Creative Computing Robot Buggy Manual

Robot Buggy –Build Instructions
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Parts List
1 x buggy pack including instructions leaflet
(check parts in pack against leaflet) (a)
4 x wires (b)
1 x micro:bit edge connector (c)
1 x L9110s motor driver (d)
4 x jumper leads –green, yellow, blue,
burgundy (e)
2 x half-jumper leads –black, red (f)
1 x cable tie (g)
4 x AA batteries (h)
Other Requirements
BBC micro:bit
Mini-USB cable
Battery pack for micro:bit
Soldering iron & solder
Wire strippers
Small screwdriver
Sticky tape
(Optional) Electrical tape or duct tape
(Optional) Glue gun

Robot Buggy –Build Instructions
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A. Preparation
Step 1: Peel paper backing from robot chassis.
Step 2: Take out the instructions from the buggy pack and scan through the
pictures, so you know which part attaches where.
B. Soldering
Step 1: Solder the spare wires to the motors.
Step 2: Push the switch into the chassis, so that the ‘0’ side is facing the
narrower end of the chassis, and the ‘1’ side is facing the wider end.
Step 3: Follow the buggy leaflet’s instructions to screw the battery pack onto
the chassis. Feed the wires through one of the holes, so they are near
to the bare ends of the switch.
OPTIONAL: Cut both battery pack wires to a shorter length.
Step 4: Solder the red battery pack wire to the switch, to the leg that is in the
middle of the plastic.
Step 5: Solder the red half-jumper lead to the other leg of the switch.
Step 6: Solder the black half-jumper lead to the black battery pack wire.
OPTIONAL: Use electrical tape or duct tape to cover the join in the black wire.

Robot Buggy –Build Instructions
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C. Testing
Step 1: Plug the black lead onto the pin labelled GND on the motor driver.
Step 2: Plug the red lead onto the pin labelled Vcc on the motor driver.
Step 3: Put the AA batteries into the battery holder and flip the switch to the
on position.
CHECK: Does a red light come on on the motor driver? If not, check
your connections.
Step 4: Peel the backing off the foam on the motor driver and stick onto the
chassis, underneath the battery pack, with the pins you are currently
connected to facing the switch.
D. Wiring
Step 1: Follow the buggy leaflet’s instructions to attach the motors –make
sure that the wires are on the INSIDE. Don’t attach the wheels yet.
Step 2: Screw the motor wires into the motor driver in the following
configuration:
Left Motor –Bottom wire Right Motor –Bottom wire
Left Motor –Top wire Right Motor –Top wire
Step 3: Plug the coloured jumper leads onto the motor driver pins in the
following configuration:
B-1A
B-1B
GND
Vcc
A-1A
A-1B
Burgundy
Blue
Yellow
Green
PTO for picture of the completed motor driver connections.
OPTIONAL: Use electrical tape or duct tape to tape all 6 jumper lead ends
together, this will help keep them attached to the motor driver.
Step 4: Feed the other end of the jumper leads through the outside square
holes at the wider end of the chassis.

Robot Buggy –Build Instructions
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Step 5: Use the cable tie, through the middle square holes at the wider end of
the chassis, to attach the edge connector to the chassis.
Step 6: Plug the jumper leads into the edge connector in the following
configuration:
Pin 13
Pin 14
Pin 15
Pin 16
Green
Yellow
Blue
Burgundy
E. Final Touches
Step 1: Cut off the loose end of cable tie, and tape down the jumper wires and
battery pack wires so they cannot catch on anything.
Step 2: Follow the buggy leaflet’s instructions to attach the front castor wheel
–this can be fiddly, so don’t fully tighten the screws until they are all
in place.
Step 3: Carefully push the wheels onto the motors.
Step 4: Using the mu editor, flash the TEST.py program to your micro:bit.
CHECK: Does your micro:bit show a smiley face? If not, flash again.
Step 5: Unplug your micro:bit from the computer, and attach the battery pack.
Step 6: Slot your micro:bit into the edge connector.

Robot Buggy –Build Instructions
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F. Final Test
Step 1: Place your finished robot buggy on the floor with plenty of space
around it.
Step 2: Press the A button on your micro:bit and watch it go!
TROUBLESHOOTING –Is your buggy not working as expected?
Your buggy is not moving at all!
Check that your micro:bit is showing a smiley face -- Go back to E.
Check that your motor driver is showing a red light -- Go back to C.
Check that all the wires are still connected -- Go back to D.
Your buggy is moving in the wrong direction!
Check that the jumper leads are connected to the right pins -- Go back to D.
Your motors appear to have a mind of their own!
Check that all the wires are connected correctly -- Go back to D.
OPTIONAL: Once you are sure your buggy works as intended, use a hot glue gun
to cover any sharp solder connections e.g. on the motors.