Course Overview

As part of this development track we will explore the world of robotics using the DFR Micro:Maqueen. As you follow through the tutorials in this development track you will learn how to –

1. Assemble the Micro:Maqueen robot
2. Play music using the Micro:Maqueen robot
3. Code the robot and get it to move
4. Write programs to get your robot to navigate around a track
5. Learn how to light up your robot in different colors
6. Control the robot remotely
7. Sense light and write programs to perform different actions.

This is an advanced micro:bit track with a focus on exploring robotics using the Micro:Maqueen robot. We would highly recommend that you complete the following tracks before you start off with this track.

1. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch I
2. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch II
3. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit I
4. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit II
5. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit III
6. Design Interactive Games Using the BBC micro:bit
7. Introduction To Electronics Using The BBC micro:bit – I

Prerequisites –

1. This tutorial makes extensive use of the BBC micro:bit.
2. If you haven’t purchased a BBC micro:bit yet you might want to head over and pick one up now.
3. We would recommend that you pick up the BBC micro:bit, BBC micro:bit breakout board and a breadboard.
4. The BBC micro:bit breakout board and breadboard makes working with the BBC micro:bit a lot easier.
5. You will also need a Micro:Maqueen to be able to work on this development track. You can pick up the Micro:Maqueen from OzToyLib.
6. We will be using the official BBC Makecode Block editor to write code for all our tutorials.

About the Micro:Maqueen

The Micro:Maqueen offers educators, parents and kids a great opportunity to build on their existing coding skills and take the knowledge of coding, robotics and electronics to a higher level. If you are just starting with coding and robotics then you might want to program the Micro:Maqueen using the BBC micro:bit Makecode Block based programming language. If you are an experienced developer and have some prior experience working with electronics, robotics then you can program Micro:Maqueen using Javascript or even using MicroPython. The Micro:Maqueen STEM education robot is recommended for kids 8+ years and older. Here are some of the salient features of the robot –

• Supports BBC Makecode Block editor. Scratch and python support is in the works.
• The robot is easy to put together and assembly is literally childs play.
• The robot comes along with all-metal miniature gear motor which provides good traction for movement.
• Capability onboard the robot includes line sensors, ambient light sensors, LED lights, ultrasonic interface, buzzer, I2C interface.
• The size of the robot makes it very easy to work with.
• Tutorials available to get you going with coding.
• Exclusive customized POM bearing wheel, flexible and reliable, strong obstacle crossing ability.

The Micro:Maqueen is really easy to assemble and can be put together in less than 15 minutes by a 10 year old child. You can use the Micro:Maqueen to introduce you child to the world of STEM and get them going with coding introducing them to the world of robotics using the micro:bit. The Micro:Maqueen is a great way to get started with the basics of coding and robotics using a flexible, affordable and easy to work with robotic platform.

You will need a Micro:Maqueen to be able to work on this development track. You can pick up the Micro:Maqueen from OzToyLib.

About BBC micro:bit

The Micro Bit (also referred to as BBC Micro Bit, stylised as micro:bit) is an ARM-based embedded system designed by the BBC for use in computer education in the UK. The board is 4 cm × 5 cm and has an ARM Cortex-M0 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 are part of the 23-pin edge connector at the bottom of the board. The micro:bit can be programmed using the Microsoft Block code program editor which is similar to the block based language Scratch ideal for 7-12 year olds. The micro:bit can also be programmed using the Makecode editor in Javascript and Python which allows for older kids to learn the Javascript and Python programming language using the micro:bit.

You can read more about the BBC micro:bit at the microbit website. Also see Kitronik’s resources here – Parents Complete Guide To The BBC micro:bit.