Velleman VMM500 User manual
VMM500
V. 01 –30/11/2018 2 ©Velleman nv
USER MANUAL
1. Introduction
To all residents of the European Union
Important environmental information about this product
This symbol on the device or the package indicates that disposal of the device after its lifecycle could
harm the environment. Do not dispose of the unit (or batteries) as unsorted municipal waste; it
should be taken to a specialized company for recycling. This device should be returned to your
distributor or to a local recycling service. Respect the local environmental rules.
If in doubt, contact your local waste disposal authorities.
Thank you for choosing Velleman®! Please read the manual thoroughly before bringing this device into service.
If the device was damaged in transit, do not install or use it and contact your dealer.
2. Safety Instructions
This device can be used by children aged from 8 years and above, and persons with
reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if
they have been given supervision or instruction concerning the use of the device in a
safe way and understand the hazards involved. Children shall not play with the device.
Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
Indoor use only.
Keep away from rain, moisture, splashing and dripping liquids.
3. General Guidelines
Refer to the Velleman®Service and Quality Warranty on the last pages of this manual.
Familiarise yourself with the functions of the device before actually using it.
All modifications of the device are forbidden for safety reasons. Damage caused by user
modifications to the device is not covered by the warranty.
Only use the device for its intended purpose. Using the device in an unauthorised way
will void the warranty.
Damage caused by disregard of certain guidelines in this manual is not covered by the
warranty and the dealer will not accept responsibility for any ensuing defects or
problems.
Nor Velleman nv nor its dealers can be held responsible for any damage (extraordinary,
incidental or indirect) –of any nature (financial, physical…) arising from the possession,
use or failure of this product.
Due to constant product improvements, the actual product appearance might differ from
the shown images.
Product images are for illustrative purposes only.
Do not switch the device on immediately after it has been exposed to changes in
temperature. Protect the device against damage by leaving it switched off until it has
reached room temperature.
Keep this manual for future reference.
4. What is micro:bit?
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized (52 x 42 mm –2” x 1.75”) computer, 70 times smaller and 18 times faster
than the original BBC micro computers used in schools. The design is appealing to a young public. It features
25 red LEDs used to flash messages and create games.
micro:bit is compatible with different coding languages starting from Block Editor and mobile apps for the
starters, to Python for more advanced users.
micro:bit has an accelerometer so it can detect motion and knows when you are on the move. The built-in
compass knows which direction you are heading in and it uses a low-energy wireless connection to interact with
other devices and the Internet.
Each element is completely programmable via easy-to-use software on a dedicated website (microbit.org)
accessible from a PC, tablet or mobile.
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5. Component List
1
front shield
5
base board
2
back shield
6
2x servo
3
2x wheel
7
1x universal wheel
4
left + right side board
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8
4x rivet
12
screwdriver
9
6x M2.2x5 tapping screw
13
Ring:bit
10
5x M3x5 screw
micro:bit
11
rubber band
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6. Assembly
6.1 Installing the universal wheel
Before installation, please get rid of the film paste on the acrylic components.
Components used
base board
1x universal wheel
Assembly
Fix the universal wheels on the board with the rivets.
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6.2 Installing the servos to each side of the board
Components used
2x servo
4x M2.2x5 tapping screw
left + right side board
Assembly
Fix the servos to each side board with the tapping screws.
Hold the acrylic-frosted side on the outside.
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6.3 Assembling the Ring:bit Car body
Components used
front shield
base board
back shield
Assembly
Fix the front and back shield to the side and base boards.
Hold the acrylic-frosted side on the outside.
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6.4 Installing the Ring:bit Car wheels
Components used
2x wheel
2x M2.2x5 tapping screw
Assembly
Fix the wheels to the servo rod with the tapping screws.
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6.5 Fixing the micro:bit to the Ring:bit
Components used
Ring:bit
micro:bit
5x M3x5 screw
Assembly
Fix the micro:bit to the Ring:bit with the screws.
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6.6 Wire connection
Place 3x LR03 batteries into the holder of the Ring:bit.
Slide and fit the micro:bit assembly into the car.
Batteries are not included.
G = brown = ground (servo)
V = red = power 3 V (servo)
P1/P2 = orange =signal (video)
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Fix with the rivets.
Your car is now completed!
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Once loaded, the Ring:bit Car appears in the code drawer.
7.2 The S-Walk
We make a code to let the Ring:bit Car run in an S-shape.
1. On start, set the pins for the servos.
2. Move forward for 1000 ms.
3. Turn left for 1000 ms.
4. Move forward for 2000 ms.
5. Turn right for 1000 ms.
6. Pause for 1000 ms.
7. Move forward for 1000 ms.
8. Download the programme into micro:bit.
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Drag and drop the block set left wheel at pin P1 right wheel at pin P2 into the block on start in the editor
window. You will find this block in the Ring:bit Car menu of the code drawer. When correct, they snap together.
