mBot Makers

Index Numbers animatronics craft supplies, 120 2.4G module, 20–22 electronics, 120 2.4G serial connection, 60 overview, 119–120 2.5 mm barrel plug, 31 sensing and movement, 121 5V motors, 246 tools, 120 6P6C modular jack, 28–30, 53 Arduino A pin numbers, 29–30 uploading to, 106–108, 110–111 AA battery holder, 32 actuators, using frames, 41 AT328, 29 add-on sensors. See also sensors B 7-segment display, 117 connecting, 114–118. See also Balloon Tag, 72–75 battery and mCore, installing, 16–18 sensors battery holder, 15, 32. See also LIB Joystick, 117 LED matrix, 118 (lithium ion battery) connector LED Strips, 118 BattleBots, 27 Light, 117 behaviors, setting and resetting, Me LED 4x, 116 PIR Motion, 117 96–97 Potentiometer, 117 bins, using for storage, 40–41 RJ25 adapter, 118 block length, managing, 178–179 Sound, 117 block-based programming Temperature, 118 aluminum explained, 95–96 frame, 8 screen width, 178–179 parts, 10 blocks, navigating on mobile analog sensors, 94–95, 97. See also devices, 68–72 sensors Bluetooth, 20–22, 27, 60 <AND> operator, using in bolt, measuring diameter and mBlock, 99 length, 4 brushed and brushless motors, 245. See also motors

building big DC power Fan for Crowded Room, harnessing, 245–251 286–288 trade-off, 278 Fire Management System, 275–286 default program overview, 274–275 versus firmware, 60 options, 63–64 building small dollhouse terminology, 251 digital I/O port, 29 Fan for Crowded Room, digital sensors, 93, 97. See also 267–274 Fire Management System, sensors 253–267 display, 60 kitchen made from shoebox, 252 dollhouse services, 245, 251 Donahue, Gary, 36 C Door Monitor cables button, 197 color alignment, 53 CheckDoorState functions, 199 crimping, 54–55 custom block, 198, 201 ends, 54 Line Follower sensor, 195 making, 55–58 opening and closing, 200–201 parts, 53 overview, 194 switches, 196 case, making, 52 double digital components, 29 Catapult Ball Launcher, 214–223 CD Scoop, 205–207 E chassis, motors and wheels, 3–12 CheckDoorState functions, 199 electronics, animatronics, 120 classroom use, 28 Elijah, Josh, 239 compass sensor, 60 equality, checking for, 198 components, storing, 37 exporting values to spreadsheets, copying script blocks, 91 cover, adding, 51–52 192–194 craft supplies, animatronics, 120 eyes CurrentTemp value, 185 custom blocks lighting up, 121–124 rotating, 138–144 naming, 201 using in mBlock, 102, 104, 107, 111 F D Fan for Crowded Room—Large, 286–288 data-logging device, conceptualizing, 171–172 Fan for Crowded Room—Small CheckForMotion, 273 DC motors, 8 choosing fans, 269 HVAC modeling, 268 PIR motion sensor, 271–272 State Check code, 270 290 MBOT FOR MAKERS

