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Design & Technology – Robotics 5
Education
Robotics
Pocket Sized Codeable
Computer Starter Kit
Our complete micro:bit package contains everything you need including the micro:bit itself, USB download cable,
battery box and batteries. Unlike the original batch of micro:bits, our kit is supplied with our switched battery
holder which means you don’t need to remove a battery or disconnect the plug when you want to cut the power.
• Kit includes :
• 1x micro:bit board
• 1x USB download cable
• 1x switched battery box
• 2x AAA batteries
Bit:Bot Robot for BBCmicro:bit/
Ultrasonic Distance Sensors
The Bit:Bot Robot is a feature-
packed little robot that is
almost ready to go, requiring no
soldering, no wires and nothing
more than a screwdriver to
complete it.
The Bit:Bot turns your
micro:bit from a stand-alone
programmable computer to an
awesome mobile robot allowing
you to explore and code the
BBC micro:bit using any of the
languages available.
The Bit:Bot is powered by 3x AA
batteries which are also used to
power your micro:bit so the original micro:bit battery holder is not needed. The micro:bit
itself is easily plugged in and removed using the edge connector on the top of the robot.
Two versions of the optional Ultrasonic Distance Sensor are available. The removable
version unplugs easily from its socket to aid access
to the micro:bit download port. The soldered version
is more stable and robust, but you may need a right-
angled USB download cable to download a program
with the sensor in situ.
Batteries and micro:bit sold separately
Starter kit
Order code 75-0116 £12.50
Socketed ultrasonic
Order code 75-0121
Soldered ultrasonic
Order code 75-0119
£3.00
£3.00
Robo:Bit for BBC micro:bit and
Accessories
If you have a BBC micro:bit then you
should get the Robo:Bit buggy. Using the
basic kit, you can learn about controlling
motors and use the accelerometers
or compass on the micro:bit to aid
navigation and collision detection.
You can also make a very cool remote
control robot by using another micro:bit
and the radio function.
The Robo:Bit buggy can be assembled
very quickly using only a screwdriver. No
soldering is required making it a great
beginners kit and the chunky wheels and
powerful motors mean it works well on
any surface.
There are also available a number
of optional accessories to make the
Robo:Bit buggy even more versatile:
The Ultrasonic Distance Sensor ( 75-0129) lets the robot detect objects before it collides with them
allowing you to program it to avoid them. It can also be used to create a ‘follow me’ program where the
robot tries to stay a certain distance from the object in front of it.
The Line Follower Sensor Pack ( 75-0127) uses two line sensors to follow a black line and keep the
buggy on track. You can write more complex programs that behave as required when you meet a T-junction
or crossroads.
We all like adding blinky LEDs to our electronic creations, whether it is a robot, weather station or
something that reads and displays sensor data. Now with McRoboFace ( 75-0139) you can add emotions
to everything at the same time as adding blinkies.
All the 17 RGB LEDs are fully addressable and can be controlled by most processors in the field using
standard ‘neopixel’ code. This includes Raspberry Pi, Crumble, Arduino, ESP8266, micro:bit and Codebug.
The Robo:Bit robotics controller ( 75-0133) is a ready-assembled robotics controller board that’s ready
to be used with your BBC micro:bit, just add battery power (3 or 4 AA is ideal, but not included) and
motors of your choice to make your own DIY robot. Use a small box, ice-cream carton or similar to house
everything and you can build a really affordable robot for your school, coding club or home.
Robo:Bit has been cleverly designed so that with a few hexagonal pillars and screws, you can fit the
motors, battery box, front casters, line following sensors and even ultrasonic distance sensors and have a
very neat and simple robot!
Robo:Bit uses the ever popular DRV8833 motor driver which allows you to use most small motors that
operate in the 3 to 6V range.
Connections are provided for lots of the BBC micro:bit pins, and all have immediate 3-pin access to power
(3.3V) and ground. There are three separate pins for 5V if you need the extra voltage (but don’t feed back
5V to the micro:bit as it won’t like it!). This is the GVS (Ground, Volts, Signal) system for sensors and
servos etc.
On the left side of the board (the ‘front’ of the robot) is a set of 4 offset holes into which you can simply
poke an HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor. The offset holes and gold plating ensure a good connection,
but you can also solder it in permanently for added
robustness.
The Robo:Bit fixings pack ( 75-0136) contains
screws, hexagonal pillars and a Pololu caster.
This allows you to fit standard yellow motors (not
included) and immediately get a robot working.
• Have fun and learn robotics at the same time
• Quick to assemble with just a screwdriver
• Chunky wheels and powerful motor
• Ideal for many projects
Type Order code 1+
Robo:Bit Buggy 75-0123 £22.00
Distance sensor 75-0129 £1.95
Line sensor 75-0127 £5.00
McRoboFace 75-0139 £7.00
Controller board 75-0133 £10.00
Robo:bit fixings pack 75-0136 £4.00
565005
Bit:Bot Robot
Order code 75-0117
£29.75
10% off all online orders until 31 July 2017
– see page two for more details