Strawbees Robotic Inventions

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Strawbees Robotic Inventions for micro:bit

This package allows you to program the micro:bit to use it with our kit Robotic Inventions for micro:bit.

The kit allows you to control up to three servos (standard or continuous) and two built-in RGB LEDs.

If you want to learn how to use this kit in the classroom, please visit our learning platform.

Getting started

We have prepared an onboarding guide that will help you get started with the Robotic Inventions for micro:bit. Make sure to check it before using the kit for the first time. The guide will cover:

Assemble the Strawbees Robotics Board for the micro:bit.
Use a battery to power the micro:bit.
Use motors with the Robotics Board and the micro:bit.
Connect the micro:bit to Strawbees structures.
Installing and Getting Started with the Strawbees MakeCode extension.
Use the micro:bit Coding cards.

Download onboarding PDF

First program

If this is your first time using the kit (or if you are preparing it to use it in the classroom for the first time), we recommend that you start by programming the micro:bit with the example below. It allows you to control the servo with the buttons and is a great way to start exploring the movement possibilities before diving into coding.

let position = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.buttonIsPressed(Button.A)) {
        position += -1
        sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), sb.color(SBColor.Red))
    } else {
        sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), sb.color(SBColor.Blue))
    }
})
basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.buttonIsPressed(Button.B)) {
        position += 1
        sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedB), sb.color(SBColor.Red))
    } else {
        sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedB), sb.color(SBColor.Blue))
    }
})
basic.forever(function () {
    position = Math.constrain(position, 0, 100)
    sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), position)
})

Coding Cards

Coding cards are small snippets of code that can be used to explore different concepts.

They are not meant to be used as they are but for you to tweak the numbers and combine the cards to get the expected result.

The cards are grouped by the hardware in use:

Hardware icons

Blink

basic.forever(function () {
    sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), sb.color(SBColor.White))
    basic.pause(1000)
    sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), sb.color(SBColor.Black))
    basic.pause(1000)
})

Back and forth

basic.forever(function () {
    sb.transitionServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 0, 1, sb.easing(SBEasing.Linear))
    sb.transitionServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100, 1, sb.easing(SBEasing.Linear))
})

Change color 10 times

for (let index = 0; index < 10; index++) {
    sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 0, 0)
    basic.pause(500)
    sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 0, 0, 100)
    basic.pause(500)
}
sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 0, 0, 0)

Wave 10 times

for (let index = 0; index < 10; index++) {
    sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 20)
    basic.pause(1000)
    sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 80)
    basic.pause(1000)
}

Gradually change brightness

input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function () {
    brightness = Math.constrain(brightness + 4, 0, 100)
})
let brightness = 0
brightness = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    sb.setRgbLedColorHSB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 0, 100, brightness)
})

Gradually change position

input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function () {
    position = Math.constrain(position + 4, 0, 100)
})
let position = 0
position = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), position)
})

Change color while pressing button

basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.buttonIsPressed(Button.A)) {
        sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 0, 0)
    } else {
        sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 0, 0, 100)
    }
})

Change position while pressing button

basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.buttonIsPressed(Button.A)) {
        sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 0)
    } else {
        sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100)
    }
})

Shine in the dark

basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.lightLevel() < 50) {
        sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 0, 0)
    } else {

    }
})

Move in the dark

basic.forever(function () {
    sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), Math.constrain(input.lightLevel(), 0, 100))
})

Color party

basic.forever(function () {
    sb.setRgbLedColorHSB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), Math.randomRange(0, 100), 100, 100)
    basic.pause(200)
})

Shake

basic.forever(function () {
    sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), Math.randomRange(0, 100))
})

Rainbow

basic.forever(function () {
    for (let index = 0; index <= 100; index++) {
        sb.setRgbLedColorHSB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), index, 100, 100)
        basic.pause(100)
    }
})

Sweep motor

basic.forever(function () {
    for (let index = 0; index <= 100; index++) {
        sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), index)
        basic.pause(100)
    }
})

