EZ-B V3 by EZ-Robot
This page explains what the EZ-B v3 is, what it can do, and how a beginner can get connected in ARC.
What the EZ-B v3 Is (Beginner Overview)
The EZ-B v3 is a small microcontroller board designed for robotics. Think of it as the “brain connector” between your computer (running ARC) and robot parts like servos, sensors, LEDs, and motors. Instead of writing firmware or uploading sketches like some other controllers, you typically connect ARC to the EZ-B v3 over Bluetooth and then control ports using ARC’s tools and scripts.
Why people liked EZ-Robot controllers
EZ-Robot hardware was designed as an all-in-one hardware + software robotics platform. The EZ-B v3 includes helpful built-in circuitry (like regulation and wireless), and ARC provides an easy way to control the board without needing a separate hardware programmer.
EZ-Robot Advantages
The EZ-B v3 was designed as a reusable robotics controller. Many builders created multiple robots and simply moved the same controller from one project to another. The board combines several robotics-friendly features in one place, such as:
- Voltage regulation to help provide stable power for the controller (and in many builds, servos/sensors depending on wiring)
- Bluetooth wireless communication so ARC can connect without a USB cable
- Digital I/O for switches, LEDs, and general on/off signals
- Analog inputs (ADC) for reading sensors that output a variable voltage
- Servo control ports for controlling RC servos
- Serial interfaces for modules that communicate over TTL serial
- TellyMate interface support (legacy feature used by some older builds)
EZ-Robot Features (Specifications)
Common features of the EZ-B v3 include:
- Compact in size
- Does not require a hardware programmer
- EZ-B is shipped pre-assembled
- Optional XBee/Synapse/WiFi long-distance communication (requires the correct add-on hardware)
- Wireless Class 2 (2.5 mW, 4 dBm) Bluetooth (~10 m / 30 ft typical range)
- iRobot Roomba support
- Arduino shield support for sensors & peripherals
- 8 analog-to-digital converter (ADC) inputs
- 20 standard serial TTL ports (9600, 19200, 38400, 57600)
- 1 high-speed serial TTL port (115200)
- 20 digital input/output ports
- 20 servo ports
Getting Connected in ARC (Beginner-Friendly Steps)
The EZ-B v3 connects to ARC through Bluetooth. The exact steps vary slightly by Windows version and Bluetooth adapter, but the overall flow is:
1) Power the EZ-B v3
- Connect a proper battery or power source as recommended for your EZ-B v3 setup.
- Confirm the board powers on (LED indicators may vary by revision).
- Keep the board close to your computer for initial pairing.
2) Pair Bluetooth in Windows
- Open Windows Bluetooth settings and choose Add a device.
- Select the EZ-B v3 when it appears.
- If asked for a PIN, try common defaults such as 1234 or 0000 (depends on module/firmware).
- After pairing, Windows typically assigns a COM port.
3) Find the COM Port
- Open Device Manager in Windows.
- Look under Ports (COM & LPT).
- Find the Bluetooth serial port assigned to the EZ-B (example: COM5).
4) Connect from ARC
- Open ARC.
- Add the proper EZ-B connection (or choose the COM port in the connection settings).
- Select the COM port you found (example: COM5) and connect.
- Once connected, you can add controls (servo control, ADC graphs, digital controls, etc.).
- Can’t find the EZ-B in Bluetooth: verify the EZ-B is powered, try moving closer, and restart Bluetooth on the PC.
- ARC won’t connect: confirm the correct COM port, disconnect other serial apps, and re-pair the device if needed.
- Frequent disconnects/resets: this is commonly caused by insufficient power (battery sag under servo/motor load).
Connection Video Tutorial (Legacy)
The EZ-B v3 is discontinued, but ARC still supports it. The video below is an older tutorial, but it remains one of the closest demonstrations of connecting an EZ-B v3 to ARC.
Wow. Thanks Dave. I had no idea that the robot shop had them. And i buy stuff off there already.