Meet the ActivityBot 360°
This compact, zippy robot matches a multi-core Propeller microcontroller brain with great hardware:
- Versatile Propeller Activity Board WX perched atop our classic, sturdy aluminum chassis
- Custom-made Feedback 360° High Speed servos and wheels with O-ring tires ensure straight straightaways and consistent maneuvers
- SD card for datalogging and file storage
- Electronic components for building navigation systems using touch, visible light, infrared light, and ultrasonic sensors

What It’s About
This tutorial is about building the ActivityBot robot and programming its 8-core Propeller microcontroller brain using the text-based C language. By following these pages step by step, you will learn to:
- Assemble and wire up your robot
- Set up the SimpleIDE programming software
- Find the special C libraries and example code just for your ActivityBot
- Write simple programs in C for the multi-core Propeller microcontroller
- Program your ActivityBot to navigate with encoders
- Build sensor-based navigation systems for your ActivityBot so it can navigate on its own
Hardware needed
NOTE: If you have the original ActivityBot with external encoders (#32500) use the Legacy Version tutorial instead.
Before You Start
To work with the ActivityBot 360°, you will need the SimpleIDE programming software set up. Learning a little about the Propeller microcontroller and practicing some programming before diving into robotics is also a good idea. Complete these short tutorials before you start:
- Make sure your robot’s servo motors have a yellow wire. If not, go to the legacy version for the original ActivityBot.
- Read Propeller Brains for Your Inventions
- Be software-ready with Propeller C – Set Up SimpleIDE
- Try some programming with Propeller C – Start Simple
- Expand your programming skills with Propeller C – Functions
After You Finish
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can mod your ’bot with your newfound skills.
If You Need Help
…we will help you! Email support@parallax.com .
Ready to get started? Just follow the links below.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 42 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Propeller C Programming with the ActivityBot 360°42
- 1.1Mechanical Assembly
- 1.2Check your Hardware
- 1.3Prepare the Tires
- 1.4Prepare the Chassis
- 1.5Prepare the Servos
- 1.6Mount the Right Servo
- 1.7Mount the Left Servo
- 1.8Mount the Battery Pack
- 1.9Mount the Tail Wheel
- 1.10Mount the Drive Wheels
- 1.11Mount the Activity Board WX
- 1.12Electrical Connections
- 1.13Software and Programming
- 1.14Circuit Practice
- 1.15Powering & Connecting Circuits
- 1.16Blinks
- 1.17Beeps
- 1.18Navigation Basics
- 1.19Test the Feedback 360° Servos
- 1.20Calibrate the ActivityBot 360°
- 1.21Go Certain Distances
- 1.22Set Certain Speeds
- 1.23Navigate by Touch
- 1.24Build the Whiskers
- 1.25Test the Whiskers
- 1.26Inside the Whisker Circuit (Optional)
- 1.27Add Whisker Indicator Lights
- 1.28Whisker-Wheel Response
- 1.29Roaming with Whiskers
- 1.30Navigate by Ultrasound
- 1.31Build and Test the Ping))) Sensor Circuit
- 1.32Roaming with Ultrasound
- 1.33Follow Objects with Ultrasound
- 1.34Navigate by Visible Light
- 1.35Meet the Photoransistor
- 1.36Build the Light Sensor Circuits
- 1.37Using the Measurements
- 1.38Roaming with Light Sensors
- 1.39Navigate by Infrared Flashlights
- 1.40Build the IR Sensor Circuits
- 1.41Test the IR Sensor Circuits
- 1.42Roaming with Infrared Flashlights