

Parts list:

• raspberry pi 4

• xbox controller

• power bank

• breadboard

• 100 µF capacitor

• servo

• jumper wires

  Diagram

  

Instructions

1. Prep Raspberry Pi (I used Raspberry OS Lite but I imagine most OS's should work)

2. Install dependancies

   sudo apt-get install -y evtest evdev
   

3. Pair controller

   bluetoothctl
   scan on
   pair XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
   trust XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
   connect XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
   

   Make note of the ID; eventX

4. Look at controller output

   sudo evtest /dev/input/eventX
   

5. Create python script

   vim ServoController.py
   

   copy paste (be sure to change 'eventX' to your controller id

   import evdev
   import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
   import time
   
   GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
   GPIO.setup(11,GPIO.OUT)
   servo = GPIO.PWM(11,50)
   servo.start(0)
   
   controllerInput = evdev.InputDevice("/dev/input/event0")
   
    for event in controllerInput.read_loop():
      if event.type == evdev.ecodes.EV_ABS:
        if event.code == evdev.ecodes.ABS_X:
          angle = 2 + (event.value / 6553.5)
          servo.ChangeDutyCycle(angle)
          print(angle)
   

6. Run script

   python3 ServoController.py
   

Thanks to Berardinux for the code and guide! XboxController_Servo_RaspberryPi
https://youtu.be/3Z6Bf0uV7tc?si=rzX2nBYM4o1anVEc