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

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Dan

https://github.com/dcs-ink/raspberry_servo_controller

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

1. 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

1. Look at controller output

   sudo evtest /dev/input/eventX

1. 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)

1. Run script

   python3 ServoController.py

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

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Dan