Grades Grade 5–Grade 12

9 × 45 min(6 hr 45 min total)

9 steps

Computer Information Systems (6612 - 36 weeks)

<h4>Lesson Objectives</h4>

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

<ul>
<li>
Drive the mBot2 with precision.
</li>
</ul>

 

<h4>Overview</h4>

Robots are autonomous machines that replace human effort; they can perceive their environment and perform computer programs to make decisions and take actions. A computer program is a set of instructions and conditions run by a computer to perform a task. You may think you have never seen or used a robot, but that chance is slim. Robots can take many different shapes and have different capabilities depending on their context. For example, robots are present in households, such as the vacuum cleaner robot or a lawn mowing robot; you can also find them in factories assembling products. We have even sent robots to other planets.

 

<h4>Focus</h4>

By the end of the lesson, students will know:

<ul>
<li>What movements can mBot2 do</li>
<li>What different programming blocks you can use to make the mBot2 move</li>
</ul>

 

 

<h4>Pre-lesson Checklist</h4>

<h4>What do you need?</h4>

<ul>
<li>PC or laptop (with USB output) with the mBlock software installed, the web version (also for ChromeBook), or a tablet with the mBlock app installed</li>
<li>The mBot2 with a CyberPi</li>
<li>A USB-C cable or Makeblock Bluetooth dongle</li>
<li>A3 paper</li>
<li>Pens</li>
</ul>

 

 

<h4>Activities</h4>

<h4> </h4>

<h4>Step 1: Warming up </h4>

This step consists of two parts:

<ul>
<li>Robots in everyday life</li>
<li>Getting to know the mBot2</li>
</ul>

 

1. Robots in everyday life

We have robots in many different places. Some people have them in their homes and others work with them every day. Robots can take many different shapes and have different capabilities depending on their context. Can you think of three robots that you have to deal with (regularly) in everyday life?

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/wyh1xjhharbyq6aplutnr9fd8v6u/2.jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 367px;" />

 

There are probably many more robots that have been developed that you have never seen. Search the Internet for three more robots that you can use in everyday life.

 

There is a good chance that you will have to deal with robots later on you professional or personal life. There are robots working in many different companies. Usually, these robots perform tasks that are repetitive, that need to be done with great accuracy, or that are dangerous. In this lesson we will be working mainly on programming a robot to move accurately. Can you think of three professions or businesses where it is very important for a robot to work very accurately?

 

 

2. Getting to know the mBot2

The mBot2 is a programmable robot equipped with different components that allow it to sense, act and communicate with its environment. The mBot2 is intended for students to learn about Computer Science and Technology, including ways that you can use a robot in real life.

The mBot2 can be programmed with the help of mBlock. In mBlock, programming can be as easy as dragging and assembling blocks. As you will see in this lesson, you can, for instance, program the mBot2 to drive through a maze - with your help (not autonomously). mBot2 comes with a pair of special motors, which can record the rotation of the axle and therefore the speed and distance the robot has travelled. They are called encoder motors due to the sensor that is built-in (encoder). This type of motors allows to control specific parameters such as the rotation angle and speed of the motors. You will learn how to make use of these motors in the following steps.

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/hjq38dgy6mqaq05q2a0ueiblw5fj/1%2C+3.jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 407px;" />

 

<h4>Step 2: Hands-on </h4>

This step consists of two parts:

<ul>
<li>
Getting acquainted with the different programming blocks of the mBot2.
</li>
<li>Recreating and testing some programming examples to control the mBot2.</li>
</ul>

 

1. Getting acquainted with the different programming blocks of the mBot2

As you observed previously, robots can be used in many different ways. If you have thought of a purpose for a robot, most likely it means that you know what the robot needs to do to help you, and some of these tasks might need to be executed with certain precision.

When you start programming the mBot2, you will notice that there are many different coding blocks you can use to make the robot move. You will find these blocks in mBlock 5 in the category 'Chassis'. These coding blocks are blue.

 

Below you can see some examples of the coding blocks needed to make the robot move. Some of them look similar, yet they all do something different. For this lesson, we will work in Live mode. Make sure the correct mode is selected in the software. The differences between Live mode and Upload mode will be explained in lesson 2.

 

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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Code block:

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/v4vg1kreddu67r8mykxfcyd9s8av/5%2C+18b.png" style="width: 503px; height: 76px;" />

 

This code block allows you to move the mBot2 forward, backward, left and right at a specific rotational speed of the wheels and for a number of seconds.