Loop over a list of colors

let list = [sb.colorLabel(SBColor.Red), sb.colorLabel(SBColor.Green), sb.colorLabel(SBColor.Blue)]
basic.forever(function () {
    for (let value of list) {
        sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), value)
        basic.pause(1000)
    }
})

Loop over a list of positions

let list = [0, 50, 100]
basic.forever(function () {
    for (let value of list) {
        sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), value)
        basic.pause(1000)
    }
})

Light switch

let toggle = 0
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function () {
    if (toggle == 0) {
        sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 0, 0)
        toggle = 1
    } else {
        sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 0, 0, 0)
        toggle = 0
    }
})

Press button to toggle position

let toggle = 0
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function () {
    if (toggle == 0) {
        sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 20)
        toggle = 1
    } else {
        sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 80)
        toggle = 0
    }
})

Tilt to change color

let movement = 0
let hue = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    movement = input.acceleration(Dimension.X)
    hue = Math.map(movement, -1023, 1023, 0, 100)
    sb.setRgbLedColorHSB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), hue, 100, 100)
})

Tilt to move

let movement = 0
let position = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    movement = input.acceleration(Dimension.X)
    position = Math.map(movement, -1023, 1023, 0, 100)
    sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), position)
})

Light alarm

basic.forever(function () {
    sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 0, 0, 0)
    if (input.acceleration(Dimension.Strength) > 1100) {
        sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 0, 0)
        basic.pause(4000)
    }
})

Move when moved

basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.acceleration(Dimension.Strength) > 1200) {
        sb.transitionServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100, 1, sb.easing(SBEasing.Linear))
        sb.transitionServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 0, 1, sb.easing(SBEasing.Linear))
    }
})

Send/Receive color: Sender

radio.setGroup(1)
basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.buttonIsPressed(Button.A)) {
        radio.sendValue("light", 100)
    } else {
        radio.sendValue("light", 0)
    }
})

Send/Receive color: Receiver

radio.onReceivedValue(function (name, value) {
    if (name == "light") {
        sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 0, value, 0)
    }
})
radio.setGroup(1)

Remote control motor: Sender

let movement = 0
radio.setGroup(1)
basic.forever(function () {
    movement = Math.map(input.acceleration(Dimension.X), -1023, 1023, 0, 100)
    radio.sendValue("movement", movement)
})

Remote control motor: Receiver

radio.onReceivedValue(function (name, value) {
    if (name == "movement") {
        sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), value)
    }
})
radio.setGroup(1)

Documentation

sb.setServoPosition

Sets the position of a servo by specifying a value ranging from 0% to 100%.

sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100)

Parameters

servo - Which servo (A, B or C) to set the position to.
position - The position ranging from 0% to 100%.

Example

Sets the position of a servo connected to the socket A all the way to the end-position (100%), wait one second, then return the servo to the start position (0%).

sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100)
basic.pause(1000)
sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 0)

sb.transitionServoPosition

Transitions the position of a servo over a duration of time (in seconds). The “shape” of the transition is specified by choosing one of the easing functions by name.

sb.transitionServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100, 1, sb.easing(SBEasing.Linear))

Parameters

servo - Which servo (A, B or C) to set the position to.
position - The position ranging from 0% to 100%.
duration - The duration of the transition, in seconds.
easing - The “shape” of the transition.

Example

Transitions the position a servo connected to the socket A to the end-position (100%), over 2 seconds. Then transition the servo back to the start-position (0%) also over 2 seconds. When the servo moves from one position to the other, the movement will start slow and then speed up, achieved by using the quad out easing function.

sb.transitionServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100, 2, sb.easing(SBEasing.QuadOut))
sb.transitionServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 0, 2, sb.easing(SBEasing.QuadOut))

sb.setContinuousServoSpeed

Sets the speed of a continuous servo in a arbitrary range from -100% to 100%. If the connected servo is not continuous, this will not work as expected.

sb.setContinuousServoSpeed(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100)

Parameters

servo - Which continuous servo (A, B or C) to set the speed to.
speed - The speed ranging from -100% to 100%.

