Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Robot with the MonkMakes RRB2 Kit – A Detailed Guide

The MonkMakes RRB2 robot kit is a turnkey solution for hobbyists and educators alike. Designed around the RaspiRobot Board v2 (RRB2), it delivers reliable motor control, power management, and sensor integration—all in one compact chassis.

Overview

• Laser‑cut robot platform with integrated gearmotor mounts
• Two gearmotors and a 6‑cell AA battery holder
• RaspiRobot Board v2 (RRB2) – plugs directly into the Raspberry Pi, supplies up to 2 A via a switch‑mode power supply, and drives the motors
• HC‑SR‑04 ultrasonic rangefinder for obstacle detection
• Self‑adhesive Velcro pads for the battery box

Construction

The assembly process is broken into three phases: chassis assembly, Raspberry Pi installation, and software setup.

Step 1: Verify the Packing List

Bolts come in three sizes: short (8 mm), medium (12 mm, M2.5), and long (30 mm). Short and long bolts share the same nuts, while the medium bolts use smaller M2.5 nuts.

• Chassis components:
  • 1 laser‑cut platform
  • 2 gearmotors
  • 2 wheels
  • 1 castor
  • 8 short (8 mm) bolts for gearmotor assemblies and castor
  • 4 brass spacers (10 mm) for castor mounting
  • 8 nuts for short/long bolts
  • 2 medium (12 mm) M2.5 bolts for Raspberry Pi attachment
  • 2 nuts for medium bolts
  • 4 long (30 mm) bolts for gearmotor assemblies
  • 2 metal plates for gearmotors
• Other components:
  • 1 RaspiRobot Board v2
  • 1 HC‑SR‑04 ultrasonic rangefinder
  • 1 6‑cell AA battery holder
  • 2 self‑adhesive Velcro™ pads

Step 2: Remove the Protective Film

Carefully peel off the paper coating from both sides of the laser‑cut acrylic chassis before proceeding.

Step 3: Mount the Castor

Insert a small bolt through each of the castor’s four holes, thread a nut on the rear, and tighten with pliers while holding the bolt in place with a screwdriver. Attach the remaining length of bolt to the spacer and secure.

Step 4: Attach the Gearmotors

Fasten a metal plate to each gearmotor using the long bolts and nuts. Align the threaded holes on the plate with the chassis mounting points, ensuring consistent orientation. Secure the gearmotors so the motor ends face the castor, then attach the wheels. Avoid over‑tightening to prevent acrylic cracking.

Step 5: Mount the Raspberry Pi

Use the medium M2.5 bolts and nuts to secure the Raspberry Pi to the chassis. For revision 1 boards lacking mounting holes, employ an alternative mounting solution. Position the Pi on the chassis opposite the castor, threading one bolt through the wide center slot and the other through a side hole.

Step 6: Secure the Battery Box

Adhere the Velcro hook to the bottom of the battery holder in the positions shown. Peel the backing off the Velcro “loop” pads and attach them to the chassis. Snap the battery box onto the hooks to complete the power setup.

For more detailed instructions, visit Building the MonkMakes Raspberry Pi Robot Kit.