A new direction has been developed for the junkbot project (http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/); previously Raspberry Pis have been used to control the junkbot’s movement (http://robotsandphysicalcomputing.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/python-junkbot.html) – but what about the recently released Micro:Bits; can it be used to control a junkbot?
Matthew Hole, a student from Wrenn Academy, Northamptonshire ; has been investigating this idea whilst on a Nuffield Research Placement (http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements) working with Dr Scott Turner, University of Northampton. The project was to look into developing junkbots controlled using a Micro:bit and also to produce some materials for schools to use with or without outside assistance.
What is a Junkbot?
For this project, it is a moving ‘bot’ made from waste materials, combined with an electric motor and a programmable device (in this case a Micro:Bit) to control (or try) it. An example is shown above. More details on junkbots can be found at
Approach used in the project.
A Micro:Bit was selected for two reasons. First, there was been a BBC supported project to give year 7 (or equivalent) students a Micro:bit (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4hVG2Br1W1LKCmw8nSm9WnQ/the-bbc-micro-bit), so they are available in the schools. Secondly, Kitronik produce a motor driver board, and provide quite a bit of support for it, for the Micro:Bit (the latest version of the board can be found at https://www.kitronik.co.uk/5620-motor-driver-board-for-the-bbc-microbit-v2.html ). Using Micropython via the online editor https://www.microbit.co.uk to program the board and therefore the junkbot connected. The board with the Micro:Bit attached can be seen in the figure above carried on the junkbot.
An example piece of code is shown below:
from microbit import *
def startIt():
pin8.write_digital(1)
pin12.write_digital(0)
pin0.write_digital(1)
pin16.write_digital(0)
def leftTurn(duration):
pin8.write_digital(0)
pin12.write_digital(1)
sleep(duration)
def stopIt():
pin8.write_digital(1)
pin12.write_digital(1)
sleep(2000)
while True:
startIt()
if button_a.is_pressed():
leftTurn(100)
if button_b.is_pressed():
stopIt()
Suggested Resource List
- Small Electric Motor
- Kitronik Motor Board
- Battery Pack
- BBC Micro:bit
- Pens
- Junk (Can or Bottle)
- Wires
- Tape
- Scissors
- Broken Propeller or un-balanced load
- Screw Driver
Related Links
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