The example below shows how you can make the mBot2 move for two seconds at a speed of 50 rotations per minute. This is useful, for example, when the mBot2 needs to push a load forward.

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/b8jrpx4dmxq8sigaat62wg1ep7rn/6.png" style="width: 503px; height: 141px;" />

 

 

 
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Code block:

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/vjd1lau3viadjraf9is1qywb5fl5/7.png" style="width: 321px; height: 76px;" />

 

 

This code block allows you to make your robot stop moving. This can be a useful block during a testing phase. If a program does not work as expected you can use this block to make the robot stop immediately.

For example, you can make the robot stop when the A button of the CyberPi is pressed. To do this, use the programming example below.

 

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/gugqahvsapsitm2q2y4ilz7fbvtb/8.png" style="width: 327px; height: 141px;" />

 

 

 
</td>
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Code block:

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/vw0qcmy0bda9u0f637eqn8cw17ei/9%2C+18c.png" style="width: 361px; height: 76px;" />

 

With this code block you can make the mBot2 rotate by a number of degrees, and you can choose whether the rotation should be to the left or to the right.

When the programming example below is set, the mBot2 can be controlled by using the arrow keys. When pressing the right arrow, the mBot2 will turn 90 degrees to the right, when pressing the left arrow, it will turn 90 degrees to the left.

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/smspvtjpwt4kzqrr53qusx81flig/10.png" style="width: 361px; height: 141px;" />

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/6lhveb4v5hg3fe7g2rs8kae9qqp6/11.png" style="width: 375px; height: 141px;" />

 

 
</td>
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Code block:

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/dx58nem9f8n7we8yinx6kawidz1w/12%2C+18e.png" style="width: 489px; height: 76px;" />

 

 

With this code block you can make the mBot2 move forward or backward a certain distance.

When you use the programming example below, the mBot2 will move 100 cm forward. To start this, move the joystick of the CyberPi upwards.

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/fmhnxhghndx219fwszy9csk3dftw/13.png" style="width: 489px; height: 141px;" />

 

 
</td>
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Code block: 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/pu7iao2wg3azrfruy6tr7bfv87dg/14.png" style="width: 800px; height: 67px;" />

 

 

You can also control the motors of the mBot2 independently, and this is one of the blocks which you can use for that.

In the example below, the mBot2 will move in a curve for 3 seconds before it stops. Notice that the value for one of the motors is negative; this is because the motors are mounted in opposite directions, so in order to move the robot in one direction, you need to make one of the motors rotate the opposite way. What would happen if both wheels rotate at 40 RPM?

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/u66b711vghkpmluir2x89d7v1akv/15.png" style="width: 800px; height: 208px;" />

 

 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Code block:

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/og2okx2a4xynzv9tufyt1kk7cb04/16.png" style="width: 522px; height: 60px;" />

 

 

Because the motors of mBot2 can measure their speed and rotation, you can also read these values. The speed measured is the rotational speed in Rounds per Minute (360° = 1 round; in science, it is more common to use “degree per second” (1 RPM = 6° per second)). In mBlock 5, if you tick the box next to this block, you can read the values on the stage above the panda. The programming example below changes the values of the rotation back to zero, and then orders the mBot2 to move forward for one second. What value do you read on the stage after the robot moved?

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/g7fitcernphpn97dwzu1b5v0s9jw/17.png" style="width: 503px; height: 189px;" />

 

 

 
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>

2. Recreating and testing some programming examples to control the mBot2.

Below you can see some pairs of blocks. Try out each pair side by side. What happens? What are the differences between the code blocks?

 

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</td>
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Option 1
</td>
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Option 2
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1
</td>
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<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/mhmc5nhxb28n69sv7i84mnuvwdci/18a.png" style="width: 379px; height: 76px;" />

 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/e5mlclrgprbae9htbix8fw7dmogz/5%2C+18b.png" style="width: 503px; height: 76px;" />
</td>
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2
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/mix8cj2sx1h9ec7yoxqqusrwobov/9%2C+18c.png" style="width: 361px; height: 76px;" />
</td>
<td valign="middle">
<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/9if1dq63zggnlrxe6j3fmqn59tiq/18d.png" style="width: 449px; height: 76px;" />
</td>
</tr>
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3
</td>
<td valign="middle">
<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/7adoveyiruhqi2uzeuqnibzjdfo9/12%2C+18e.png" style="width: 489px; height: 76px;" />

 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/9zqcn7dht6frlez3re7w87akrwfu/18f.png" style="width: 800px; height: 62px;" />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

 

<h4>Step 3: Trying it out</h4>

It is now time to put your mBot2 to work. Take an A3 paper and draw a maze that your mBot2 has to drive through. Don't make it too complicated and take into account the width of the robot. The mBot2 doesn't have to find the right route by itself. The mBot2 just needs to drive the route that you program. Need inspiration? Below you can see an example.

