Pan-Tilt HAT for Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson Nano

This 2-DOF Pan-Tilt HAT provides smooth horizontal and vertical rotation for Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson Nano development boards. Controlled entirely over I2C, it is designed for students, makers, and roboticists building computer vision, tracking, and sensing applications.

I2C servo control via PCA9685

The onboard PCA9685 controller delivers 12-bit resolution PWM to accurately manage pan and tilt rotation. Using the I2C interface requires only two signal lines, while pass-through header pins keep remaining GPIO connections open for external components.

Integrated ambient light sensing

An onboard TSL25911FN ambient light sensor with 12-bit resolution mimics human eye spectral response for dynamic light detection. Integrated voltage level translators ensure safe operation across both 3.3V and 5V systems with 3.3V logic.

Vision tracking and obstacle avoidance

The two-axis movement enables camera tracking, image recognition, and surveillance projects. When paired with ultrasonic or infrared distance sensors, it can actively scan surroundings to help robots detect and avoid obstacles.

Single-board computer compatibility

The HAT connects directly to the 40-pin GPIO header of Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, and NVIDIA Jetson Nano boards. It is not compatible with Raspberry Pi 400, Raspberry Pi Pico, or Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4.

Dedicated camera mounting plate

A custom acrylic plate is included to mount a Raspberry Pi camera directly onto the tilt mechanism. The unit is supplied as an unassembled kit, and development boards and cameras are not included.

Modular mechanical assembly

The modular brackets assemble with standard hardware into a compact 56.6 by 65 mm unit. Its compact footprint makes it straightforward to integrate into desktop experiments or mobile robotic chassis.

Completed hardware configuration

When fully assembled and mounted onto the host controller, the HAT provides a stable two-axis platform for interactive robotics. It operates efficiently via direct GPIO power and standard bus communications.

Downloads & documentation

• Product wiki (DFRobot)