Now, make a second block as shown in the image.
Drag and drop the block move forward into the block forever. Then, drag and drop the pause block under
the move forward block. You will find the pause block in the basic menu of the code drawer. Set the pause at
1000 ms (= 1 second).
Now, do the same for the other blocks for steps 3 through 7.
When complete, we compile the program to generate a .hex file. Click on the download button and save the
.hex file to the Downloads folder (C:\downloads). This .hex file is ready to be uploaded to the micro:bit.
Plug the micro:bit into the USB port via the micro-USB cable. Then, drag and drop the .hex-file (from the
Downloads folder) onto the micro:bit Removable device to upload the programme.
Now, place the Ring:bit Car onto the ground and switch on the micro:bit via the on-off switch. The Ring:bit Car
runs in a S-shape line.
7.3 Drawing a circle
We make the Ring:bit Car draw a circle. Install a pen or pencil as shown below and install the Ring:bit Car on a
sheet of A4/A3 paper or cardboard.
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1. Set a different speed for the two wheels.
2. Download the programme into micro:bit.
The block left wheel speed (0) right wheel speed (0) can be found when you click on More in the menu of
the code drawer.
When complete, we compile the programme to
generate a .hex file. Click on the download button
and save the .hex file to the Downloads folder
(C:\downloads). This .hex file is ready to be
uploaded to the micro:bit.
Plug the micro:bit into the USB port via the micro-
USB cable. Then, drag and drop the .hex-file (from
the Downloads folder) onto the micro:bit
Removable device to upload the programme.
Now, place the Ring:bit Car on a sheet of A4/A3
paper or cardboard. Switch on the Ring:bit Car and
see what happens!
7.4 Wireless control
Let’s make a remote control for controlling the Ring:bit Car via RF (radio frequency).
For doing that, you will need a second micro:bit in option.
Click button A to turn right.
Click button B to turn left.
Click buttons A + B to move forward.
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Remote control code
1. Set the radio group. Keep the sender and
receiver the same.
2. Press buttons A + B to send number 1.
3. Press button A to send number 2.
4. Press button B to send number 3.
5. If there is no operation, send number 0.
6. Download the programme into micro:bit.
The block radio set group can be found in the menu of the code drawer Radio. Drag and drop this block in the
on start block. Set the number on 7.
Then, we make a forever loop. In this loop, we add a logic function: if then else if.
Then click on the gear icon again, and drag and drop the new created logic function under the forever loop.
Now, place the block button A+B is pressed next to the first if logic. Place block button A is pressed next to
the first else if logic, and block button B is pressed next to the second else if logic. The blocks can be found
in the code drawer menu.
Now, place the radio send number 1 block next to the first then logic and set the number to 1. Drag and
drop a second radio send number 2 block next to the second then logic and set the number to 2. Drag and
drop a third radio send number 3 block next to the third then logic and set the number to 3. Drag and drop a
fourth radio send number 0 block next to the else logic and set the number to 0. The blocks can be found in
the code drawer menu.
Click on the gear icon for more
options. Then, drag and drop the
else if logic in the following
order.
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At least, place a pause block under the else logic and set it to 100 (100 milliseconds).
When complete, we compile the program to generate a .hex file. Click on the download button and save the
.hex file to the Downloads folder (C:\downloads). This .hex file is ready to be uploaded to the micro:bit.
Plug the micro:bit into the USB port via the micro-USB cable. Then, drag and drop the .hex-file (from the
Downloads folder) onto the micro:bit Removable device to upload the programme.
Ring:bit Car code
Drag and drop the blocks in the code drawer as shown below, and download this code into the second
micro:bit.
1. Set the radio group. Keep the sender
and receiver the same.
2. Set the pins for the servos.
3. Save the received numbers into a
variable item.
4. Judge the number received. 1 means
to move forward.
5. 2 means to turn left.
6. 3 means to turn right.
7. Other means to stop.
8. Download the programme into
micro:bit.
When complete, we compile the program to generate a .hex file. Click on the download button and save the
.hex file to the Downloads folder (C:\downloads). This .hex file is ready to be uploaded to the micro:bit.
Plug the second micro:bit into the USB port via the micro-USB cable. Then, drag and drop the .hex-file (from
the Downloads folder) onto the micro:bit Removable device to upload the programme for the remote
control.
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7.5 About Ring:bit
a. Function switch
S: P0 can connect two GVS modules through G-V-SR and G-V-SL.
P0: use the connector for P0 only.
b. Power switch
Use this device with original accessories only. Velleman nv cannot be held responsible in the event of damage or
injury resulting from (incorrect) use of this device. For more info concerning this product and the latest version
of this manual, please visit our website www.velleman.eu. The information in this manual is subject to change
without prior notice.
© COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The copyright to this manual is owned by Velleman nv. All worldwide rights reserved. No part of this manual may
be copied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or otherwise without the prior written consent of the
copyright holder.
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