 

<img src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/upshg4i0wzwtf40ix3dhns9gaeuk/Untitled.jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 376px;" />

 

Use the knowledge you gained in 'Step 2' of this lesson. Of course, you can do plenty of experimenting yourself with the different programming examples in mBlock5.

 

When doing this assignment, it is helpful to use the following step-by-step plan.

 

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Step 1: What do you want to do?

<ul>
<li>What route do you want the mBot2 to drive?</li>
<li>What parts does the maze consist of?</li>
<li>How long are the distances the robot needs to travel?</li>
<li>Does the robot also need to make turns? Which way and by how many degrees?</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 2: What do you need?

<ul>
<li>What do you need in addition to the mBot2?</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 3: What code blocks do you need to make the mBot2 drive?

<ul>
<li>How are you going to make the mBot2 drive?</li>
<li>What code blocks will you use?</li>
<li>Make a brief description on how your program works (pseudocode/natural language, flowchart or UML)</li>
<li>If you need further explanation, you can discuss with your fellow students, the teacher, or do a research on the topic. There is help available for every code block in mBlock as well.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 4: Testing and implementation

<ul>
<li>Is the first version ready? Test it! During the testing round, write down areas of improvement.</li>
<li>Work on the improvement points until your mBot2 drives through your maze without errors.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

Is it possible to get the mBot2 to drive through the maze without a hitch? Then challenge yourself with a more difficult maze. Or have one of your classmates work out a route for you.

 

 

<h4>Step 4: Wrap-up </h4>

Did you succeed in driving the robot through the maze completely without error?

In this lesson you have been introduced to robots in everyday life and to the mBot2. You know how to control the movements of mBot2 and which programming blocks you can use for this.

 

It is now time for a short reflection. Think on your own and discuss with the group:

 

<ul>
<li>What do you think turned out well?</li>
<li>What could be better?</li>
<li>Which parts of the lesson did you find easy and which did you find more difficult?</li>
<li>What would you like more explanation about?</li>
<li>Who could help you with that?</li>
</ul>

<h4>Lesson Objectives</h4>

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

<ul>
<li>
Recognize and use the code blocks for operating the sensors
</li>
<li>Show the data from the sensors on the display of the mBot2</li>
<li>Build your own computer program in mBlock for the mBot2 to control the sensors and show the data on the display</li>
</ul>

 

<h4>Overview</h4>

A robot can be a fun toy, but did you know that you can also use a robot in research? A robot has several sensors (=senses) with which it can perceive its surroundings and also collect data. For example, you can have the mBot2 measure sound and temperature. You can read the data on the screen of the mBot2 and use it for research into sound density or the temperature of the classroom, for example.

 

<h4>Focus</h4>

At the end of this lesson, students will know:

<ul>
<li>
What sensors the mBot2 has
</li>
<li>
How the sensors of the mBot2 work
</li>
<li>
What the difference is between live mode and upload mode
</li>
<li>
How to show the data from the sensors on the display of the CyberPi
</li>
</ul>

 

<h4>Pre-lesson Checklist</h4>

What do you need?

<ul>
<li>
PC or laptop (with USB output) with the mBlock software installed, the web version (also for ChromeBook), or a tablet with the mBlock app installed
</li>
<li>
The mBot2 with a CyberPi
</li>
<li>
A USB-C cable or Makeblock Bluetooth dongle
</li>
</ul>

 
 

<h4>Activities</h4>

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<h4>Step 1: Warming up</h4>

This step consists of two parts:

<ul>
<li>Sensors and data in everyday life</li>
<li>What is the CyberPi?</li>
</ul>

 

1. Sensors and data in everyday life

Sensors that collect data are found in many different places in everyday life. Much more than you probably think at first. For example, with the help of sensors the exterior lighting of your house is turned on automatically when it gets dark outside. Or the heating is automatically turned off when it gets too hot in the classroom. The amount of outdoor light and the heat in the classroom is all recorded using sensors. Can you and your classmates think of any other examples?

