In the previous blog posts for this 'series' "It is a good time...." Post 1 looked at the hardware unpinning some of...
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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
How do you fancy, building and programming a Batmobile? A recently fulfilled Kickstarter project from Circuitmess allows just that https://circuitmess.com/products/batmobile;an autonomous 'car' kit, programmable and controlled through a separate controller. It can also be programmed through their CircuitBlocks environment based on MakeCode and Blockly - this approach is the starting point for this first play.
Below is a video showing it off a bit and some of the functions produced by the manufacturers.
The video largely shows going through the controller to interact with the Batmobile. You can as well start coding through https://code.circuitmess.com/ the Circuitmess coding app mentioned earlier, and choose a sketch. The controller and batmobile can be programmed separately (see examples below)
Just to start off, I choose a sketch to play with the front lights, back lights and underlights, essentially turning them off and on.
You will need to install micropython, but you get prompted and following the onscreen instructions it is easily done.
Using the Makecode/sketch provided, added a few missing under light (shines under the car) RGB values to enable a quick play. First set of RGB gives a reddy-pink colour and then changes to green. You code in the block code, and it gives the micropython code. Both are shown below.
It starts moving, then turns on the front lights and then off, then the back light on and off, and then the under lights.
Nice kit and there are various optional extras that can going with it - see https://circuitmess.com/products/batmobile and the shop through Buy Now halfway down the webpage. Including extension circuits that plug into the controller. I will explore more.
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
A recent addition to these is the Edbot Studio Virtual Playground https://studio.ed.bot/; a preview of simulation technology for Robots in Schools Ltd Edbot robots.
Two Edbot robots are shown in a gym; you can select actions for the robots to carry out, including Gangam-style dancing and Head Stands.
This is really a preview of the tech, rather than a programming option - at the moment. Robots in Schools Ltd, who make the Edbots, say the Virtual Playground will be part of their Edbot Studio a browser-based Environment to allow both coding in Scratch, Python and JavaScript, of both virtual and real robots.
I am really curious to see the full Edbot Studio in action when it is released, but for the moment getting virtual robots to dance and kick is still really good fun.
The physical robots -EdBot are available from https://ed.bot/
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
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