temperature sensor, 268–269 Robot with 9g Servo Grabber, thermostat, 273–274 223–239 Fire Management System—Large Beefcake Relay board, 276–277 Spear-Lowering Servo, 208–213 blocks in Robots palette, 281 Green Flag block, mBlock, 89 checking program and wiring, 283 gyro sensor, 60 control wires, 280 DC power, 277–278 H garden sprinkler solenoids, hardware serial component, 29 277–278 hat blocks, 174–175 maintaining flexibility, 279 head mounting fire sensor, 284 NC (normally closed) pins, 277 attaching to body, 130–131 NO (normally open) pins, 277 combining with LED eyes, 131 overview, 275–276 turning randomly, 125–131 pin names, 282 Head Turning Randomly Using 9g power input, 280 Servo and RJ25 Adapter, 125–131 Set Digital Pin Output, 280–281 HighTemp and LowTemp variables, setup with plumbing, 284 184–185 testing, 285 hot glue gun, using, 25 Fire Management System—Small Hudy, Joey, 277 building code, 263–267 Humidity sensor, 60 DC water pumps, 253–257 flame sensor, 256, 258 I hose and sprinkler valve, 261–262 IR LED, 260 I2C devices, serial port, 29 LED throwies, 259, 261 <IF> statement, using in mBlock, 99 Firmata protocol, 58 If/Else block, using in loops, 184 firmware versus default program, 60 IKEA TROFAST bins, using for Forever loop, 92, 104 frame storage, 40–41 making and using, 43–50 infrared receiver and transmitter, using with sensors and mCore board, 35 actuators, 41 installing G mCore and battery, 16–18 motors on chassis, 3–12 game challenges sensors, 12–14 Catapult Ball Launcher, 214–223 wheels on chassis, 3–12 CD Scoop, 205–207 IR remote, 26–27, 60. See also Maze-Solving mBot Using remote Standard Sensors, 239–243 overview, 204–205 J joystick input, 60 JST connectors, using, 249 JST lithium ion battery connector, 31–32 INDEX 291

K M Kepler, Jon, 223 M on parts list, 3 keyboard commands, 203–204 Makeblock app “kid electronics,” 28 aluminum parts, 10 L Context menu, 176 control panels, 173 laser cut files, 51, 147, 215 custom elements, 177 Latching Trigger sensor, 96 Design and Play mode, 174 Latching Trigger with Reset displaying sensor values, 174 displaying variables, 177–178 sensor, 97 features, 64–65 LED eyes, combining with moving hats, 174–175 Line Graph block, 175 head, 131 LowestTemp threshold, 181 LED matrix, 60. See also Math palette, 178 products, 9, 11 RGB LEDs scripts and UI elements, 181 left motor, 24. See also motors setting sensor locations, 177 LEGO Technic frame, making and status displays, 173 temperature probe, 175 using, 43–50 variables, 180 LEGO Technic parts, 10–11 Makeblock sketch, creating, 174 LEGOs, damage done by, 36 mapping values, 101 LIB (lithium ion battery) connector, Math palette, using in Makeblock, 178 31. See also battery holder Maze-Solving mBot Using Standard Light Sensor Sensors, 239–243 mBlock. See also Scratch graphical reading, 99 programming language using to “feed” creature, <AND> operator, 99 analog sensors, 94 144–150 binary values, 93–94 Light-Chasing Robot, 235–239 Brightness control, 90 Light-Emitting Head-Shaking calculations and conditionals, 92 checking for equality, 198 Creature, 230–235 copying script blocks, 91 LightVal, 100 custom blocks, 102, 104, 107 Line Follower sensor exporting values to image and description, 116 spreadsheets, 192–194 using with Door Monitor, 195 Forever loop, 92, 104 Line Graph block, adding Green Flag block, 89 Code, 175 line-following, 60 loops If/Else block, 184 using in mBlock, 99 Loudness block, 89 LowTemp and HighTemp variables, 181, 184–185 292 MBOT FOR MAKERS