Example

Sets a continuous servo connected to the socket B to full speed in the clockwise direction (100%), wait 3 seconds, then revert the direction to counter-clockwise, on half speed (-50%).

sb.setContinuousServoSpeed(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoB), 100)
basic.pause(3000)
sb.setContinuousServoSpeed(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoB), -50)

sb.turnOffServo

Turns a servo off so that no force will be applied and it can be rotated manually. This saves battery.

sb.turnOffServo(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA))

Parameters

servo - Which servo (A, B or C) to turn off.

Example

Sets the position of a servo connected to the socket A all the way to the end-position (100%), wait one second, then turn off the servo.

sb.setServoPosition(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA), 100)
basic.pause(100)
sb.turnOffServo(sb.servo(SBServo.ServoA))

sb.setRgbLedColorRGB

Sets the color of an individual RGB LED by specifying the amount of red, green and blue in the color. The amounts range from 0% to 100%.

sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 100, 100)

Parameters

rgbLed - Which RGB LED (A or B) to set the color.
red - Amount of red in color, ranging from 0% to 100%.
green - Amount of green in color, ranging from 0% to 100%.
blue - Amount of blue in color, ranging from 0% to 100%.

Example

Sets the RGB LED A to red, by specifing the color as percentages of red (100%), green (0%) and blue (0%).

sb.setRgbLedColorRGB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 0, 0)

sb.setRgbLedColorHSB

Sets the color of an individual RGB LED by specifying the amount of hue, saturation and brightness in the color. The amounts range from 0% to 100%.

sb.setRgbLedColorHSB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), 100, 100, 100)

Parameters

rgbLed - Which RGB LED (A or B) to set the color.
hue - Hue of the color, ranging from 0% to 100%.
saturation - Saturation of the color, ranging from 0% to 100%.
brightness - Brightness of the color, ranging from 0% to 100%.

Example

Sets the RGB LED B to red, by specifing the color as percentages of hue (0%), saturation (100%) and brightness (100%).

sb.setRgbLedColorHSB(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedB), 0, 100, 100)

sb.setRgbLedColor

Sets the color of an individual RGB LED by specifying the color by name.

sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), sb.color(SBColor.Red))

Parameters

rgbLed - Which RGB LED (A or B) to set the color.
color - The name of the color from a list of color labels.

Example

Sets RGB LEDs A and B, to yellow and green respectively, by selecting the colors by name from a pre-defined list.

sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedA), sb.color(SBColor.Yellow))
sb.setRgbLedColor(sb.rgbLed(SBRgbLed.RgbLedB), sb.color(SBColor.Green))

Supported targets

for PXT/microbit

License

MIT

makeCodeRender(“{{ site.makecode.home_url }}”, “{{ site.github.owner_name }}/{{ site.github.repository_name }}”);

Strawbees Robotic Inventions=github:strawbees/pxt-robotic-inventions#v0.1.26

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Approved content

strawbees/pxt-robotic-inventions 0.1.26 GitHub

Strawbees Robotic Inventions for micro:bit

Table of contents

Getting started

First program

Coding Cards

Blink

Back and forth

Change color 10 times

Wave 10 times

Gradually change brightness

Gradually change position

Change color while pressing button

Change position while pressing button

Shine in the dark

Move in the dark

Color party

Shake

Rainbow

Sweep motor

Loop over a list of colors

Loop over a list of positions

Light switch

Press button to toggle position

Tilt to change color

Tilt to move

Light alarm

Move when moved

Send/Receive color: Sender

Send/Receive color: Receiver

Remote control motor: Sender

Remote control motor: Receiver

Documentation

sb.setServoPosition

Parameters

Example

sb.transitionServoPosition

Parameters

Example

sb.setContinuousServoSpeed

Parameters

Example

sb.turnOffServo

Parameters

Example

sb.setRgbLedColorRGB

Parameters

Example

sb.setRgbLedColorHSB

Parameters

Example

sb.setRgbLedColor

Parameters

Example

Supported targets

License