Adafruit Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield for Arduino

A single shield can independently control up to four DC motors, two stepper motors, or two hobby servos. Because the board is stackable, you can combine multiple shields to control dozens of motors from a single Arduino.

No, it is very efficient. It uses an I2C interface, which means it only requires two data pins (SDA and SCL) on your Arduino to control all the connected motors.

The TB6612 MOSFET drivers provide a continuous current capacity of 1.2A per bridge, with a peak capacity of 3A. This is generally sufficient for most small-to-medium robotics projects, but be sure to check your motor's stall current specifications.

It is designed as a standard Arduino shield and is fully compatible with the Uno, Leonardo, Mega R3, and Due. If you are using a different microcontroller, you can still use the board as long as it supports I2C communication.

Yes, you should provide an external power supply for the motors. While the Arduino powers the logic on the shield, the motors require their own power source—typically between 4.5V and 13.5V—to operate safely and effectively.

The board includes built-in polarity protection, which helps prevent damage if you accidentally connect your power supply wires in reverse. It also features thermal protection to safeguard the MOSFET drivers during operation.