 

2. What is the CyberPi? 

To get the mBot2 to work, you need to write a computer program. You do that in the code editor mBlock. The computer program you write consists of a series of commands that the mBot2 has to execute.

 

Mounted on the mBot2 there is a CyberPi. A CyberPi is a small, programmable microcomputer. You give the CyberPi commands using the code blocks in mBlock. The CyberPi passes these commands back to the mBot2. You can remove the CyberPi from the mBot2.

 

 

 

The CyberPi has many different functions, such as a microphone, a speaker and a joystick. There are also many sensors on the CyberPi. Take a look at the image below.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/covcphkki06woxj7u6b1dp7zuv5t/3.png" style="width: 600px; height: 606px;" />

 

 
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</td>
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<h4>Step 2: Hands-on</h4>

This step consists of four parts:

<ul>
<li>Getting acquainted with the sensors of the mBot2.</li>
<li>Extend and test some programming examples of the sensors.</li>
<li>Display the data from the sensors.</li>
<li>Difference between live mode and download mode.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

1. Getting to know the mBot2 sensors 

Every robot works with sensors. Sensors can be compared with your senses (=taste, touch, smell, hearing, sight). Through these sensors the mBot2 'sees' its environment. There are different types of sensors that can make the mBot2 'see', such as:

<ul>
<li>Light sensor</li>
<li>Sound sensor</li>
<li>Gyroscope accelerometer</li>
<li>Quad RGB sensor</li>
<li>Timer</li>
</ul>

 

Below lists the sensors of the mBot2. Each sensor is accompanied by a brief explanation and programming example.

 

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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Sensor type
</td>
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What does this sensor do?
</td>
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Light sensor-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Light has a certain strength (=light energy). The light sensor is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy.

A light sensor is often used, for example, to:

<ul>
<li>Automatically adjust the brightness of the display of smartphones to the environment;</li>
<li>To control the lighting in homes or to automatically switch on headlights of vehicles</li>
</ul>

In the programming example below, the light energy of the environment is shown on the display of the CyberPi. You can extend the programming example so that the mBot2 stops driving, for example, when the light energy of the environment is below a certain value, as when it gets dark.
</td>
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</td>
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Programming example:
</td>
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</td>
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<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/g5ylnwcecgzrrj95qs8ohd6dubcz/4.png" style="width: 600px; height: 106px;" />

 

 
</td>
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Sensor type
</td>
<td valign="middle">
What does this sensor do?
</td>
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<tr>
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Sound sensor-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Sound is a mechanical vibration that propagates in waves. In the air these are pressure and density fluctuations. If the vibration is in the audible range (between 16 and 20000 vibrations per second) and sufficiently intense, we can hear it as tones or sounds.

The power of the sound is called the sound intensity.

The sensor in the microphone converts the sound into an electrical signal that can be evaluated in terms of pitch and power.

A sound sensor is often used for the following things:

<ul>
<li>Telephone calls, sound recording</li>
<li>Voice-controlled assistance systems, such as on a cell phone or in a Smart Home</li>
</ul>

In the programming example below, the sound intensity of the environment is shown on the display of the CyberPi. You can extend the programming example so that the mBot2 constantly measures the sound intensity during a tour of the classroom and shows it on the display.
</td>
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</td>
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Programming example:
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</td>
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<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/bqirchlmh7fxy5wdjrvgjkkjzc3k/5.png" style="width: 600px; height: 125px;" />

 

 
</td>
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<td valign="middle">
Sensor type
</td>
<td valign="middle">
What does this sensor do?
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Gyroscope & accelerometer-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
A gyroscope measures tipping movements, more precisely the speed of turning/tipping movements. An accelerometer measures the change in velocity. These sensors can be implemented as micromechanical components on an electronic component. Both sensors provide different information about the position in space.

A gyroscope is often used to, for example:

<ul>
<li>Keep ships stable on the high seas or</li>
<li>Balance a Segway or a "hoverboard" so that you don't fall over too quickly with it</li>
</ul>

Acceleration sensors, in turn, indicate whether a smartphone is facing up or down, or whether a vehicle is having an accident (violent, very rapid change in speed) - in order to then trigger the airbags.

In the programming example below, the tilt movement of the mBot2 is shown on the display. You can extend the programming example so that the mBot2 constantly measures and records the tipping motion on the display during a lap around the classroom.

