This tutorial shows you how to convert a built Boe-Bot with BS2, or Shield-Bot robot with Arduino Uno, into a Python-programmable cyber:bot robot with a micro:bit module. It takes the place of "Build your cyber:bot" in the cyber:bot Tutorial Series.
You will need these items:
You will need to complete the following Prerequisite tutorials before assembly:
Once your cyber:bot contstruction is complete, you will be ready to continue with the other tutorials in the cyber:bot Main Lessons. These use the electronic components in your original robot's kit. If you need replacements, the Small Robot Electronics Pack (#572-28132) is available separately [12].
The cyber:bot board is very similar to the Board of Education or Board of Education Shield. It fits on top of the same small robot chassis. It has 3-pin headers with selective voltage, and a 3-position switch for powering the breadboard circuits with or without powering the servos.
What is new is that this robot has more than one "brain." Your Python programs for a micro:bit mounted on the cyber:bot board will communicate with a pre-programmed Propeller multicore microcontroller "assistant" on the bottom of the board. The Propeller automatically controls the servo motors, interacts with sensor circuits, and replies back with data.
For a more complete reference, see the cyber:bot board guide.
The cyber:bot robot uses the same Continuous Rotation Servos as the Boe-Bot and Shield-Bot. You do not need to change the position of the servos!
The Boe-Bot and Shield-Bot instructions install the servos with the servo mounts inside the chassis, and with the servo cables pointing back towards the tail wheel. This is perfectly fine! You can keep them this way!
However, some images in this tutorial may show the servo mounts outside of the chassis, as shown below. This makes it easier to swap out servos if needed.
Other images may show the robot with the servo cables pointing towards the front of the robot. This makes it easy to re-center servos that have a potentiometer adjustment screw. However, this configuration' wider wheel base makes it harder for the robot to make turns. If your robot servos are ports-backward, you can still adjust the poteniometers using a long, thin screwdriver, if needed.
The cyber:bot uses a 5-AA battery pack. If your robot has a 4-AA battery pack, follow the steps below to replace it.
(1) cyber:bot board with micro:bit installed, servos and battery pack unplugged!
(2) 1/4-inch pan-head screws
(2) 7/8-inch pan-head screws
(2) white Nylon washers
(2) 1/2-inch round aluminum spacers
Now, it is time to connect the servo cables to the cyber:bot board. Then, you will set the servo ports' power jumper, based on what kind of batteries you are using. But first:
There is a smaller 3- pin header to the left of the servo ports. A shunt jumper connects two pins on it, selecting the voltage source supplied to the servos. The 5V setting limits the voltage to 5V, regardless of the input voltage. The VIN setting supplies the servo with whatever voltage level is connected to the board.
The Continuous Rotation Servos need 4 to 6 VDC to operate. So, the setting you should use depends on the kind of batteries you have.
Now you are ready to go to the next tutorial: Navigation with the cyber:bot. [17]
Links
[1] https://www.parallax.com/product/32707
[2] https://www.parallax.com/product/28832
[3] https://www.parallax.com/product/28132
[4] https://www.parallax.com/product/81031
[5] https://www.parallax.com/product/32335
[6] https://www.parallax.com/product/81033
[7] https://product/130-35000
[8] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/robot/cyberbot/get-started-microbit-and-python
[9] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/robot/cyberbot/add-modules-your-microbit
[10] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/robot/cyberbot/writing-microbit-programs
[11] https://learn.parallax.com/node/2596
[12] https://www.parallax.com/product/572-28132
[13] https://www.parallax.com/package/cyberbot-board-product-guide/
[14] https://www.parallax.com/product/32702
[15] https://www.parallax.com/product-category/microbit/mb-modules/
[16] https://www.parallax.com/product/805-00016
[17] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/robot/cyberbot/navigation-cyberbot