Lesson 5 – Lighting Up the LEDs

Tutorial –

Objective – As part of this tutorial we will learn the basics of controlling the LED lights (in front) onboard the robot.

The image below shows the Micro:Maqueen robot programmed to light up the LED’s in a sequence. We’ll attempt to do the same.

Setting things up – Let’s head over to the BBC MakeCode website (https://makecode.microbit.org) since we will be using the MakeCode block editor to code the Micro:Maqueen.

Before we can write any code and get our robot to do stuff for us we need to include some specific libraries (Code) that will allow the BBC Micro:Bit board to understand the different components, capabilities of the robot. We call this special code libraries.

Here’s the steps to import the library –

  1. Head over to the MakeCode website at : makecode.microbit.org using a new browser window. The first time it loads things might be a bit slow.
  2. Let’s create a new project to get started.
  3. Now go ahead and let’s import the library.
  4. Click the gear icon shown on the right hand side of your screen, click on “Extensions” and then enter the library address: https://github.com/jhlucky/maqueen
  5. Import the library by clicking on it.

Let’s Get Coding – As part of this tutorial you will learn the basics of lighting up LED’s on your robot. At the end of this tutorial you should be able to create your own projects and add LED lighting up functionality to the project.

Enter the code provided below into your MakeCode Editor where you have loaded the Micro:Maqueen libraries.

Have a look at the sample program at – https://makecode.microbit.org/_6gKRm1RVsDxY

Challenge – Can you make the robot dance with fast moves, program the lights under it to light up and also light up the LED’s on the front all at the same time? In addition can you also code for the following movement sequences –

  1. Turn right for 1 sec
  2. Reverse backwards for 1 sec
  3. Turn left for 1 sec
  4. Reverse backwards for 1 sec
  5. Move forwards for 1 sec
  6. Move backwards for 1 sec
  7. Stop for 2 seconds
  8. Repeat the above sequence 2 more times

In this challenge we bring to together our learning from all the previous tutorials i.e. robot movement, lighting up the neopixels underneath the robot and finally lighting up the LED’s in front of the robot.

Prerequisites –

  1. This development track 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 to OzToyLib and pick one up now.
  3. We would recommend that you pick up the BBC micro:bit kit which comes with a battery pack, usb cable and the real micro:bit.
  4. We will be using the official online BBC MakeCode Block editor to write code for all our tutorials. No investment required here.
  5. You will also need a Micro:Maqueen STEM robot to be able to work on this development track. You can pick up the Micro:Maqueen robot from OzToyLib.

Reference –

  1. To learn more about the BBC micro:bit please visit – <Link>
  2. To learn more about global re-sellers of the BBC micro:bit please please visit – <Link>
  3. To learn more about Kitronik please visit – <Link>

 

Questions