Robots and Physical Computing: 2021

Friday 31 December 2021

Sunday 26 December 2021

Hug Avoider 4 - micropython, Eggbot and speech

The last of the posts on the Hug avoider and the 4Tronix's Eggbit

4Tronix's Eggbit (in fact I bought three of them https://shop.4tronix.co.uk/collections/bbc-micro-bit/products/eggbit-three-pack-special :-) recently) is a cute add-on for the microbit. In three previous posts I looked at eggbit using microcode to produce a hug avoider - warns when people at too close.

In this post using the buttons and adding (via Microbit V2 with its speaker) simple speech

1. Buttons

Pins for the buttons

pin8 - Green button
pin12 - Red button
pin14 - Yellow button
pin`6 - Blue button

if pin12.read_digital()==1:

#Red Button

blank_it()

if pin8.read_digital()==1:

#Green button

startingMessage()

if pin14.read_digital()==1:

#Yellow button

rainbow()

if pin16.read_digital()==1:

#Blue botton

display.show(Image.ASLEEP)

2. Speech

The basis on the code is take from https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/speech.html

mess1 = [

"This is the hug avoide",

"please keep back",

]

# Take from https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/speech.html

for line in mess1:

speech.say(line, speed=120, pitch=100, throat=100, mouth=200)

sleep(500

The speech is difficult to hear but is fun and there are possibly ways to improve this starting with the information on https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/speech.html

3. Overall

from microbit import *

from machine import time_pulse_us

import neopixel, speech

sonar =pin15

sonar.write_digital(0)

fireled=neopixel.NeoPixel(pin13,9)

def rainbow():

fireled[0] = (255, 0, 40)

fireled[1]= (255,165,0)

#block=yellow

fireled[2] = (255,255,0)

#block=green

fireled[3] = (0,255,0)

#block=blue

fireled [4] = (0,0,255)

# block=indigo

fireled[5] = (75,0,130)

# block=violet

fireled[6] = (138,43,178)

#block=purple

fireled[7] = (255,0,255)

fireled.show()

def blank_it():

for j in range(8):

fireled[j] = (63, 0, 0)

fireled.show()

def howfar():

sonar.write_digital(1)

sonar.write_digital(0)

timeus=time_pulse_us(sonar,1)

echo=timeus/1000000

dist=(echo/2)*34300

sleep(100)

return dist

def startingMessage():

mess1 = [

"This is the hug avoide",

"please keep back",

]

# Take from https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/speech.html

for line in mess1:

speech.say(line, speed=120, pitch=100, throat=100, mouth=200)

sleep(500)

def buttonplay():

if pin12.read_digital()==1:

#Red Button

blank_it()

if pin8.read_digital()==1:

#Green button

startingMessage()

if pin14.read_digital()==1:

#Yellow button

rainbow()

if pin16.read_digital()==1:

#Blue botton

display.show(Image.ASLEEP)

while True:

buttonplay()

dist=howfar()

if dist>30:

pin2.write_digital(1)

pin0.write_digital(0)

display.show(Image.HAPPY)

else:

pin2.write_digital(1)

pin0.write_digital(1)

blank_it()

speech.say("back away please", speed=120, pitch=100, throat=100, mouth=200)

display.show(Image.ANGRY)

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Thursday 23 December 2021

Hug Avoider 3 - experiments with Python and 4Tronix Eggbit

via GIPHY

4Tronix's Eggbit (in fact I bought three of them https://shop.4tronix.co.uk/collections/bbc-micro-bit/products/eggbit-three-pack-special :-) recently) is a cute add-on for the microbit (see above). In two previous posts I looked at eggbit using microcode to produce a hug avoider - warns when people at too close.

This post replicates some of this, but this time using Python and shows the stages of the build

Get the ultrasound to find the distance;
Produce smile and surprise on the eggbit's 'mouth';
Produce rainbow on the neopixels or all the pixels turning red;
Bring it all together so if the person is too close, less than 30cm it reacts.

