K1071 Dual Motor Driver Module – L293D

K1071 Dual Motor Driver Module – L293D

The K1071 Dual Motor Driver Module is a versatile motor-control board designed to control the speed and direction of one or two small DC motors. It can be used as a standalone motor driver module with a suitable microcontroller or control system, or connected to SES PICAXE Starter Modules, including the K1084 PICAXE 14M2 Starter Module.
Built around the popular L293D dual H-bridge motor driver IC, the K1071 allows low-power microcontroller signals to control motors that require more current than a microcontroller output can safely provide directly. Each motor can be independently controlled, allowing it to run forwards, backwards or stop. Motor speed can also be controlled using a suitable PWM signal from the microcontroller.
Independent control of two motors makes the K1071 particularly useful for two-wheel and differential-drive robots. By changing the direction and speed of the left and right motors, students can program a vehicle to move forwards, reverse, turn, curve or pivot.
Terminal blocks provide secure connections for motors and power, while the modular design allows the K1071 to be reused across a wide range of robotics, automation and motor-control projects.

Key Features

• Controls one or two DC motors independently
• Can operate as a standalone motor driver module
• Can be used with SES PICAXE suitable Starter Modules
• Suitable for the K1084  14M2 Starter Module
• L293D dual H-bridge motor driver IC
• Forward and reverse motor control
• Independent control of two motors
• Motor speed control using suitable PWM signals
• Suitable for differential-drive robots and vehicles
• Terminal blocks for secure motor and power connections
• Motor noise suppression capacitor
• IC socket allows the L293D to be installed or replaced without soldering the IC directly to the PCB
• Reusable across multiple robotics and electronics projects

What’s Included

• 1 × K1071 Printed Circuit Board
• 1 × L293D Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC
• 1 × 16-pin IC socket
• Motor noise suppression capacitor
• Terminal block connections
Assembly required. Microcontroller, motors, batteries and external connecting wires are not included unless specified separately.

Standalone or SES Starter Module Operation

The K1071 does not need to be used exclusively with an SES Starter Module. It can operate as a separate motor driver board when connected to a compatible microcontroller or electronic control system that provides the required direction and enable/control signals.
This gives students and teachers flexibility when developing projects. The same K1071 can be used with an SES PICAXE Starter Module for structured classroom activities or incorporated into a student-designed control system for more advanced projects.

Why Do You Need a Motor Driver?

A microcontroller is designed to produce relatively small electrical control signals. A DC motor generally requires considerably more current than a microcontroller output can safely supply.
The K1071 acts as the interface between the microcontroller and the motors.
The microcontroller determines what the motor should do, while the L293D switches the motor current according to those instructions.
This allows students to understand an important principle in control electronics: a microcontroller does not normally power a motor directly—it controls a motor driver, which then controls the motor.

How the L293D H-Bridge Works

The L293D contains two H-bridge motor drivers.
An H-bridge allows the polarity applied across a DC motor to be electronically reversed. Reversing the polarity changes the direction in which the motor rotates.
Using suitable control signals from a PICAXE or another compatible microcontroller, each motor can be commanded to:
• Run forwards
• Run backwards
• Stop
• Change speed using suitable PWM control
Because the L293D contains two H-bridges, the K1071 can independently control two DC motors.

Motor Speed Control

In addition to changing motor direction, a microcontroller can use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control motor speed.
Rather than simply supplying a continuous ON or OFF control signal, PWM rapidly switches the motor-control signal. Changing the duty cycle changes the average power delivered to the motor, allowing different motor speeds to be achieved.
Students can experiment with different PWM values to investigate how software changes the physical speed and behaviour of a motor.

Build a Differential-Drive Robot

One of the most useful applications for the K1071 is controlling a two-wheel differential-drive robot.
One motor controls the left wheel and the second motor controls the right wheel. By independently controlling the two motors, students can create different vehicle movements.
For example:
• Forward – both motors run forwards
• Reverse – both motors run backwards
• Turn Left – reduce or stop the left motor while the right motor continues
• Turn Right – reduce or stop the right motor while the left motor continues
• Curve – run the motors at different speeds
• Pivot – run one motor forwards and the other backwards
This provides an excellent introduction to robotic movement and programmable vehicle control.

Input – Process – Output

The K1071 can form part of an Input–Process–Output control system.
Input: A switch, LDR, infrared receiver, distance sensor or another compatible sensor detects information.
Process: A PICAXE or other microcontroller processes the input according to the student’s program.
Output: The K1071 receives the control signals and drives one or two DC motors.
For example, a robot could detect an obstacle using a sensor. The microcontroller could then stop one motor and reverse the other, causing the robot to turn away from the obstacle.

Common Applications

• Two-wheel robots
• Differential-drive robots
• Line-following robots
• Obstacle-avoiding robots
• Autonomous vehicles
• Model vehicles
• Motorised mechanisms
• Automated systems
• Sensor-controlled projects
• PICAXE projects
• Arduino-compatible projects
• STEM robotics activities

Classroom Use / Learning Outcomes

Students can use the K1071 to:
• Control the direction of DC motors
• Control two motors independently
• Experiment with PWM motor speed control
• Understand how an H-bridge operates
• Learn why motors require a motor driver
• Investigate motor polarity and direction
• Connect programming with physical movement
• Build two-wheel robotic vehicles
• Program forward, reverse and turning movements
• Integrate sensors with motor control
• Develop autonomous robotic systems
• Test and troubleshoot motor-control circuits
• Modify programs to improve robot performance

Teacher Benefits

• Practical introduction to DC motor control
• Suitable for standalone projects or SES Starter Modules
• Connects programming directly with physical movement
• Demonstrates H-bridge operation in a practical application
• Allows progressive activities from simple motor control to robotics
• Reusable across multiple student projects
• Suitable for structured exercises and open-ended design briefs
• Provides opportunities for programming, troubleshooting and experimentation
• Integrates easily into STEM, robotics and Systems Engineering activities

Curriculum Links

The K1071 can support Australian secondary school learning activities involving:
• Engineering principles and systems
• Electronic control systems
• Input–Process–Output systems
• Algorithms and programming
• Robotics and automation
• Motors and mechanical systems
• Testing and evaluation
• Design and development of solutions
Teachers can select the appropriate curriculum outcomes for their state, year level and particular classroom activity.

Perfect For

• Two-wheel robots
• Differential-drive robots
• Line-following robots
• Obstacle-avoiding robots
• PICAXE programming projects
• Arduino-compatible projects
• K1084 PICAXE Starter Module projects
• DC motor experiments
• Motor speed and direction control
• Robotics
• STEM
• Design and Technologies
• Systems Engineering
• Student design briefs