Microbit Robotics & Engineering

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60 mins

Teacher/Student led

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Learning Outcomes

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+260 XP

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC
Microbit
Move Motor Car
AA Batteries
USB Cable

Line Following Car

In this project we program the sensors on the Move Motor Car to detect and follow lines.

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1 Introduction
2 Create a new project
3 Add the extension
4 Create the variables
5 Setup the LEDs
6 Turn right
7 Turn left
8 Go forwards
9 Test it on a track
10 Tweak the code
Challenge
Quiz

1 - Introduction

In this project we will be programming the Move Motor Car to follow a line track.

You will need the following:

A Microbit
A Move Motor Car (with 4 AA batteries)
A USB cable
A track drawn on paper or printed out using the attachment 'mbmmlfc tiles.pdf'

If you are drawing your own track make sure you use a thick black marker with clear lines.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

2 - Create a new project

Go to the https://makecode.microbit.org website and create a new project.

Microbit: How to create a new Microbit project

Go to the Makecode.com Microbit website using the link below and click on the 'New Project' button underneath the 'My Projects' heading.

https://makecode.microbit.org/

Install the micro:bit app on your iPad or tablet.

Open the app, tap 'Create code' and then create a new project.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

3 - Add the extension

We are going to programming a Microbit to act as the brains of the Move Motor car. To do this we will need to add the kitronik-move-motor extension to our project. This has custom blocks that let us program the Move Motor car.

Add the kitronik-move-motor extension to your project. Once you add it you will notice that there is a new set of 'MOVE Motor' blocks in your toolbox.

Microbit: How to add an extension

To add an extension follow these steps:

Click on 'Advanced' in the toolbox
Click 'Extensions'
Type the name of the extension in the search box
Click on the extension in the search results
The extension and all it's blocks will be added to your toolbox

+10 XP

4 - Create the variables

We need to create the following 3 variables:

left - this will store the value of the left line sensor (how dark or bright it is).
right - this will store the value of the right line sensor (how dark or bright it is).
difference - this will store the value of the difference between the left and right variables.

Create the 3 variables and then add the following code to your project.

Microbit: How to create a variable

In the Variables toolbox, create a new variable by clicking the 'Make a Variable' button.

Once you click this button a box will appear asking what you want to call your variable. Give it a name that reminds you what you will be using it for. For example, if you wanted to keep track of your score in a game, you would create a variable called 'score'.

+40 XP

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This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Line Following Car

Teacher Class Feed

1 - Introduction

2 - Create a new project

Using the makecode website

Using the micro:bit app

3 - Add the extension

4 - Create the variables

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XP