user28710: Reason for question:
My son is working on a project to build a robot controlled by an arduino uno. This question is more about terminology than process, but since terms are very important at this level, I rather ask some expert advice - I have not found any input on the internet about this!
Question:
What is the correct technical name (if any) of the circuit board that acts as the interface between the arduino-uno (a micro-controller) and the motors (the external devices)? According to the definition of a motherboard*, this "interface" circuit board would act as a very basic motherboard, as it would "allow communication" between the components, but it would not contain expansion slots, so should it be called something else?
Background on project:
The robot will be very basic. A body will be made of plastic legs and motors for joints; an Arduino-uno will provide the logic for motor movement; and a custom circuit board (hence my question) will act as the interface between the uno and the motors, providing electricity from a dedicated source to the motors.
We are just missing the proper terminology to use for this "interface" board and I cannot find any concrete info online or on books. If I get good terms in this post, then we can do further research on those terms. Thanks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard

user10794: I would call it an "interface" or "driver" board. You don't need to get too hung up on the exact name.
The word "shield" is one of the Arduino-peculiar words (like "sketch" for "code") which now has a generally-understood meaning. That meaning is, something that plugs directly onto the Arduino board, with the pins on the shield matching the sockets on the Arduino board.
Whilst a shield is a quick and easy way of getting started (because you don't need to wire anything) they can have their disadvantages. One being, what if you want two different functions, like a motor driver and an Ethernet interface? Two shields, one on top of the other? What if they both use a certain pin for different purposes?
I made up a radio-controlled car, see photo:

The only shield I used was a generic "put whatever you want onto it" shield, which let me mount some MOSFETs, a radio receiver board, and other components, as required by the design. There is a Uno underneath it, not particularly easy to see. Adjacent on the right is a motor driver board. A LiPo battery is slung underneath.
This kept things reasonably compact, without requiring a specific purpose-made shield which only does one thing.

and a custom circuit board (hence my question) will act as the interface between the uno and the motors, providing electricity from a dedicated source to the motors.

It sounds like your project is similar to my car. Just assemble things in a way that makes sense to you.

28710: <p><strong>Reason for question:</strong>
My son is working on a project to build a robot controlled by an arduino uno. This question is more about terminology than process, but since terms are very important at this level, I rather ask some expert advice - I have not found any input on the internet about this!</p>

<p><strong>Question:</strong>
What is the correct technical name (if any) of the circuit board that acts as the interface between the arduino-uno (a micro-controller) and the motors (the external devices)? According to the definition of a motherboard*, this "interface" circuit board would act as a very basic motherboard, as it would "allow communication" between the components, but it would not contain expansion slots, so should it be called something else?</p>

<p><strong>Background on project:</strong>
The robot will be very basic. A body will be made of plastic legs and motors for joints; an Arduino-uno will provide the logic for motor movement; and a custom circuit board (hence my question) will act as the interface between the uno and the motors, providing electricity from a dedicated source to the motors.</p>

<p>We are just missing the proper terminology to use for this "interface" board and I cannot find any concrete info online or on books. If I get good terms in this post, then we can do further research on those terms. Thanks.</p>

<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard</a></p>
 10794: <p>I would call it an &quot;interface&quot; or &quot;driver&quot; board. You don't need to get too hung up on the exact name.</p>
<p>The word &quot;shield&quot; is one of the Arduino-peculiar words (like &quot;sketch&quot; for &quot;code&quot;) which now has a generally-understood meaning. That meaning is, something that plugs directly onto the Arduino board, with the pins on the shield matching the sockets on the Arduino board.</p>
<p>Whilst a shield is a quick and easy way of getting started (because you don't need to wire anything) they can have their disadvantages. One being, what if you want two different functions, like a motor driver and an Ethernet interface? Two shields, one on top of the other? What if they both use a certain pin for different purposes?</p>
<p>I made up a <a href="http://www.gammon.com.au/forum/?id=11506" rel="nofollow noreferrer">radio-controlled car</a>, see photo:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/hOUf1.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/hOUf1.jpg" alt="Radio-controlled car" /></a></p>
<p>The only shield I used was a generic &quot;put whatever you want onto it&quot; shield, which let me mount some MOSFETs, a radio receiver board, and other components, as required by the design. There is a Uno underneath it, not particularly easy to see. Adjacent on the right is a motor driver board. A LiPo battery is slung underneath.</p>
<p>This kept things reasonably compact, without requiring a specific purpose-made shield which only does one thing.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>and a custom circuit board (hence my question) will act as the interface between the uno and the motors, providing electricity from a dedicated source to the motors.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It sounds like your project is similar to my car. Just assemble things in a way that makes sense to you.</p>
