Robots and Physical Computing

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...

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 ...

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. This blog documents, briefly, an initial play with the UFO kit (see below) using a Micro:Bit for control.  The UFO model  came together readily, the instructions were fairly easy to follow. Personally, a feature I especially liked about the model was the LEDs being both on the top and bottom of it - increasing its usefulness. CBiS EducationThey have also provided a webpage / portal with some example projects and code.  My first project I built, was to pulse the LEDs on and off (one set of LEDs on Pin 0, the other on Pin 1). ...