Moto:bit

The package adds support for the moto:bit add-on board from SparkFun.

TODO: To use this package, go to https://pxt.microbit.org, click Add package and search for moto-bit.

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Not currently integrated into pxt. It must be manually added. This package is still under development and subject to changes.

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Usage

The package adds support for the moto:bit add-on board from SparkFun.

• moto:bit
• Shadow Chasis
• Hobby Gearmotor
• Wheel Pair
• RedBot Sensor - Line Follower
• ine Follower Array
• RedBot Sensor - Mechanical Bumper
• Servo Extention Cable

Micro:bit Pins Used

The following micro:bit pins are used for analog and digital sensors, motor driving:

• P0 -- Analog Input 0
• P1 -- Analog Input 1
• P2 -- Analog Input 2
• P8 -- Digital Input/Output
• P12 -- Digital Input/Output
• P14 -- Digital Input/Output
• P15 -- Servo Motor
• P16 -- Servo Motor
• P19 -- motor driver - SCL
• P20 -- motor driver - SDA

Set Motor Speed

To set the speed and direction for a motor, place the |set motor| block. The block takes three parameters: motor select, direction, and speed.

• The motor select must be either Left or Right
• Direction must be either Forward or Reverse
• Speed is an integer value between 0 and 100

motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Left, MotorDirection.Forward, 50)

Invert Motor Directon

When a motor turns opposite to the direction that was declared, the invert block may be used. The block accepts two parameters: motor select, and a boolean variable. When the boolean is set to true, the motor direction is inverted so that Forward no longer causes the motor to spin in Reverse, but rather Forward.

• The motor select must be either Left or Right
• Invert must be either true or false

motobit.invert(Motor.Left, true)

Enabling Motors

Regardless of the set motor speed, before the motors will turn on the switch on moto:bit must be set to "Run Motors", and the enable motors command must be set to ON

• Motor enable must be either On or Off.

motobit.enable(MotorPower.On)

Examples

Example: Receiving a packet of data over wireless

The following program reads a string to control the direction of two motors.

radio.onDataPacketReceived( ({ receivedNumber }) =>  {
    // Drive forward
    if (receivedNumber == 128) {
        led.plot(2, 0)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Left, MotorDirection.Forward, 50)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Right, MotorDirection.Forward, 50)
        motobit.enable(MotorPower.On)
    } else {
        led.unplot(2, 0)
    }
    // Turn left
    if (receivedNumber == 64) {
        led.plot(0, 2)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Left, MotorDirection.Reverse, 50)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Right, MotorDirection.Forward, 50)
        motobit.enable(MotorPower.On)
    } else {
        led.unplot(0, 2)
    }
    // Turn right
    if (receivedNumber == 32) {
        led.plot(4, 2)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Left, MotorDirection.Forward, 50)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Right, MotorDirection.Reverse, 50)
        motobit.enable(MotorPower.On)
    } else {
        led.unplot(4, 2)
    }
    // Drive in reverse
    if (receivedNumber == 16) {
        led.plot(2, 4)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Left, MotorDirection.Reverse, 50)
        motobit.setMotorSpeed(Motor.Right, MotorDirection.Reverse, 50)
        motobit.enable(MotorPower.On)
    } else {
        led.unplot(2, 4)
    }
    // Stop
    if (receivedNumber == 0) {
        motobit.enable(MotorPower.Off)
    }
})
radio.setGroup(13)

License

MIT

Supported targets

• for PXT/microbit

motobit=github:sparkfun/pxt-moto-bit