hexagons, 93–94 out of box, 25 <IF> statement, 99 parts out of box, 2 IfElse comparator, 90 powering up, 31–33 lists of variables, 188 rack, 25 loops, 99 updating, 58–61 Loudness block, 89 wiring, 19–20 Map function, 102 mBot Motor pins, connecting, 250 Me Joystick, 95 mBot remote, testing, 23–25 Me Sound Sensor, 103 mCore board monitoring sensors, 182–194 and battery installation, 16–18 panda sprite, 183 components, 35 programming environment, features, 8–9, 28 infrared receiver and 75–77 repositioning red light, 91 transmitter, 35 Reset Timer, 200 memory limitations, 187 Say block, 104 numbered ports, 30 Say loop, 92 piezo buzzer, 35 Scripts panel, 88 protecting, 42 sensors, 93–95 push button, 35 Stage area, 185 RGB LEDs, 35 strings, 198 sensors, 35–36 switch cases, 99–100 storing and charging, 42 switching to Arduino mode, 110 storing with mixed materials, 41 traffic light volume meters, strengths, 247 testing connections, 23 88–93 uploading to, 106–108 variables, 98–99, 198 wiring to, 129–130 versions of lights, 90 Me Flame sensor, 60 XY-coordinate grid, 185 Me Joystick, 95 YellowLight script, 91 Me Light Sensor, 101 mBlock connections Me Sound Sensor, 103 2.4G wireless serial, 81–83 Me Touch sensor, 60 Bluetooth for macOS, 80–81 measurement, using sensors, 172–173 Bluetooth for Windows, 79–80 metric parts, 2, 5 types, 77–78 mobile devices, navigating blocks, USB, 83–85 68–72 web-based tool, 77 Mode A: Remote Manual Control, mBlock lists, importing data into, 193 23–24 mBot Mode B: Wall Avoidance/Range assembled, 2 Checker, 24 communication, 20–22 Mode C: Line-Following, 24–25 firmware update, 59 INDEX 293

motion sensor, triggering, 156–162 motors and wheels, 3 motor ports, 29–30 Robot with 9g Servo Grabber, motors. See also left motor 223 brushed and brushless, 245 sensors, 12 connecting with two wires, servo grabber, 223, 227 Spear-Lowering Servo, 208 247–251 piezo buzzer, mCore board, 35 connectors, 247 PIR motion sensor, Fan for installing on chassis, 3–12 Crowded Room, 271–272 and wheels, 3–12 programming, block-based, 95–96 mounting wire and servo, 125–126 Project Gallery, 65–68 mouth, opening, 132–138 projects “Feeding” Your Creature Using N Light Sensor, 144–150 navigation. See robot navigation Head Turning Randomly Using O 9g Servo and RJ25 Adapter, 125–131 obstacle avoidance, 60 Opening Mouth Using 9g Servo onboard sensors and RJ25 Adapter, 132–138 overview, 26–27 button, 114 Propeller Spins with Ultrasonic buzzer, 115 Sensor, 151–155 components, 28–30 Random Light-up Eyes Using features, 36 RGB LED Sensor, 121–124 IR sensor, 116 Rotating Eyes Using 9g Servo LED x 2, 115 and RJ25 Adapter, 138–144 Light, 115 Servo Arm with Paw Reaches Opening Mouth Using 9g Servo and Out When Motion Sensor Is RJ25 Adapter, 132–138 Triggered, 156–162 storing, 37–39 P Touch Sensor Triggers Scrolling Message, 162–168 panda sprite, 183, 185 Proportional Control sensor, 100–106 parts puppet movement with sensors “Feeding” Your Creature Using battery holder, 15 Light Sensor, 144–150 cables, 53 Propeller Spins with Ultrasonic Catapult Ball Launcher, 214–223 Sensor, 151–155 CD Scoop, 205 Servo Arm with Paw Reaches LEGO Technic frame, 44 Out When Motion Sensor Is Light-Chasing Robot, 235–239 Triggered, 156–162 Light-Emitting Head-Shaking Creature, 230 mBot communication, 20–22 mCore and battery, 16 294 MBOT FOR MAKERS

