What is a servo motor?

A motor that turns to an angle and holds it. Normal motors spin round and round. A servo turns to a position — left, middle or right — and stays there. That makes it perfect for steering: press left, the wheels turn left; let go, they come back to straight.

Try First RC Car (Servo) for free

Complete MightyCog booklet collection: 82 PDF booklets for $12.99. Instructions only; individual booklets remain free.

Explore the printable pack

Try it yourself

Press the remote gently and firmly — does the servo turn a little or a lot?

Build it: 6 builds that teach servo motor

  • 🎮 First RC Car (Servo): Your first remote-control car: one dial drives, the other dial steers. (level 4 of 5, about 50 minutes, 27 steps)
  • 🛵 Front-Drive Servo Trike: One front wheel does everything: its own motor drives it and the Servo swings it round. (level 4 of 5, about 50 minutes, 21 steps)
  • 🔒 Diff-Lock Mud Truck: Stuck in the mud? Slide the diff lock and both wheels are forced to turn together! (level 4 of 5, about 60 minutes, 33 steps)
  • 🤖 Robot Arm with Servo Claw: Swing, lift and grab! Three motors and a remote turn you into a factory robot operator. (level 4 of 5, about 60 minutes, 30 steps)
  • 🏆 Independent Rally Car: Every wheel on its own springy arm, a differential, universal joints and Ackermann steering. (level 5 of 5, about 90 minutes, 47 steps)
  • 🌐 AWD with Central Diff: All four wheels driven, with a differential in the MIDDLE of the car — like a rally car. (level 5 of 5, about 90 minutes, 28 steps)

In the classroom

Common engineering questions

How can I try servo motor at home?

Press the remote gently and firmly — does the servo turn a little or a lot?

Which builds teach servo motor?

6 MightyCog builds teach it: First RC Car (Servo), Front-Drive Servo Trike, Diff-Lock Mud Truck, Robot Arm with Servo Claw and Independent Rally Car and more. Start with First RC Car (Servo): 27 steps, about 50 minutes.

Ideas that go with it