1. Ultrasonic detection

Probably the most challenging bit of this was getting the ultrasonic distance measrement working. It actually is not that difficult; especially using code from https://firialabs.com/blogs/lab-notes/ultrasonic-distance-sensor-with-python-and-the-micro-bit as the basis of the solution and pin15 does both triggering and receiving. Code sends a pulse out, picked up and processed to get the distance from the delay. The code is shown below:

from microbit import *

from machine import time_pulse_us

sonar =pin15

sonar.write_digital(0)

while True:

sonar.write_digital(1)

sonar.write_digital(0)

timeus=time_pulse_us(sonar,1)

echo=timeus/1000000

dist=(echo/2)*34300

sleep(100)

display.scroll(str(dist))

2. LEDs

To get a greater understanding of how 4Tronix's makecode extension (used in the previou posts) for the Eggbit controls the various pins the best resource was to reverse engineering the code from https://github.com/4tronix/EggBit/blob/main/eggbit.ts in their github respository for the Eggbit.

This gave the colours and the correct pin for the LEDs the code is shown below. Producing a rainbow method and a method to set the LEDs/neopixels to red.

import neopixel

fireled=neopixel.NeoPixel(pin13,9)

def rainbow():

fireled[0] = (255, 0, 40)

fireled[1]= (255,165,0)

#block=yellow

fireled[2] = (255,255,0)

#block=green

fireled[3] = (0,255,0)

#block=blue

fireled [4] = (0,0,255)

# block=indigo

fireled[5] = (75,0,130)

# block=violet

fireled[6] = (138,43,178)

#block=purple

fireled[7] = (255,0,255)

fireled.show()

def blank_it():

for j in range(8):

fireled[j] = (63, 0, 0)

fireled.show()

3. 'Face'

Eggbit has set of LEDs that represent a mouth, controlled via three pins. Only two of those are used in this example

'Smile' is pin2.write_digital(1) the 'lower' part of the mouth and turn off upper part of the mouth pin0.write_digital(0)

'Surprise' uses both parts

pin2.write_digital(1)

pin0.write_digital(1)

4. Overall

So putting this altogether

from microbit import *

from machine import time_pulse_us

import neopixel

sonar =pin15

sonar.write_digital(0)

fireled=neopixel.NeoPixel(pin13,9)

def rainbow():

fireled[0] = (255, 0, 40)

fireled[1]= (255,165,0)

#block=yellow

fireled[2] = (255,255,0)

#block=green

fireled[3] = (0,255,0)

#block=blue

fireled [4] = (0,0,255)

# block=indigo

fireled[5] = (75,0,130)

# block=violet

fireled[6] = (138,43,178)

#block=purple

fireled[7] = (255,0,255)

fireled.show()

def blank_it():

for j in range(8):

fireled[j] = (63, 0, 0)

fireled.show()

def howfar():

sonar.write_digital(1)

sonar.write_digital(0)

timeus=time_pulse_us(sonar,1)

echo=timeus/1000000

dist=(echo/2)*34300

sleep(100)

return dist

while True:

dist=howfar()

if dist>30:

pin2.write_digital(1)

pin0.write_digital(0)

rainbow()

display.show(Image.HAPPY)

else:

pin2.write_digital(1)

pin0.write_digital(1)

blank_it()

display.show(Image.ANGRY)

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Tuesday 21 December 2021

Hug Avoider 2 - #4tronix #Eggbit

In an earlier post this year ( 4tronix Eggbit - cute and wearable - hug avoider) I played with 4Tronix's Eggbit (in fact I bought three of them https://shop.4tronix.co.uk/collections/bbc-micro-bit/products/eggbit-three-pack-special :-) recently). In that one I used a microbit V1.

In this post, I am using a microbit V2 and replicating the idea but with adding a sound; when people get too close as a bit of fun and surprise for relatives at christmas.

The code written using Makecode for Microbit (https://makecode.microbit.org/) and the extension for it 4Tronix's developed (see https://4tronix.co.uk/blog/?p=2485 for more details) is shown below:

makecode for microbit for the hug 2 avoider

Essentially the device goes on; puts a message on the LED display "Hug Avoider 2" and then puts a rainbow on the neopixel syle LEDs and a smile on the small 'mouth' - if the ultrasonic sensor doesn't pick up anyone in front.

If the ultrasonic sensor picks up anyone in front; LEDS change to red, a sped-up version of one of the standard tunes in Makercode is played and the mouth changes to a surprised look.

