This tutorial is the Legacy version, that supports the original ActivityBot with external encoders (#32500) and the ActivityBot 360° with Feedback 360° servos (#32600). If you or your classroom has only ActivtityBot 360° robots, go to BocklyProp with the ActivityBot 360° instead.
Dive into robotics, graphical programming, and electronics with the ActivityBot robot and BlocklyProp graphical programming! This tutorial will show you how.
What It Is About
This tutorial set will show you how to:
- Assemble your robot and wire up its motors and encoders.
- Make BlocklyProp graphical programs to control your robot.
- Build DIY sensor circuits on your robot enabling it to navigate on its own.
Along the way, you will learn some robotics, engineering, electronics, and programming concepts that you can apply to your inventions.
Hardware Needed
- One ActivityBot Robot Kit option from Parallax Inc:
- Computer with online access to the free BlocklyProp programming tool
- (5) 1.5 V AA batteries
Before You Start
Before you build and program your ActivityBot, follow these short tutorials to become familiar with Blockly and with circuit-building.
- Getting Started with BlocklyProp for the Activity Board WX
- Simple BlocklyProp Programs
- BlocklyProp Functions and Multicore
After You Finish
Once you have completed the entirety of these ActivityBot tutorials, you will be able to make your robot navigate on its own with different kinds of sensors. You will be ready to create new challenges for your robot and to add a variety of sensors and accessories to help with those challenges.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 47 Lessons
- Lifetime
- BlocklyProp Robotics with the ActivityBot (Legacy Version)47
- 1.1Build the ActivityBot
- 1.2Hardware Check
- 1.3Step 1 – Prepare External Encoders
- 1.4Step 2 – Prepare Tires
- 1.5Step 3 – Prepare Chassis
- 1.6Step 4 – Prepare Servos
- 1.7Step 5 – Mount Right Servo
- 1.8Step 6 – Mount Left Servo
- 1.9Step 7 – Mount Right Encoder
- 1.10Step 8 – Mount Left Encoder
- 1.11Step 9 – Mount Battery Pack
- 1.12Step 10 – Mount Tail Wheel
- 1.13Step 11 – Mount Drive Wheels
- 1.14Step 12 – Mount the Activity Board
- 1.15Electrical Connections
- 1.16Software and Programming Check
- 1.17Circuit Training
- 1.18Power & Connect Circuits
- 1.19Blink Lights
- 1.20Make a Beep
- 1.21Navigation Basics
- 1.22Feedback 360° Servo Test
- 1.23Feedback 360° Encoder Calibration
- 1.24External Encoder Test
- 1.25External Encoder Calibration
- 1.26Driving Distances
- 1.27Driving Speeds
- 1.28Taking Turns
- 1.29Acceleration and Speed Limits
- 1.30Navigate with Touch
- 1.31Build the Whisker Switches
- 1.32Test the Whisker Switches
- 1.33Whisker-Wheel Response
- 1.34Roaming with Whiskers
- 1.35Navigate with Ultrasound
- 1.36Build and Test the Ping))) Sensor Circuit
- 1.37Roaming with Ultrasound
- 1.38Maintain Distance with Ultrasound
- 1.39Navigate with Visible Light
- 1.40Build the Light Sensor Circuits
- 1.41Make the Measurements Useful
- 1.42Roaming with Light Sensors
- 1.43Navigate with Infrared Flashlights
- 1.44Build the IR Sensor Circuits
- 1.45Test the IR Sensor Circuits
- 1.46Roaming with Infrared Flashlights
- 1.47ActivityBot Troubleshooting