Touch Sensor Triggers Scrolling scale prototype, 251 Message, 162–168 Scratch graphical programming puppet movement without sensors language. See also mBlock Head Turning Randomly Using advantages, 185 9g Servo and RJ25 Adapter, center-original coordinate 125–131 plane, 186 Opening Mouth Using 9g Servo features, 28, 75–76 and RJ25 Adapter, 132–138 keyboard input, 191–192 Random Light-up Eyes Using resources, 76 RGB LED Sensor, 121–124 Rotating Eyes Using 9g Servo screen width, 178–179 and RJ25 Adapter, 138–144 screwdriver, Phillips and hex tips, 13 script blocks, copying, 91 push button, mCore board, 35 scrolling message, triggering, R 162–168 sensing and movement, race course, 27 Random Light-up Eyes Using RGB animatronics, 121 sensor locations, setting, 177 LED Sensor, 121–124 sensor loops, flow of, 183–184 reed switches, using with Door sensor readings, storing and Monitor, 196–197 checking, 98 remote, testing, 23–25. See also IR sensor recipes remote Latching Trigger, 96 Reset Default Program, 59, 113 Latching Trigger with Reset, 97 RGB LEDs, 35, 60, 105–106. See also Proportional Control, 100–106 State Check, 97–100 LEDs sensor values, displaying, 174 RJ25 cables, using with Door sensors. See also add-on sensors; analog sensors; digital sensors; Monitor, 197 onboard sensors RJ25 connector, 53 features, 36, 60 RJ25 plug, 28–30 installing, 12–14 robot navigation, keyboard monitoring in mBlock, 182–194 using for measurement, 172–173 commands, 203–204 using frames, 41 Robot Petting Zoo, 132 using in mBlock, 93–95 Robot with 9g Servo Grabber, 223– servo and wire, mounting, 125–126 servo arm, building, 127–129 239. See also servos servo grabber Rotating Eyes Using 9g Servo and attaching to mBot, 227–229 printing and assembling, RJ25 ADapter, 138–144 223–227 S Sanz, Dani, 239 Say block, 104 Say loop, 92 INDEX 295

servos. See also Robot with 9g Servo adding to TempRecords, Grabber 189–190 Spear-Lowering Servo, 208–213 Catapult Ball Launcher, 214–223 collecting, 192 explained, 246 taking, 190 Spear-Lowering Servo, temperature sensor, 60, 268–269 testing SetGreenLight custom block, 111 Fire Management System— sizing, simplifying, 3 sketches, creating in Makeblock, 174 Large, 285 soil moisture sensor, 169–170 mBot remote, 23–25 sound on boot, 60 mCore connections, 23 Spear-Lowering Servo, 208–213 sensors in mBlock, 104 spreadsheets, exporting values to, traffic light volume meters, 92 thermometer, 173, 187 192–194 thermostat, Fan for Crowded Room, StandardFirmata program, 58 273–274 State Check sensor, 97–100 Thingiverse, 223 stepper motors, 246 Tinkering Studio, 162 storing tires, attaching over wheels, 8 tools, animatronics, 120 assembled mBot, 39–40 traffic light volume meter and charging mCore board, 42 adding code, 88 components, 37 Brightness control, 90 mCore with mixed materials, 41 Button sprite, 87–88 projects, 37–39 coding, 88–93 Sumo wrestling, 27 copying script blocks, 91 switch cases, using in mBlock, Forever loop, 92 99–100 Green Flag block, 89 If/Else comparator, 90 T Loudness block, 89 making independent, 108–113 Technic frame. See LEGO Technic overview, 85 frame reinstalling default program, 113 repositioning red light, 91 temperature Say loop, 92 monitoring in hallway, 189 Scripts panel, 88 normal range, 186 sprites, 85–86 SampleDelay, 191 testing prototype, 92 tracking and recording, 183 versions of lights, 90 word balloon, 90 temperature probe, 175 YellowLight script, 91 temperature reading displaying, 176 saving, 179 temperature readings 296 MBOT FOR MAKERS

U W UI elements, attaching to scripts, water-resistant thermometer, 173 181 websites ultrasonic sensor, 116, 151–155 laser cut files, 51, 147 Update Firmware option, 113 LEGO Technic frame, 44 updating mBot, 58–61 Tinkering Studio, 162 USB plug, 31–32. See also wired USB wheels, installing on chassis, 3–12 wire and servo, mounting, 125–126 connection wired USB connection, 60. See also USB plug V wiring mBot, 19–20 word balloon, displaying, 90 values, mapping, 101 variables X HighTemp and LowTemp, 184 XY-coordinate grid, displaying in listing in mBlock, 188 mBlock, 185 in Makeblock, 98–99, 177–178, Y 180 mBlock, 198 YellowLight script, 91 Velcro, using with mCore and battery, 16–17 INDEX 297