You will learn more about this sensor and its capabilities in Lesson 6.
</td>
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</td>
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Programming example:
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</td>
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<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/f2vfy812bn8a25cobxrzelpuifdr/6.png" style="width: 552px; height: 421px;" />

 

 
</td>
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<td valign="middle">
Sensor type
</td>
<td valign="middle">
What does this sensor do?
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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Ultrasonic sensor-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Sound, which is vibration in the form of variations in density and pressure, propagates in air at a constant speed in the form of waves (speed of sound in air approx. 334 m/s). The higher the vibration, the higher the sound appears - up to a limit above which people can no longer perceive this sound. These very high vibrations are called ultrasound. Since the speed of sound in the air is known, sound can be used to determine distances to objects; to do this, one emits a sound and measures the time until this sound is reflected back from the object. This reflected sound wave is also called an echo. Ultrasounds usually are used for this purpose.

For example, an ultrasonic sensor is often used:

<ul>
<li>for an imaging procedure, e.g. in pregnancy (each pixel is a distance measurement) or</li>
<li>in the control of robots to prevent collisions</li>
</ul>

In the programming example below, the ultrasonic sensor is used to prevent the mBot2 from driving into an obstacle. When the mBot2 is less than 10 cm from an obstacle, the robot makes a 90° turn to the left and then simply continues driving. You can extend this programming example so that the mBot2 moves randomly through a classroom without bumping into tables and chairs.

You'll learn more about this sensor and its capabilities in Lesson 4.
</td>
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</td>
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Programming example:
</td>
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</td>
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<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/5uhlfz9nu03gd4rqhxby2qa7errv/7.png" style="width: 600px; height: 290px;" />

 

 
</td>
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<td valign="middle">
Sensor type
</td>
<td valign="middle">
What does this sensor do?
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Quad RGB Sensor-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
The Quad RGB sensor consists of four individual light and color sensors. They measure the intensity of light entering the sensor from red, green and blue areas of the light spectrum. This allows the sensor to detect colors of objects directly in front of it, like markings on the ground, and also allows the robot to follow a black line for orientation.

A Quad RGB sensor is widely used in applications such as:

<ul>
<li>show a warehouse robot a way through the warehouse (also different colors for different paths), or</li>
<li>ensure that exactly the right color is used during painting</li>
</ul>

In the programming example below, the mBot2 drives forward when the robot sees the color white. You can extend the programming example so that the mBot2 drives a route through the classroom, stops, or turns based on different colors.

You will learn more about this sensor and its capabilities in Lesson 5.
</td>
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</td>
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Programming example:
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</td>
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<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/if3zkao8j74pvzxufwr9zjosrnez/8.png" style="width: 600px; height: 283px;" />

 

 
</td>
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<td valign="middle">
Sensor type
</td>
<td valign="middle">
What does this sensor do?
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Timer-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
The timer is a kind of stopwatch that tells the time in seconds since the CyberPi was turned on or reset. This counter can also be set to zero with a command to make time measurements easier.

For example, you can use the timer to have a race of several mBots against each other and measure exactly how fast they are at the finish line.

The following programming example shows you how to set and use the timer. Pressing the 'A' key resets the timer to zero and then shows it permanently in the display. You can end the display and the program as a whole by pressing 'B'. Try to extend the programming example so that the timer starts counting when the mBot2 starts moving.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

Programming example:
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/soofrkxys3k2dxth4excj3ja5dye/9a.png" style="width: 600px; height: 230px;" />

 

 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

2. Testing and extending programming examples for the sensors

In the table above, there is a programming example for each sensor. You are going to recreate these programming examples in mBlock and test them. Think of an extension for two of the programming examples. The table above already mentions an extension suggestion for every programming example. Maybe you know a much nicer extension!

 

While writing a computer program, you can immediately test what you are creating. You do this by using live mode. You select live mode by moving the Mode switch to the right. Take a look at the image below.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/e8c7kx4zuw458ker9wuu5vus3ink/10.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 227px;" />

 

3. Displaying the data from the sensors

In testing the programming examples, you have seen that each sensor shows something on the CyberPi's display. For example, the light sensor records the light intensity of the environment. The timer registers the time, and the gyro sensor keeps track of which way the mBot2 tilts. Everything that a sensor registers is called data.

You can show the data from a sensor on the display of the mBot2. In the programming examples you have seen that you can display the data with, for instance, a number or a text.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/ung9mxh9uas0rpq4dylntekb4loj/11.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 667px;" />

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/hey810pnrxvdy9j17wfypy3a548e/12.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 667px;" />

 

You can display the data from the sensors in different ways on the display of the mBot2. You can use different code blocks for this. These code blocks can be found in mBlock under the category 'Display'.

