Getting Started With Micro:bit Turtle Car

Description

Micro:bit is significantly applied to STEM education for teenagers, as a small microcontroller featuring small in size, easy to carry, and powerful functions. At present, innovative technology products, like robots, wearable devices and interactive electronic games can be produced by programming and code.

In this kit, we will guide you how to control and generate a Micro:bit turtle smart car through programming in Makecode.

MakeCode is a framework for creating interactive and engaging programming experiences for those new to the world of programming. The platform provides the foundation for a tailored coding experience to create and run user programs on actual hardware or in a simulated target.

What’s more, we also provide test code and projects so as to make smart car display different effects.

Launched by KEYES group, Keyestudio micro:bit smart car integrates obstacle avoidance, line tracking and IR and Bluetooth control. It is made up of DC geared motors, wheels , sensors and acrylic boards. In addition, it is equipped with a passive buzzer with music play function, 4 pcs WS2812RGB LEDs and 2 pcs RGB lights.

We believe that your imagination and creativity can be stimulated through assemble this smart car by yourself and acquire knowledge about how to code through Makecode, a new method to program.

Kit List

Components
#	Model	QTY	Picture
0	Micro:bit main board is Not Included in KS4014 Kit
0	Micro:bit main board is Included in KS4024 Kit	1
1	Keyestudio Micro:bit Driver Shield	1
2	Keyestudio Quick Connectors IR Receiver	1
3	Keyestudio Quick Connectors Line Tracking Sensor	1
4	Keyestudio Quick Connectors Ultrasonic Sensor	1
5	Micro USB Cable AM/MK5P(micro)	1
6	Keyestudio JMFP-4 17 Key	1

1	Keyestudio Baseplate for Smart Small Turtle Robot V2.0	1
2	Keyestudio Round Board	1
3	Keyestudio Acrylic Top Board	1
4	Micro:bit Fixed Mount	1
5	Keyestudio Quick Connectors 12FN20 Motor A	1
6	Keyestudio Quick Connectors 12FN20 Motor B	1
7	N20 Motor White Mount	2
8	Car Wheels	2
9	Universal Wheel	2
10	Dual head JST-PH2.0MM-5P Dupont Line	1
11	Dual head JST-PH2.0MM-4P Dupont Line	1
12	Dual head JST-PH2.0MM-3P Dupont Line	1
13	Dual head JST-PH2.0MM-2P Dupont Line	2
14	18650 2-Slot Battery Holder with 15cm Lead	1
Nuts/Screws
1	M2*12MM Round Head Screws	6
2	M2 Nickel Plated Nuts	6
3	M3*6MM Round Head Screws	20
4	M3*8MM Round Head Screws	8
5	M3*10MM Flat Head Screws	4
6	M3 Nickel Plated Nuts	12
7	M3*15+6MM Hex Copper Bush	4
8	Dual-pass M3*12MM Hex Copper Bush	4
9	Dual-pass M3*40MM Hex Copper Bush	4
Tools
1	3*40MM Screwdriver	1
2	Map	1
3	Black Ties 3*100MM	5
4	18650 Battery （not included）	2

Specifications

Connector port input: DC 6V—9V
Operating voltage of drive board system: 5V
Standard operating power consumption: about 2.2W
Maximum power: Maximum output power is 12W
Motor speed: 100RPM/1min
Working temperature range: 0-50℃
Size: 120*120*120mm
Environmental protection attributes: ROHS

Note: working voltage of micro:bit is 3.3V, driver shield integrates 3.3V/5V communication conversion circuit.

Introduction

1 What is Micro:bit?

Designed by BBC, Micro:bit main board aims to help children aged above 10 years old to have a better learning of programming.

It is equipped with loads of components,including a 5*5 LED dot matrix, 2 programmable buttons, a compass, a Micro USB interface and a Bluetooth module and others. Though it is just the size of a credit card, it boasts multiple functions. To name just a few, it can be applied in programming video games, making interactions between light and sound, controlling a robot, conducting scientific experiments, developing wearable devices and make some cool inventions like robots and musical instruments, basically everything imaginable.

This new version, that’s the version 2.0, of Micro:bit main board has a touch-sensitive logo and a MEMS microphone. And there is a buzzer built in the other side of the board which makes playing all kinds of sound possible without any external equipment. The golden fingers and gears added provide a better fixing of crocodile clips. Moreover, this board has a sleeping mode to lower the power consumption of battery and it can be entered if users long press the Reset & Power button on the back of it. More importantly, the CPU capacity of this version is much better than that of the V1.5 and the V2 has more RMA.

In final analysis, the V2 Micro:bit main board can allow customers to explore more functions so as to make more innovative products.

2 Comparison between V2.0 & V1.5

Micro:bit main board V2.0

Micro:bit main board V1.5

More details:

For the Micro: Bit main board V2, pressing the Reset & Power button , it will reset the Micro: Bit and rerun the program.If you hold it tight, the red LED will slowly get darker.When the power indicator becomes darker, releasing the button and your Micro: Bit board will enter sleep mode for power saving .This will make your battery more durable. And you could press this button again to ‘wake up’ your Micro:bit.

For more information,please resort to following links：

https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/

https://microbit.org/new-microbit/

https://www.microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/overview/

https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/features-in-depth/

3 Pinout

Micro:bit main board V2.0 VS V1.5

Browse the official website for more details:

https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/edgeconnector/

https://microbit.org/guide/hardware/pins/

4 Notes for the application of Micro:bit main board V2.0

it is recommended to cover it with a silicone protector to prevent short circuit for it has a lot of sophisticated electronic components.
its IO port is very weak in driving since it can merely handle current less than 300mA. Therefore, do not connect it with devices operating in large current,such as servo MG995 and DC motor or it will get burnt. Furthermore, you must figure out the current requirements of the devices before you use them and it is generally recommended to use the board together with a Micro:bit shield.
It is recommended to power the main board via the USB interface or via the battery of 3V. The IO port of this board is 3V, so it does not support sensors of 5V. If you need to connect sensors of 5 V, a Micro: Bit expansion board is required.

d.When using pins(P3, P4, P6, P7, P10)shared with the LED dot matrix, blocking them from the matrix or the LEDs may display randomly and the

data about sensors maybe wrong.

e.The battery port of 3V cannot be connected with battery more than 3.3V or the main board will be damaged.

f. Forbid to use it on metal products to avoid short circuit.

To put it simple, Micro:bit V2 main board is like a micro computer which has made programming at our fingertips and enhanced digital innovation. And about programming environment, BBC provides a website: https://microbit.org/code/, which has a graphical MakeCode program easy for use.

Install Micro:bit Driver

If you have downloaded micro:bit driver, then no need to download it again.

If it is you first time to use micro:bit main board, then you will have to download the driver.

You have to install the driver of micro:bit if it’s your first time to use micro:bit.

You could enter the link: https://fs.keyestudio.com/KS4014Driver to download driver file .

Assemble Turtle Car

Connection of Micro:bit and Turtle Smart Car

Pins of Micro:bit	Components of Keyestudio micro:bit Robot Car
P0	Passive Buzzer
P1	Trig（T） of ultrasonic sensor
P2	Echo（E）of ultrasonic sensor
P8	4 pcs WS2812RGB
P11	IR Receiver
P14	Left TCRT5000 IR tubes of line tracking sensor
P15	Middle TCRT5000 IR tubes of line tracking sensor
P16	Right TCRT5000 IR tubes of line tracking sensor