Robots and Physical Computing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere—recommending videos, recognising faces, and even helping cars drive themselves. But what actually powers these systems? At the heart of many AI systems is something called a neural network . And here’s the exciting part: you don’t need a supercomputer to explore one. 👉 In this challenge, you’ll build a working neural network using micro:bits —and see how AI works from the inside. 🔍 What Is a Neural Network? A neural network is a system made of connected “neurons” that pass information to each other. It’s usually organised into layers: Input layer → receives data Hidden layer → processes information Output layer → produces a result One important detail: the input layer doesn’t actually process anything —it just passes signals forward. If you want a deeper explanation, this post breaks it down clearly: 👉 https://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.com/2021/02/explaining-tinkercad-microbit-neural.html ⚡ Make It Physical with micro:bits Inst...

The original Micro:bit V1 (left) remains a powerful tool for teaching data logging and IoT fundamentals, even alongside the feature-rich V2 (right) produced using ChatGPT Introduction   Before you drop those original Micro:bit V1 boards into the recycling bin, ask yourself this: what if the board without all the bells and whistles is actually the better teaching tool? As we move further into 2026, many educators find their storage bins filled with V1 boards — the ones without the notched gold edge connectors. With the V2 boasting a built-in microphone, speaker, touch-sensitive logo, and a faster processor, it's tempting to assume the V1 is obsolete. But is it really? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, depends entirely on what you are trying to teach — and the V1 makes a far stronger case for itself than most people expect. The Technical Trade-off   To be fair to both boards, the V2 is the clear winner for AI, audio, and machine learning projects — and if your budget allows, ...

DIY Data Science: A Complete Guide to Data Logging with the Micro:bit V1 Whether you are a STEM teacher looking for a classroom lab solution, a parent seeking a weekend project, or a maker building an environmental monitor, the Micro:bit V1 is a hidden gem for data logging. While the newer V2 has built-in logging memory, the V1 is incredibly capable when paired with a computer. By using the Serial (USB) Connection and Radio Communication , you can turn these pocket-sized boards into useful sensors. The Equipment List To get started, you will need: For Local Logging: 1x Micro:bit V1. 1x Micro-USB cable (high quality, data-capable). A computer with a Chrome-based browser (to use the WebUSB feature in MakeCode). For Remote Logging: 2x Micro:bit V1s. 1x Battery pack (2xAAA) for the "Remote" Micro:bit. 1x Micro-USB cable for the "Receiver" Micro:bit. Optional (For Experiments): A strong magnet (to test the Compass/Magnetometer (see later in this post). A flashlight (to ...

Microbit Remote Control CBiS Car I wanted to contol the CBiS micro:Bit Car via gestures whilst holding another micro:Bit (see Figure 1) I went for: - Button A in combinat... Coral Dev Board and Raspberry Pi This is the second of a planned occasional series of posts on playing with some of the current AI specific add-on processors for Intenet of ... Escape the Maze with a VR robot - Vex VR You don't need to buy a robot to get programming a robot, now there are a range of free and relatively simple to start with robot simula... Crumblebot - explorer bot? In an earlier post I played with 4Tronix's CrumbleBot to make an edge follower robot ( http://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.co.uk/... Programming Robots Virtually 4: Preview of Edbot Studio In previous post I looked at a few on-line robot simulators (see links below) Programming VEX Code Programming  iRobot Simulator Programming... Top read post on Blog in Feb 2020 Popular Posts Moving Eyes with an Adafruit Adabox kit...

Speech Recognition in Scratch 3 - turning Hello into Bonjour! The Raspberry Pi Foundation recently released a programming activity Alien Language , with support Dale from Machine Learning for Kids , tha... PS3 Controller to move a USB Robot Arm Guest Blogger Hiren Mistry, Nuffield Research Placement Student working at the University of Northampton. How to use a PS3 Controller to... Scratch Robot Arm It is not physical but CBiS Education have release a free robot arm simulator for Scratch.  Downloadable from their site  http://w... Tinkercad and Microbit: To make a neuron The free online CAD (and so much more) package Tinkercad  https://www.tinkercad.com/ under circuits; now has microbits as part of the list ... Escape the Maze with a VR robot - Vex VR You don't need to buy a robot to get programming a robot, now there are a range of free and relatively simple to start with robot simula... Easy, Free and no markers Augmented Reality - location based AR For a few years...

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. - https://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.com/2021/12/hug-avoider-2-4tronix-eggbit.html -  4tronix Eggbit - cute and wearable - hug avoider Hug Avoider 3 - experiments with Python and 4Tronix Eggbit 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 but...

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: 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 v...

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 (f...

/ The ever-brilliant 4tronix have produced Eggbit https://shop.4tronix.co.uk/collections/microbit-accessories/products/eggbit;  a cute, wearable device, with ultrasonic sensors, buttons and LEDs for the microbit - I couldn't resist. Programming is through Makecode and an extension is available, to download and install. To use the extension, at the time of writing this, go through the add extension option and use the search box to add it  from  https://github.com/4tronix/EggBi t So what to do with it? Inspired by social distancing  (or not being a 'hugger')  created it so that when people get too close the RGB LEDs go out - simple but fun. The distance is set at 20cm for testing. The code is shown below. It was fun to do and perhaps swapping the settings around so the lights come on when people at too close might be more fun or using sound. This is a lovely device to play with and the look encourages play - just look how cute it is! The price is reasonable and th...