In the diagram below you see three examples of how to show data on the CyberPi's display. Reproduce the programming examples and test in live mode. See what happens on the display of the mBot2.

 

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Programming example
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

 

 

Line diagram-

 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

 

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/ro16amgjv0bq1nk6h8oxyfjbf8ib/13.png" style="width: 408px; height: 213px;" />

 

 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line diagram (color)-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/pdkz15go75wx9tad6xhrg10j6bdh/14.png" style="width: 350px; height: 671px;" />

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

 

 

 

 

 

Table-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/95dnjg9lbqiks1pcydeewk2u82lb/15.png" style="width: 500px; height: 407px;" />

 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

4. Live mode and upload mode

You need to transfer the computer program you build in mBlock to the CyberPi.

The CyberPi puts the mBot2 to work according to the commands you wrote in mBlock. While writing a computer program, you can directly test what you are making. You do that by using live mode. You select live mode by moving the Mode switch to the right. You must not disconnect the CyberPi from the computer while testing in live mode!

The CyberPi also has an upload mode. In upload mode, the computer program is transferred to the CyberPi. The program is stored on the CyberPi until you replace it with another program. You can simply unplug the CyberPi.

In the diagram below you can see the differences between live mode and upload mode.

 

 

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Mode

 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Differences explained

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Live mode-

 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
<ul>
<li>Programs run on your computer (=your PC or laptop). They will not be stored on the CyberPi.</li>
<li>The CyberPi must remain connected to your computer.</li>
<li>The mBlock code editor must always be open on your computer.</li>
<li>This mode is used for programming in the stage.</li>
</ul>

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Upload mode-
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

<ul>
<li>Programs run on the CyberPi instead of on your computer and are also stored on the CyberPi.</li>
<li>The CyberPi does not need to be connected to your computer.</li>
<li>The mBlock code editor does not need to be open on your computer.</li>
<li>A program that you upload to the CyberPi is saved on the CyberPi until you replace it with another program.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
<h4>Step 3: Trying it out</h4>

 

You have already learned a lot about the sensors of the mBot2 and how to show the data from the sensors on the display of the CyberPi. You are now going to collect data yourself using the sensors of the mBot2 and show it on the CyberPi's display. You will do this while driving the mBot2 around the classroom or school. What data you collect and how you show it on the CyberPi's display is up to you.

Use the knowledge you gained in 'Step 2' of this lesson. Of course, you can do plenty of experimenting yourself with the different programming possibilities in mBlock.

When thinking about this assignment, it is helpful to use the following step-by-step plan. Do you have an idea of what you want to make? If so, first discuss with your teacher whether this is feasible.

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Step 1: What do you want to do?

<ul>
<li>What route do you want the mBot2 to drive?</li>
<li>What data do you want the mBot2 to collect?</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 2: What do you need?

<ul>
<li>What do you need in addition to the mBot2?</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 3: What code blocks do you need to make the mBot2 drive?

<ul>
<li>How will you make the mBot2 drive?</li>
<li>What data will you have the mBot2 collect?</li>
<li>What code blocks will you use?</li>
<li>Make a brief description on how your program works (pseudocode/natural language, flowchart or UML)</li>
<li>If you need further explanation, you can discuss with your fellow students, the teacher, or do a research on the topic. There is help available for every coding block in mBlock as well.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 4: In what way do you want to show the data from the sensors on the display?

<ul>
<li>How do you want to show the data on the display?</li>
<li>What code blocks will you use?</li>
<li>Make a brief description on how your program works (pseudocode/natural language, flowchart or UML)</li>
<li>If you need further explanation, you can discuss with your fellow students, the teacher, or do a research on the topic. There is help available for every coding block in mBlock as well.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 5: Testing and implementation

<ul>
<li>Is the first version ready? Test it! During the testing round, write down areas of improvement.</li>
<li>Work on the improvement points until the mBot2 does exactly what you had in mind.</li>
<li>Successful? Film the end result and ask your teacher if you can post it on social media with the hashtag #mbot2.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
<h4>Step 4: Wrap-up</h4>

 

What data did your mBot2 collect? Did it go well? Did you get to see all the data on the display of the CyberPi?

In this lesson, you learned about the different sensors on the mBot2 and where you might encounter them in everyday life. You know how to program these sensors and how to show the data on the display. You also learned about the difference between the upload and live modes of mBlock.

