Binary Bots: DIMM + micro:bit - Review

Table of contents

RoadTest: Binary Bots: DIMM + micro:bit

Author: fyaocn

Creation date:

Evaluation Type: Independent Products

Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True

What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: arduino or raspberry Pi

What were the biggest problems encountered?: The clip wires are good, but for BBC Micro:Bit , there are 5 pads available to attach. That means in most case, one sensor only can be used.

Detailed Review:

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1. Brief

Binary Bots: DIMM + micro:bit is the amazing new smart toy robot everyone wants. This kit comes jam packed with Dimm the robot, some fun sensors AND a brand new BBC micro:bit computer. Best fit for Christmas gift.

 

2. Unboxing

21. Here is the received pack and contents

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  • Flat pack Cardboard Dimm™
  • BBC Micro:bit mini computer
  • Sticker Sheets, medal stickers
  • Instruction Book
  • Cardboard Standup Binary
  • Speaker with attaching Croc Clip Wires
  • Temperature Sensor with attaching Croc Clip Wires
  • Motion Sensor with attaching Croc Clip Wires
  • Light Sensor with attaching Croc Clip Wires
  • Spare Croc Clip to Croc Clip Wires

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3. Build and Coding

3.1 There is one manual for all the procedure to build the DIMM robot and how to code as follows,

Step 1 Check the every thing inside and try to understand them.

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Step 2 Build the body. That is also the most challenge part for kid, and interesting , even for adult.

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Step 3 and Step 4

That part need some skill and led to where it for , coding

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Then Step 5, coding,Take the time to teach from beginning, the online IDE is illustrative.

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Completed.

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3.2 Visit Binarybots and BBC Micro:Bit for more information. Now start first Blink test,

 

Browse https://makecode.microbit.org/#editor  and Press newProject

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The UI appears with on start or forever loop,

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Refer to https://makecode.microbit.org/reference  for more detail on what the meaning of each widget , In this demo, Select 'show LED' in Basic

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Drag the show LED in to the loop you want to,

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That is too easy for LED UI edit, tap your mouse  for digit '8' or anything else you like,

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Refresh the page , the virtual Micro:it reveals

 

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Then you can download the "microbit-Blink_Test.hex", drag the hex file to the plugged Micro:BIT. Done.

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4. Project, Building one remote controller Pad based on wifi feature and Motion Sensor with attaching Croc Clip Wires. But unfortunately, the Light senors and temp. sensors can not be used together with limited Clip wire pad.

That is good and enough for tutorials one by one. More complex project needs different type of connectors.

 

5. Then, come to python part. MicroPython runs well on micro:Bit. Although many IDE is available, this web IDE is definitely first choice. https://python.microbit.org/v/1.1 ,

Refer to https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/  for manuals and instructions. There is more function available on MicroPython , like movement sensors. But, the Bluetooth is missing, since "While the BBC micro:bit has hardware capable of allowing the device to work as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device, it only has 16k of RAM. The BLE stack alone takes up 12k RAM which means there’s not enough memory for MicroPython to support Bluetooth."

More simplified RF plugin RADIO is installed in microPython , while only suitable for remote communication between Micro:Bits. But that is what Micro:BIT designed for.

5.1 Browse https://python.microbit.org/v/1.1

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from microbit import *


while True:
    display.scroll('Happy New Year!')
    display.show(Image.HEART)
    sleep(2000)

Press Download ,button, the microbit.hex file is downloaded automatically. Drag the hex file to  Micro:BIT appeared as one DISK. The text shall scroll with Hear follows.

 

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5.2 Now, use movement sensor. in this case accelerometer.get() shall be applied.

 

from microbit import *

while True:
  reading = accelerometer.get_x()
   if reading > 20:
  display.show("R")
   elif reading < -20:
  display.show("L")
   else:
  display.show("-")

drag the movement.hex,

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The design of remote control can be very easy. Get the accelerometer value in x-y-z direction, set threshold value and send via Bluetooth or Radio. It need at least two MICROBIT to make the design work.

While it is good start in learning PYTHON with fun.

So , enjoy!

Anonymous
  • There are activities available under https://binarybots.tech/activities

     

    Trying to get as many activities up as we can and are also moving over to Hackster.io soon which should help the quality of the activities -

     

    Still if anyone is interested in either doing a project with the kit itself, or a project using external components and the kit - would be great to feature them.

     

    I think its also important to notice the awesome power of the little SBC micro:bit - the functionality of the board is good for the price!

  • To be honest, I should admit I have difficult to think you have roadtested something more than just taking photos to what is inside the package... Can we have the pleasure to see some of the projects available with this box powered on?

     

    Enrico

  • Or maybe using another extra clip? Or using cooking aluminum hand-made wires, just like shown in tons of example projects on microbit.org???

  • Would have been nice to see the actual constructed result. I'm not too sure about not being able to use a few sensors at the same time, as long as you have enough inputs - you could try clipping one wire to the microbit and then clipping the other wire onto the clip itself (pull the insulating rubber shroud back slightly). It's not going to be pretty but should allow multiple sensors to access the same power supply connections (for example) - or create a make-shift bus bar out of an old piece of metal (e.g. a nail).

     

    - Gough