Aliased from BbcMicroBit

BBC micro:bit board#

The micro:bit board
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From the micro:bitContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png page on Wikipedia:

The Micro Bit (also referred to as BBC Micro Bit, stylized as micro:bit) is an open source hardware ARM-based embedded system designed by the BBCContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png for use in computer education in the UK.

The device is described as half the size of a credit card and has an ARM Cortex-M0Content unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png processor, accelerometer and magnetometer sensors, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a display consisting of 25 LEDs, two programmable buttons, and can be powered by either USB or an external battery pack. The device inputs and outputs are through five ring connectors that form part of a larger 25-pin edge connector.

The micro:bit can be programmed in Microsoft MakeCodeContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png (a graphical language), Python, and ScratchContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png.

The micro:bit is available from many vendors, and it clearly makes sense to shop for the best value (and the best value based on currency). Some options:

  • micro:bitContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png £13.50 from Pimoroni
  • BBC micro:bitContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png US$14.95 from Adafruit
  • BBC micro:bit Go BundleContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png US$17.50 (with USB cable, battery pack and 2x batteries) also from Adafruit
  • BBC Micro:Bit in Gift Box (Microbit)Content unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png £11.75 from 4Tronix

Available micro:bit Robots#

Generally, unless stated otherwise the micro:bit board is not included with the robot kits.

M.A.R.S. Rover Robot for Microbit or Pi Zero#

The M.A.R.S. Rover (click to enlarge)
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The 4tronix M.A.R.S. Rover is loosely based on the Curiosity and Mars 2020 rovers from NASA/JPL. It uses the same rocker arm, bogey and differential arm mechanism.

This is by far the most complicated micro:bit based robot available, and is certainly not an entry-level robot. This uses six micro metal gear motors and four servos.

It's included in the list here so you can see that a micro:bit robot need not be limited by any notion of the simplicity of its controller. You can purchase the rover for use with a Raspberry Pi Zero or a micro:bit (not included).

Waveshare Alphabot#

The Waveshare AlphaBot2 (click to enlarge)
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The Waveshare AlphaBot2 2WD Platform Kit for BBC micro:bit (no micro:bit) is designed to use with the BBC micro:bit. It features rich common robot functions including line tracking, infrared obstacle avoiding, ultrasonic ranging, Bluetooth/2.4G remote control, etc.

This robot is not as pretty as some of the others (no rainbow flashing LEDs) but is probably one of the more advanced, durable and better-designed of the micro:bit robots.

Bit:Bot#

Bit:Bot
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Introducing BitBot XL, taking the much-loved BitBot to the next level. We have made several changes, some subtle, some not so subtle, to give a much-improved experience of using and working with the BitBot. The Microsoft Makecode Extension for Bit:Bot also works for BitBot XL. It can automatically detect while running which version you have, or you can force it to be the Classic BitBot or the new XL.

MiniBit#

minibit
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The Minibit is the younger sibling of the popular and well-loved Bit:Bot. It comes ready-built (wheels need pushing on).

A Makecode extension is available. Blocks available for driving the motors, LEDs and optional ultrasonic sensor and line follower module as well as the other plugin breakouts.

:MOVE Mini#

:MOVE Mini MK2
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The Kitronik :MOVE mini MK 2 buggy robot kit for the BBC micro:bit is the latest version of the ever popular :MOVE mini that provides a fun introduction to robotics.

Robot:bit MK3#

Robot:bit MK3
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Version 1.3 of this popular kit now uses a removable ultrasonic sensor, that uses the same connector as used on the Minibit and BitBot XL. This allows the use of alternative addons, sich as the new BitFace, 5x5 FireLed Matrix and OLED.

Maqueen Lite#

Macqueen Lite
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Maqueen is a graphical programming robot for STEM education, which inherits playability and simple operation of micro:bit.

Maqueen is accessible to the Mind+ Programming platform now. Mind+ is a Scratch3.0-based graphical programming platform from DFRobot, supporting python, Arduino and other programming platforms. At present, Mind+ has been applied to all kinds of sensors, modules and related educational products.

Related Products#

Kitronik ZIP Halo HD for micro:bit#

Kiktronic Halo
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Not a robot at all, the Kitronik Halo HD board for the micro:bit incorporates 60 individually addressable full colour ZIP LEDs, a MEMS mic, piezo buzzer, RTC and onboard battery holder!

Ultrasonic Sensor Module#

Ultrasonic Sensor Module
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This breakout is a simple and robust way to add ultrasonic distance sensing to your robot. Supported on BitBot XL, Pi2Go Mk2, Pi-Bug (v1.1 and later), Minibit and other 4tronix robots released from July 2019 onwards (including the Robobit Mk3, v1.3 onwards).

Available in standard and tall versions. The Tall version is intended for the BitBot XL with a Talon attachment. We recommend using the standard version for all other use cases.

BitFace Robot Face Breakout#

Bit:Face
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This breakout is designed to fit on BitBot XL, MiniBit and the latest (v1.3) version of Robobit Mk3. Brighten up your robot, animate its personality and provide status indications!

(Note that you can't use a BitFace and an Ultrasonic sensor at the same time, as they both plugin into the same socket.)

References#

  • micro:bit home pageContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png
    • First StepsContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png
    • Let's CodeContent unavailable! (broken link)https://service.robots.org.nz/wiki/images/out.png

Tags:  microbit

This particular version was published on 2020-07-06 08:51 by Murray Altheim.Top