Gravity: IO Expansion & Motor Driver Shield

The Gravity: IO Expansion & Motor Driver Shield combines standard IO breakout connectivity and a dual DC motor driver into a single Arduino-compatible board. It is an ideal all-in-one platform for students, makers, and hobbyists building small robotic vehicles and automated projects.

Integrated dual DC motor driver

Powered by an onboard TB6612FNG driver, this shield runs two DC motors simultaneously with PWM speed control using pins D4 through D7. Each channel supports 1.2A continuous current with a peak current up to 3.2A, drawing power directly from the Vin port up to a 12V maximum.

Gravity plug-and-play sensor breakout

The board breaks out 14 digital interfaces and 6 analog interfaces using colour-coded Gravity 3-pin headers. It also includes 2 I2C ports, 2 SPI ports, and a dedicated UART serial connection for connecting standard sensors and peripherals without breadboards.

Wireless module expansion slot

An integrated XBee socket allows direct connection of wireless modules, including standard XBee, WiFi Bee, and Bluetooth Bee units. This simplifies the addition of remote control and telemetry to mobile robotic platforms.

Dedicated program download switch

An onboard programming switch isolates the serial line to avoid communication conflicts during code uploads to an Arduino UNO or Mega. This eliminates the need to remove wireless modules or disconnect serial peripherals whenever you flash new firmware.

Standard form factor and specifications

Designed to match the Arduino UNO R3 pinout, the shield measures 68.5mm by 53.3mm and weighs 36g. It provides a compact, unified footprint suitable for standard mobile robot chassis.

Downloads & documentation

• Product wiki (DFRobot)
• Schematic