SunFounder Sloth:bit User manual

Preface
About SunFounder
SunFounder is a technology company
focused on Raspberry Pi and Arduino open
source community development. Committed
to the promotion of open source culture, we
strive to bring the fun of electronics making to
people all around the world and enable
everyone to be a maker.
Our products include learning kits,
development boards, robots, sensor
modules and development tools. In addition
to high quality products, SunFounder also
offers video tutorials to help you make your
own project. If you have interest in open
source or making something cool, welcome to
join us!
About This Kit
This cute learning kit utilize blocks and circuit
driving connecting rod structure to command
the robot to display different expressions. You
can learn the knowledge of bricks, structure
and circuit by applying this kit.

In this book, we will show you how to build the
robot via description, illustrations of
physical components in hardware respects.
You may visit our website
www.sunfounder.com to download the
related code and view the user manual on
LEARN -> Get Tutorials and watch related
videos under VIDEO.
Free Support
If you have any TECHNICAL questions,
add a topic under FORUM section on our
website and we'll reply as soon as
possible.
For NON-TECH questions like order and
shipment issues, please send an email
to [e-mail]. You're also
welcomed to share your projects on
FORUM

Contents
I. Introduction ...................................................1
II. What you need.............................................2
III. Getting start with micro:bit...................3
IV. Use makecode & sloth:bit block .........5
V. Assemble the robot ............................ 12
VI. Calibrate.............................................. 32
VII. Project .................................................. 37
1．Obstacle Avoidance example ..... 37
2．Voice example................................ 38
VIII. What’s next.......................................... 40
1．Resources of boards ....................... 40
2．Set gestures...................................... 40
3．Pins .................................................... 41
IX. Appendix ............................................. 43
FAQ.............................................................. 43
The problem of Bluetooth connection
............................................................... 43
Python code is not support ............... 43
Battery .................................................. 43
Voice sensor environmental thresholds
............................................................... 44
Abnormal of robot actions................ 45
Contact us........................................... 46

Javascript API............................................. 46
PC use micro:bit......................................... 46

1
I. Introduction
Sloth:bit is a programmable biped robot that use 9V
battery and controlled by BBC micro:bit to drive four
servos on driver circuits.
It’s easy programmable and convenient for
application. With BBC micro:bit, sloth:bit robot can be
applied by micro:bit app in Microsoft. The robot can
be controlled on pad or cellphone by visual
programming software; also, when downloading
program, you can connect Bluetooth without cables.
Different types of sensors are equipped with sloth:bit.
The micro:bit board is attached with acceleration,
terrestrial magnetism and temperature sensor,
infrared obstacle avoidance and voice sensor are
also attached inside.
Sloth:bit robot have reserved several extensibility
interfaces. Users can DIY hardware if needed and it is
convenient for modifying and extending functions.

2
II. What you need
Battery：
Pay attention to the battery type. The first three types
are accessible and the last one is unsuitable. Because
the last one is carbon-zinc battery, it can just apply in
low current.
Pad：
Ipad or mobile devices
of Andriod are all
suitable.

3
Application：
This app can be
searched at the App
store or Google Android
market.
III. Getting start with micro:bit
1．Search and install micro:bit application at the iPad
store.
2．Power on the micro:bit and the power light of the
board will be lighten up.(If the robot is not assembled,
micro USB wire cable can be used to supply power.)

4
3．Then open the Bluetooth on iPad and startup the
app that installed just now, the interface after
opening up is as shown below;
4．Follow the instruction of the software guide to
connect micro:bit with iPad.

5
IV. Use makecode & sloth:bit block
1. After connecting successfully, tap Home at the
upper left side to go back.
2. Click the second category Create Code.

6
This is the interface of the micro:bit visual
programming.
Drag the block and combine them together to
compile the program you need.

7

8
2．Click Advanced, then click Add Package:

9
Search sloth, you can see the package we provide.
Click on the package to add it to the project. After
the package is added, you’ll see the sloth on the left
side.

10
Program with sloth:
Combine these blocks with on start block:
After the program is complete, click Download and
then confirm to download.

11
Before downloading the program, you need to press
A and B at the same time, then press the Reset at the
back side until there display Paring at the matrix, and
release A and B to command the board to pair
Bluetooth.

12
Click flash on the app to flash the program:
Wait until it is complete:
V. Assemble the robot
Before assembling, it is recommended to check
whether the servo is normal. If there exist any
problems, you are welcomed to contact with us to
change. Do as the previous chapter to download
and burn the test program into micro:bit.

13
Afterwards, insert micro:bit into the long slot of the
driver PCB. Note the direction, if insert in reverse
direction, the micro:bit will not power on.

14
Assemble the battery. Prior to inserting battery, please
ensure the battery type is not carbon-zinc type. When
assembling, note the pin header in case of scratching
your hands.
Take out the servos from package:
Then connect servos with drive board. Insert the
yellow line of servo into the yellow pin and red into red,
brown into brown. Power on to check whether all the
servos can rotate normally.
If the servo is normal, then unplug servos and take out
battery and micro:bit to continue the assembling of
sloth:bit.

15
Do as shown in the following picture to assemble the
acrylic parts:

16
Take out all the acrylic parts and take off the
protective paper carefully.
Note the edge of these parts in case of incised wound.
Because these acrylic plates are cutting, there may
exist sharp edges cut your finger, so be careful.
Now assemble the rocker arms of servos.
Take out two Acrylic Band Rocker arm B,assemble
them with M1.2*4 screw.
Take out two Acrylic C1 and Rocker arm A, assemble
them with M1.2*4 screw.