DFRobot
Gravity: IO Expansion Shield for Arduino V7.1
The DFRobot Gravity IO Expansion Shield V7.1 simplifies Arduino prototyping by breaking out all digital and analogue pins into colour-coded 3-pin (Signal, Vo...
The DFRobot Gravity IO Expansion Shield V7.1 simplifies Arduino prototyping by breaking out all digital and analogue pins into colour-coded 3-pin (Signal, Voltage, Ground) Gravity connectors. Plug in sensors, actuators, and modules directly — no soldering or breadboard wiring required.
Version 7.1 adds a 3.3 V/5 V voltage selection jumper for compatibility with boards like the Arduino Due and Raspberry Pi, an external servo power input with protective diode, and a convenient serial switch that lets you program your ATmega328-based boards (such as the Uno) without disconnecting XBee or other serial devices.
Key Features
- Colour-Coded Gravity Connectors – 3-pin headers for all digital and analogue pins, clearly labelled
- 3.3 V / 5 V Selectable – Jumper-configurable operating voltage for broader board compatibility
- XBee Socket – On-board socket for XBee, Bluetooth, APC220, and other wireless modules
- Serial Programming Switch – Toggle between programming mode and serial device communication without rewiring
- External Servo Power – Dedicated servo power input (4.8–6 V) with protective diode
- External Power Input – PWR_IN terminal for 7–12 V power supplies
- On-Board LED and Reset – LED on pin 13 and reset button for convenience
- Immersion Gold Finish – High-quality PCB surface for reliable connections
Specifications
- Input Voltage – 7–12 V (PWR_IN), 4.8–6 V (SERVO_PWR)
- Module Voltage – 3.3 V or 5 V (selectable)
- Supported Interfaces – I2C, SPI, XBee (XBee Pro), Bluetooth, APC220
- Compatible Boards – Arduino Uno, Mega, Due, Leonardo, and other standard-footprint boards
Ideal For
- Rapid robotics and IoT prototyping
- Classroom and workshop environments
- DFRobot Gravity sensor and actuator projects
- Wireless communication with XBee or Bluetooth modules
Package Contents
- 1× IO Expansion Shield for Arduino V7.1
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- Gravity
- Gravity is DFRobot’s plug-in connector system for sensors, motors and modules, using standard cables to reduce loose jumper wiring. It matters because Gravity-compatible parts can connect directly to these ports, while non-Gravity parts may need adapters or manual wiring.
- Headers
- Rows of metal pins used to plug a module into a breadboard or connect it with jumper wires. Pre-soldered headers make the module easier to use straight away without needing to solder the pins yourself.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- IoT
- Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
- servo
- A servo is a motor with built-in position control, usually told to move to a specific angle by a control signal. It matters when you need repeatable movement, such as steering, arms, flaps, or linkages, rather than continuous spinning.
- Shield
- An add-on board that plugs into a main controller board to give it extra features such as sensing, motor control or communication. Knowing a product supports shields helps you judge whether it can connect neatly into an existing maker-board setup.
- SPI
- A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
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Brands
Prototyping & Wiring
Supplier page — dfrobot.com
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