Good fun, didn't stop anyone and my son made one with the LEDs lighting up as the person got closer.

What I want to look at is the possibility of programming it with Python - something for the new year.

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Saturday 31 July 2021

This blog's Most read 10 posts July 2021

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Wednesday 28 July 2021

Tumbling Turing 1 - initial play with the Turing Tumble @TuringTumble

A product that has kept popping on to my radar has been the intriguing Turing Tumbles @TuringTumble I admit to being initially hesitant (is just a gimmicky marble run? - it isn't!) a marble powered computer. The idea is using mechanical ideas to visualise computing concepts is thought-provoking and I have always loved marble runs and 'Heath Robinson'/'Rube Goldberg' style machines; so bit the bullet and brought one and I am impressed; it is great fun (more than just as a marble run).

Let's start with the packaging and components it is and feels like a high quality product. The components feel sturdy and well designed, the storage for the components also feels sturdy (see figure 1). The project book with the exercises etc is a mixture of puzzles and challenges, alongside a short graphic novel/comic; it all feels well executed and thought through. Online there is now a growing community https://community.turingtumble.com/ where new puzzels are posted, alongside new ideas for puzzles and support. Personally, I think this is a great move, and one of the features with the potential to move this from a game (I have no problem with games), into a tool (as well as a game) for experimentation and also an educational tool.

figure 1: components

It does have elements of a marble run the power to everything is gravity acting on marbles (see figure 2).

figure 2: Game board

In the video below the set of red and blue marbles, go through the system producing an output of alternating red and blue marbles - simple but good fun.

Where to next then:

- I am aiming to find the time to try out the binary operation puzzles and logic puzzles.

- then play with other ideas.

The company behind Turing Tumble have recently run a further very successful Kickstarter project for a follow-on idea Spintronics (see below) using mechanical concepts to help visualise and understand electronic concepts. Yes, I have 'pledged' for it along with several thousand others, it looks so Steampunk.

If you would like to play with a spintronic simulation goto https://www.turingtumble.com/upperstory/spintronics/simulator/index.html

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Thursday 15 July 2021

CrowPi2 - Raspberry Pi laptop and much more.

Elecrow in 2020 released on kickstarter and now in pre-order their own site (or Amazon.com ) an interesting take on the Raspberry Pi laptop - a laptop with a built-in sensor lab.

Image taken from: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elecrow/crowpi2-steam-education-platformand-raspberry-pi-laptop/description

It builds on their earlier Crow Pi system but looks much more like a laptop with a secret sensor kit. It includes a wireless mouse and a keyboard, with the cool idea that the keyboard fits over the sensor kit and can be used as and looks like a laptop.

The version I received comes with a fantastic range of items, including the Raspberry Pi; power bank; books on python and scratch; RFID keyfob; remote control; game controllers; and many other components. A wide range of software and learning materials are installed on the SD-Card; including software to learn about AI.

At the moment I have mainly been playing with it as a Pi based laptop but I am looking forward to digging into playing with the sensors.

To find out more go to https://www.elecrow.com/crowpi2-raspberry-pi-portable-laptop.html

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Monday 5 July 2021

Added to the National Teaching Repository - Free Augmented Reality

The National Teaching Repository https://ntrepository.wordpress.com/home/ based at Edge Hill University was set up to provide a resource for sharing teaching resources.

Members of Canterbury Christ Church University play a role in the curation process.

To search the Repository https://figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/The_National_Teaching_Repository

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Thursday 1 July 2021

June 2021 - 10 Most viewed Blog posts on Robots and Physical computing Blog

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Tuesday 29 June 2021

Microbit and Environment Measurement - Using Python

In two recent posts, Makecode was used with the Enviro:bit from Pimoroni to try out a few ideas (https://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.com/2021/06/pimoroni-envirobit.html and https://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.com/2021/06/pimoroni-envirobit-light-and-led.html ). In this post Pyton using the Mu editor was used to try out the Enviro:bit.

As in the makeCode version, Pimoroni has provided both a python library (via Github) but also within the Readme.md useful installation instructions. There is at the time of writing a possible typo; to get the BME280 sensor (temperature, pressure, humidity sensor) to work; you need to add parenthesis in the line bme = bme280.bme280()

After that, it works fine and includes potential altitude measurement which I don't think is in the Makecode version (though I could be wrong); I need to play with it a bit more.

