Makeblock mBot2 User manual

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Digital Technology
MakeBlock mBot2 / CyberPi
Block Coding
Version 1.0 Barry Butler
Feb [e-mail]

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Content and Challenges
Section
Content
A
The mBot2 Vehicle
B
Introduction and Setup
C
Our First Program –Hello
D
Push the Buttons
E
Run the Motors
F
Avoid or Seek
G
Detect and Follow a Line
H
SumoBot
I
Connect Servos, Sensors and Motors
Appendix 1
CyberPi Extras
Documentation
https://www.yuque.com/makeblock-help-center-en/mblock-5
CyberPi Blocks https://www.yuque.com/makeblock-help-center-en/cyberpi
(including Pocket Shield, mBot2 Shield and mBuild Modules)
Firmware Update
To update the CyberPi firmware:
1. Open the online ide at https://ide.mblock.cc/#/
2. Click on Devices and add the CyberPi device to the list, if it is not there already
3. Click Connect and connect the CyberPi (download and install the device driver, if asked)
4. Click on Settings and select Firmware Update

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A. The mBot2 Vehicle
Documentation
MBot2 Introduction
https://education.makeblock.com/help/cyberpi-series/cyberpi-series-cyberpi-
series-packages-and-extensions/mbot2-introduction/
Operational Guide
https://education.makeblock.com/help/cyberpi-series/cyberpi-series-cyberpi-
series-packages-and-extensions/mbot2-operational-guide/
Python Reference
https://www.yuque.com/makeblock-help-center-en/mcode/cyberpi-api-
shields#9eo89
mBuild Modules (Ultrasonic Sensor 2, Quad RGB Sensor)
https://www.yuque.com/makeblock-help-center-en/mcode/cyberpi-api-mbuild
or
https://education.makeblock.com/help/mblock-python/mblock-python-editor-
python-api-documentation-for-devices/mblock-python-editor-python-api-
documentation-for-cyberpi/mblock-python-editor-apis-for-mbuild-modules/
The Build The Connections
(Ultrasonic into the mBuild port, motors to EM1/EM2)
The Power Switch must be turned on
before the you can upload code

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B. Introduction and Setup
Download and Install the Software
Download and install the mBlock Windows or Mac software from https://mblock.makeblock.com/en-us/download/
(The PC software seems to be more stable than the web version located at https://python.mblock.cc/ )
1. Run the MakeBlock software
Mode switch File menu Rename project Coding space
Connection button
When you Connect and change to Upload mode the Upload button appears, to upload code to the mBot2.
Click the Setting button to carry out a firmware update and set up a wi-fi
connection.

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2. INSTALL AND UPDATE BLOCK MODULES
If the mBot2, Ultrasonic Sensor 2 or Quad RGB Sensor pictures have a plus or update symbol on them, click
on this symbol to add or update these blocks.
Click the Add buttons to add these block sets to your software.
3. TURN ON THE MBOT2 USING THE SWITCH ON THE SIDE
The lights on both the ultrasonic sensor and the line follower sensor should turn on. If they are don’t, the
wiring is incorrect or unplugged, and needs to be fixed.
4. Select Upload mode.
5. Plug the mBot2 into a USB port and click the Connect button .
Select your USB port from the list and click Connect.
Find Your Port
You can easily find your device by first
leaving your mBot unplugged. Click
Connect and look at the list of USB ports.
Close the connect window, then plug in
your mBot2. Click Connect again and
look for the port that has just been
added.

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6. Click on the File menu and select New Project.
7. Start coding

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C. Our First Program – Hello
Our first program will write ‘hello’ on the console, say it on the audio speaker and turn all LED’s to green for 2
seconds.
Click the Upload button to send your code to the mBot2.
The code will start executing immediately it is uploaded.
Unsuccessful Upload
If the upload is unsuccessful check three things:
1. The mBot2 is turned on (the power switch on the left side).
2. The cable is plugged in and a connection established (see section B4).

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Save the Project and Upload to the CyberPi
Save the project to your computer by clicking on the File menu and choosing Save to your
computer.
It is a good idea to create a folder to contain all your projects.
Make sure you type in a descriptive name for your file.

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D. Buttons
The mBot2 is controlled by a module called cyberpi. This has a joystick, a home button and two push buttons (A and
B). We can use the joystick and buttons in our code. It also has a light sensor and microphone that we can use.
Instead of the code running automatically when it is uploaded, let’s turn on the display when we press button A.

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E. Run the Motors
There are a number of ways we may want to move the mBot2. The blocks we need are in the mBot2 Chassis group.
Movement
Commands
Forward or backward
forever.
(Should only be used when the
ultrasonic sensor or colour
sensors are used to control
when the motors should stop)
Forward or backward for
a length of time
Forward or backward for
a fixed distance
Turn on the spot for a
length of time
(wheels turning in different
directions)
Turn for a number of
degrees of heading
Gradual turn for a length
of time
(wheels turning in the same
direction or one wheel
stopped)
Stop motors
cm
seconds
forever
time
degrees
time