 

It is now time for a brief reflection. Think on your own and discuss with the group:

 

<ul>
<li>What do you think worked out well?</li>
<li>What could be better?</li>
<li>Which parts of the lesson did you find easy and which did you find more difficult?</li>
<li>What would you like more explanation about?</li>
<li>Who could help you with that?</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h4>Lesson Objectives</h4>

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

<ul>
<li>Recognize and use the code blocks for controlling the speaker and microphone</li>
<li>Build your own computer program in mBlock to make the mBot2 record sound and play it back</li>
<li>Run multiple programming tasks side by side in a computer program</li>
</ul>

 

 

<h4>Overview</h4>

Robots can often talk. Take, for example, the vacuum cleaner robot that uses a voice message to let you know its battery is low. Or a toy robot that sings a song. The mBot2 can also produce and record sound. It has a microphone and speaker for that. With the microphone, the mBot2 records sound and the speaker plays back the recorded sound.

 

 

<h4>Focus</h4>

By the end of this lesson, students will know:

<ul>
<li>How to make use of the speaker in coding and robotics</li>
<li>How to record and play back sound</li>
<li>How to run multiple programming tasks side by side</li>
</ul>

 

 

<h4>Pre-lesson Checklist</h4>

What do you need?

<ul>
<li>PC or laptop (with USB output) with the mBlock software installed, the web version (also for ChromeBook), or a tablet with the mBlock app installed</li>
<li>The mBot2 with a CyberPi</li>
<li>A USB-C cable or Makeblock Bluetooth dongle</li>
</ul>

 

<h4> </h4>

<h4>Activities:</h4>

 

<h4>Step 1: Warming up </h4>

This step consists of two parts:

<ul>
<li>Speakers in everyday life</li>
<li>How does the speaker work?</li>
</ul>

 

1. Speakers in everyday life

Speakers are used all around you in everyday life. You will find large speaker systems in theaters, concert halls and event halls. These speakers are used to amplify the sound for a large group of people. Smaller speaker systems are found in appliances, such as televisions, musical instruments, and smartphones. Can you and the classmates in your group think of more applications?

 

2. How does the speaker work?

The purpose of a speaker is to produce sound. Speakers convert electromagnetic waves into sound waves for this purpose. Next to its main purpose, a speaker can actually convert sound waves back to electromagnetic waves, too. Microphones are devices that use the same principle, but are optimized for the purpose of converting sound waves to electrical signals.

 

On the mBot2 there is a speaker and a microphone. The microphone is on the top left of the CyberPi. The speaker is on the front of the CyberPi. With the microphone you can record sounds. These sounds can be played back later with the speaker.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/qdnwdyc7ffclh1nvl7hu7ur2axmn/1.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 435px;" />

 

By using the microphone and the speaker in combination with the other sensors of the mBot2 you can, for example, have your own recorded text played back at a specific time. For example, think of a public bus which tells you which stop you are almost at. There are countless other possibilities for using the microphone and speaker. Together with the classmates from your group, think of more examples where the mBot2 can make good use of the speaker and microphone.

 

 

<h4>Step 2: Hands-on</h4>

This step consists of two parts:

<ul>
<li>Getting acquainted with the different code blocks for the speaker and microphone.</li>
<li>Reproduce, test and extend some programming examples of the speaker.</li>
</ul>

 

1. Getting to know the different code blocks for the speaker and microphone

In mBlock 5, there are several code blocks that you can use to program the speaker and the microphone. You will find these code blocks in the 'Audio' category of the block area in mBlock. These code blocks are purple.

 

In the table below you will see some of these code blocks to program the speaker and microphone.

 

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Code block:

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/vy25pi8lw0wkzty20nzkfpyf2x52/3a.png" style="width: 204px; height: 76px;" /><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/064tcipibe7iwy6eueyt16abup1a/3b.png" style="width: 203px; height: 76px;" /><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/d60nbbpdexc84ga93cucfuzekh3s/3c.png" style="width: 201px; height: 76px;" />  

 

When recording and playing back a sound, you actually always use three code blocks. With the code block 'Start recording' you let CyberPi start recording a sound. The electrical signal from the microphone is stored in the memory of the CyberPi, and the recording automatically stops after 10 seconds. You can also indicate when the recording should stop. This is done with the code block 'Stop recording'. The recorded sound is temporarily stored in the memory of the CyberPi. Do you switch off the mBot2? Then the recorded sound is lost. Playback of the recorded sound is controlled by the 'Play recording' code block.