To experiment the code below was used test reading temperature (in Centigrade), humidity (%), and altitude (feet). In the examples, currently provided with the library, I couldn't find a BME280 example but it was fairly easy to adapt the examples included to get something going.

import microbit

import bme280

bme = bme280.bme280()

while True:

reading = bme.temperature()

microbit.display.scroll("temp: ")

microbit.display.scroll(str(reading))

microbit.sleep(3000)

reading = bme.humidity()

microbit.display.scroll("humidity: ")

microbit.display.scroll(str(reading))

microbit.sleep(3000)

reading = bme.altitude()

microbit.display.scroll("Alt: ")

microbit.display.scroll(str(reading))

microbit.sleep(3000)

It is a cool and fun device to play with, though I not sure the precision of the readings shown on the microbit LEDs is really necessary :-)

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Monday 28 June 2021

Pimoroni Envirobit - Light and LED

In a previous post, the Envirobit ( https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/enviro-bit ) for the Microbit was played with getting temperature, humidity and pressure (https://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.com/2021/06/pimoroni-envirobit.html).

In this short post a quick experiment using the sound and light sensor, to turn LEDs on the board to turn off and on beyond on light level. The code is set up when a clap happens nearby, light level is used to 'decide' whether the LEDs are turned on or off, below a threshols the LEDs go on above it the LEDs are turned off,

Makeecode

Using Makecode makes this relatively easy to implement and fun.

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Monday 21 June 2021

Pimoroni Enviro:bit -

Finally got to play with something that has been my list of things to play with, the Pimoroni Enviro:bit Weather Kit https://learn.pimoroni.com/tutorial/tanya/building-the-enviro-bit-kit (see below)- a nice kit based around Pimoroni's enviro:bit device which uses microbit and adds a number of sensors including temperature, pressure and humidity; as well as a microphone.

Programming is via MakeCode; extensions can be added using the Extension option and searching for envirobit.

Getting sensor information:

So a quick experiment to work through the temperature, pressure and humidity sensors, a brief bit of code to do this is shown below:

Responding to sound

The microbit used with the kit was a V1, so this device added a microphone to the systems (V2 already has the microphone built-in). In the code below the microbit to react to a clapping sound.

To develop further.

There is still various things to try out the like the light sensors. As well as the expert blocks - what their functions are.

Fun and easy to play with.

Code available:

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

Robots and Physical Computing

Friday 31 December 2021

Top 10 viewed posts 2021 on the Robot and Physical Computing Blog

Speech Recognition in Scratch 3 - turning Hello into Bonjour!

PS3 Controller to move a USB Robot Arm

Scratch Robot Arm

Tinkercad and Microbit: To make a neuron

Escape the Maze with a VR robot - Vex VR

Easy, Free and no markers Augmented Reality - location based AR

Coral Dev Board and Raspberry Pi

Explaining the Tinkercad microbit Neural network

VR robot in a maze - from Blocks to Python

4tronix Eggbit - cute and wearable - hug avoider

Sunday 26 December 2021

Hug Avoider 4 - micropython, Eggbot and speech

Hug Avoider 3 - experiments with Python and 4Tronix Eggbit

Thursday 23 December 2021

Hug Avoider 3 - experiments with Python and 4Tronix Eggbit

Tuesday 21 December 2021

Hug Avoider 2 - #4tronix #Eggbit

Saturday 31 July 2021

This blog's Most read 10 posts July 2021

Wednesday 28 July 2021

Tumbling Turing 1 - initial play with the Turing Tumble @TuringTumble

Thursday 15 July 2021

CrowPi2 - Raspberry Pi laptop and much more.

Monday 5 July 2021

Added to the National Teaching Repository - Free Augmented Reality

Thursday 1 July 2021

June 2021 - 10 Most viewed Blog posts on Robots and Physical computing Blog

Blog Archive

Tuesday 29 June 2021

Microbit and Environment Measurement - Using Python

Monday 28 June 2021

Pimoroni Envirobit - Light and LED

Monday 21 June 2021

Pimoroni Enviro:bit -

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