UFO talks to Robot - part two

In part one of this series of posts, the project to get Consumable Robotics UFO and Dimm robot was started but focussed on the UFO kit. The goal being for some action on Dimm to trigger a series of messages being passed between the two of them.

In this post, the focus moves to Dimm and the setting up the actions leading to the messaging.

Stage 1 Build
Using the Micro:bits port 0 (as part of the Dimm robot) for the input from the light sensor, which is included in the kit (Red lead going to 3v and the black lead going to GND). Just to note the less light there is the higher the value on the sensor.

Stage 2 Code
Micropython programmed through the Mu editor (see below)

If light levels are high then :
      scroll a message saying "calling UFO" 
      send the code "dimm" via bluetooth.
otherwise: 
      scroll a message saying "I can't see"
If it recieves "ufo" via bluetooth :
      display "Hello, UFO called me"

Micropython code
import radio
from microbit import pin0, pin1, display, sleep

radio.on()

while True:
   incoming = radio.receive()
   if incoming == 'ufo':  
      display.scroll("Hello, UFO called me", 75)
   if pin0.read_analog()<175:
        display.scroll("calling UFO")
        radio.send("dimm")
   else:
        display.scroll("I can't see")

Stage 3 Testing

Video below shows it in action including what happens when the light (in this case a torch) shines on the sensor connected to Dimm; a message is sent and picked up by the UFO kit (LEDs flash and the message saying "DIMM calling" scrolls  across the UFO LED array - see UFO talks to robot - part one for more details). A message is sent back from the UFO kit and on Dimm's LED array the message "Hello, UFO called me").
If the light levels are too low then the message "I can't see" scrolls across Dimm's LED array.






As an aside, the Dimm robot still reminds me, a little, of a colourful, friendly, Ood from Dr Who with all the leads hanging out of the 'mouth' - think that is geeky I know.




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

DIMM 'the OOD' Cardboard Robot

CBiS Education generously sent me two of their new range of robotics development kits - BinaryBots  (https://www.binarybots.co.uk/makers.aspx), these are a range of cardboard based kits (so far a robot and a UFO) with electronic components for example LEDs; sensors and buzzers,  depending on the kits. What makes the kits interesting though is they are designed to be controlled by either by a BBC Micro:bit or a CodeBug.In an earlier post,  I played with the UFO one (http://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/ufo-detects-light.html), now I have had a chance to play the DIMM the robot.

With the wires hanging out of the mouth and its humanoid shape it reminds we a bit of the OOD from Doctor Who (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ood) but a lot more unthreatening.

How to build it video from @cbiseducation is shown below.




So I built a Light detection system with the light sensor that came with the kit and added a microbit. The idea was
- to play one sound when the light level is low as well display an 'L' on the Microbit;
- to play another sound when the light level is higher and display an 'H' on the Microbit.

The code used is shown below. It is built around the forever loop, the light sensor is connected to Pin 1 and the speaker on Pin 0 (ground and Vcc connected as appropriate see the robot below). when the sensor value is greater than 175 then the low light level is detected otherwise the higher light is detected.

The video below shows this enjoyable kit in action - the sound level is a bit low in the video.





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.