Custom blocks for the :MOVE Motor for BBC micro:bit (www.kitronik.co.uk/5683). The blocks in this extension are in four main groups: Lights, Sensors, Motors and Sounds.
This repository can be added as an extension in MakeCode.
- open https://makecode.microbit.org/
- click on New Project
- click on Extensions under the gearwheel menu
- search for "move motor" and import
The Lights section contains blocks to control the 4 ZIP LEDs on the :MOVE motor.
Any block which does not have "show" in the name needs to be followed by a "show" block to make the changes visible.
The first block sets up the ZIP LEDs attached to the :MOVE motor board as a variable, enabling them to be controlled in the program. The number of ZIP LEDs can be changed to match the number connected, but BBC micro:bit pin connection is automatically assigned:
let moveMotorZIP: Kitronik_Move_Motor.MoveMotorZIP = null
moveMotorZIP = Kitronik_Move_Motor.createMoveMotorZIPLED(4)
To set the colour of all the ZIP LEDs use the "set color" block. To view the changes there needs to be a show block after this block.
let moveMotorZIP: Kitronik_Move_Motor.MoveMotorZIP = null
moveMotorZIP.setColor(Kitronik_Move_Motor.colors(Kitronik_Move_Motor.ZipLedColors.Red))
To set an individual LED to a colour use the "set ZIP LED" block. To view the changes there needs to be a show block after this block.
moveMotorZIP.setZipLedColor(0, Kitronik_Move_Motor.colors(Kitronik_Move_Motor.ZipLedColors.Red))
The brightness of the LEDs can be controlled with the "set brightness" block. To view the changes there needs to be a show block after this block.
moveMotorZIP.setBrightness(255)
"Rotate" moves each LED along the chain, and then takes the end one back to the first. To view the changes there needs to be a show block after this block.
moveMotorZIP.rotate(1)
To clear the LEDs use the "clear" block. To view the changes there needs to be a show block after this block.
moveMotorZIP.clear()
The "show" block shows the changes that have been made since the last time a "show" was called.
moveMotorZIP.show()
"Show rainbow" displays a rainbow pattern. This block does not need a separate "show" block following it.
moveMotorZIP.showRainbow(1, 360)
"Show color" sets the LEDS to a colour and shows the change.
moveMotorZIP.showColor(Kitronik_Move_Motor.colors(Kitronik_Move_Motor.ZipLedColors.Red))
The range block allows a variable to be created that represents a selection of the LEDs.
let ZipLEDRange = moveMotorZIP.range(0, 4)
The colours that can be set in a handy list.
moveMotorZIP.setColor(Kitronik_Move_Motor.colors(Kitronik_Move_Motor.ZipLedColors.Yellow))
You can set any mix of red, green and blue using the "set color" block.
moveMotorZIP.setColor(Kitronik_Move_Motor.rgb(255, 255, 255))
As well as all the micro:bit sensors, the :MOVE motor has 2 additional ones: An Ultrasonic Distance Sensor, and a pair of Line Following Sensors.
The "measure distances in" block sets the units of measurement - cm or inches.
The "measure distance" block gives a value that corresponds to the distance that the sensor has measured.
basic.showNumber(Kitronik_Move_Motor.measure())
The digital block "line following sensor detects" is used to give a true/false for the line following sensor detecting a light or dark surface.
if (Kitronik_Move_Motor.sensorDigitalDetection(Kitronik_Move_Motor.LfSensor.Left, Kitronik_Move_Motor.LightSelection.Light)) {
Kitronik_Move_Motor.beepHorn()
}
The "line following sensor value" block returns the value of the analog input from the line following sensor.
basic.showNumber(Kitronik_Move_Motor.readSensor(Kitronik_Move_Motor.LfSensor.Left))
The sensors have a sensitivity level that can be adjusted with the "set sensors to" block.
Kitronik_Move_Motor.sensorSetup(Kitronik_Move_Motor.DetectorSensitivity.Low)
The Drive blocks enable simple control of the :MOVE Motor.
Move in a direction:
Kitronik_Move_Motor.move(Kitronik_Move_Motor.DriveDirections.Forward, 50)
When the Left or Right directions are used then the buggy will move forwards, but turn as it does so. To rotate on the spot use the spin block:
Kitronik_Move_Motor.spin(Kitronik_Move_Motor.SpinDirections.Left, 35)
The "stop" block stops the :MOVE Motor driving.
Kitronik_Move_Motor.stop()
The Setup blocks control the way the :MOVE Motor drives.
The "bias to" block can be used to balance the motor speeds so that the :MOVE Motor drives in a straight line.
Kitronik_Move_Motor.motorBalance(Kitronik_Move_Motor.SpinDirections.Left, 5)
The tightness of the turns made using the "move" block is controlled by the "set turn radius" block.
Kitronik_Move_Motor.turnRadius(Kitronik_Move_Motor.TurnRadii.Tight)
The motor control blocks allow the individual motors to be controlled for both direction and speed.
Kitronik_Move_Motor.motorOn(Kitronik_Move_Motor.Motors.MotorLeft, Kitronik_Move_Motor.MotorDirection.Forward, 100)
The individual motors can be stopped by calling the "turn off" block.
Kitronik_Move_Motor.motorOff(Kitronik_Move_Motor.Motors.MotorLeft)
There are two blocks in the Sounds section; one to beep the horn, and one to turn on/off the siren.
This block beeps the onboard buzzer like a horn:
Kitronik_Move_Motor.beepHorn()
The second block can run a siren in the background:
Kitronik_Move_Motor.soundSiren(Kitronik_Move_Motor.OnOffSelection.On)
The buzzer is connected to pin 0, so the normal music blocks can also be used.
MIT
- for PXT/microbit