If you thought the tiny, convenient 8-pin PICAXE-08M was handy, imaging combining it into a board with the really handy L293D motor driver IC.. This is about as simple as a board can get to let you conveniently drive 4 outputs from a PICAXE.

Features:

• PICAXE-08 microcontroller
• Programming jack
• 4 outputs on pins 0,1,2,3, which can drive up to 4 motors unidirectionally (one-way), or two motors bidirectionally

Specifications:

• L293D based motor driver
• 6VDC maximum input
• 800mA maximum drive current

But keep in mind that this is a simple board, and you are restricted to running it at a maximum of 6V, so that means your motor (or other loads) should not total more than 800mA at 4.5V (the L293D “eats” 1.5V).