In the previous two post I built and played with a robot unicorn from Do it Kitshttps://doitkits.com/product/robot-unicorn/. In the first post, python was used to get it to move forward, backwards, left, right and stop. The second post discussed using a second microbit to send the movement instructions via the microbit's radio module.
This post looks at extending the idea to using the accelerometer to pick up directions and send them to the robot unicorn (that still seems weird to write). Microbit's accelerometers, using the x and y directions, provide the inputs and then send the direction commands. The robot unicorn code is the same in the second post, the new code for the gestures is shown below. This a work in progress it detects x and y changes together so it does have a tendency to do one direction and then the other. This needs further work.
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
Sending Sends out messages via the microbit's radio module, e.g. fwd for forward or tr for turn right; as well the name of the actions scrolls across the microbit. On the Unicorn Revieves messages via the microbits radio module, e.g. bwd for backward or tl for turn left; then carries out the action for 500ms. The time was selected to give the system enough time to finish the action before the next message is expected.
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
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
In an earlier post, I showed how you could build a Micro:Bit controlled Junkbot. In this post I want to show a modification to it, to use one Micro:Bit to control the junkbot controlled by another Micro:Bit. A nice feature of the Micro:Bit using micropython, is it can send and receive simple messages via radio - so here is my take on it. The first problem is the Python editor available on https://www.microbit.co.uk/ does not seem to work with the radio API. One solution to this is to change to the mu editor.
Two pieces of code are needed. Sending Code for the 'remote' control: Essentially it is set up to send two messages, via the built-in radio module, spinl or spinr depending on which button is pressed. import radio from microbit import button_a, button_b radio.on() while True: if button_a.is_pressed(): radio.send('spinl') if button_b.is_pressed():
radio.send('spinr') Junkbot Code This takes an adapted form of the previous Junkbot code to work by; on receiving spinl or spinr via the radio link; spin the motor clockwise or anticlockwise. import radio from microbit import pin8, pin12, sleep def leftTurn(duration): pin8.write_digital(0) pin12.write_digital(1) sleep(duration) def rightTurn(duration): pin8.write_digital(1) pin12.write_digital(0) sleep(duration) def stopIt(): pin8.write_digital(0) pin12.write_digital(0) radio.on() while True: incoming = radio.receive() if incoming == 'spinl': leftTurn(500) stopIt() if incoming == 'spinr': rightTurn(500) stopIt()
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.