In the programming example below, when you press button A, CyberPi starts recording. After 3 seconds the recording stops. When you press button B, you hear what was recorded. By using two event blocks, two programming tasks can run independently from each other without the need for a main loop.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/x40w1sa012qh68xmwh7r5duj4ilc/4a.png" style="width: 327px; height: 237px;" /><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/id2ahd7sw6ekvkglaucsmodidpg7/4b.png" style="width: 326px; height: 141px;" />

 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Code block:

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/uey0ti9pqnv414dcp5g3dm9n38h4/5.png" style="width: 298px; height: 76px;" />

 

You just learned how to playback a recorded sound. With this code block you make sure that the sound recorded by the microphone is played all the way through.  This means that the execution of further blocks is blocked until this one is finished. After the sound is finished you can make the mBot2 do something else. For example, make a certain sound so you know the recording is finished.

 

In the programming example to the right, the CyberPi starts recording when you press button A. If you press button B, the recording stops. If you move the joystick down, you will hear what the mBot2 recorded. After the entire recording ends, you will hear a "prompt" sound. The code blocks in this example are placed in a so-called loop structure. This ensures that the input from the buttons and joystick are continuously monitored.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/cl6ljwxcw9hqjcf8zpkuconmnkur/6.png" style="width: 427px; height: 597px;" />

 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

2. Reproducing, testing and extending some programming examples from the speaker

In the table above, each code block of the speaker is accompanied by a programming example. You are going to recreate these programming examples in mBlock and test them. Think of one extension to a programming example. Test the programming examples and your own extension in live mode.

 

 

 

<h4>Step 3: Trying it out</h4>

You've already learned a lot about the speaker and microphone on the mBot2. You are now going to work on them by yourself. You are also going to use the ultrasonic sensor. This sensor can sense an object from a distance. You will learn more about the ultrasonic sensor in lesson 4.

In this assignment you are going to make the mBot2 drive a random lap around the classroom. Random means that you don't predetermine a route. If the mBot2 comes near an obstacle, such as a chair, table or backpack, you will hear a sound and the mBot2 will turn around. You will record the sound yourself with the microphone. Such a sound could be, for example, a loud beeping sound or the sound of a car slowing down. You can also record a text or have the mBot2 play a song.

It's quite difficult to come up with a computer program for this all by yourself! Fortunately, you can get help. On the next page you see two examples of a computer program. You can expand and adapt these computer programs by yourself. Be creative!

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

 

Example 1:

The mBot2 makes a sound when it approaches an obstacle and turns around. You recorded the sound yourself earlier.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/s2nhgp7rb9tdppphhj06gb10ogsp/7a.png" style="width: 327px; height: 237px;" /><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/w2jowvdhpy3b6tc525e8ir4nzsm7/7b.png" style="width: 500px; height: 297px;" />

 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Example 2:

The mBot2 drives around and plays a sound you recorded when the ambient light is low. When the mBot2 comes near an obstacle, it lets out a warning sound and turns around.

 

<img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/piyr42b3qdcviw90x9g2f2x4ri7h/8a.png" style="width: 327px; height: 237px;" /><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/gwcb20y40d74079qa0m23q9s1h6y/8b.png" style="width: 500px; height: 391px;" />

 

 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

Use the knowledge you gained in 'Step 2' of this lesson. Of course, you can do plenty of experimenting yourself with the different programming possibilities in mBlock.

When thinking about this assignment, it is helpful to use the following step-by-step plan. Do you have an idea of what you want to make? If so, first discuss with your teacher whether this is feasible.

 

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Step 1: What do you want to do?

<ul>
<li>When should the mBot2 turn around?</li>
<li>What sound should the mBot2 make when it gets near an obstacle?</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 2: What do you need?

<ul>
<li>What do you need in addition to the mBot2?</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 3: What code blocks do you need to make the mBot2 drive?

<ul>
<li>How are you going to make the mBot2 drive?</li>
<li>What code blocks will you use?</li>
<li>Make a brief description on how your program works (pseudocode/natural language, flowchart or UML)</li>
<li>If you need further explanation, you can discuss with your fellow students, the teacher, or do a research on the topic. There is help available for every coding block in mBlock as well.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 

Step 4: In what way do you want to show the data from the sensors on the display?

<ul>
<li>What sound should the mBot2 make?</li>
<li>What code blocks will you use?</li>
<li>Make a brief description on how your program works (pseudocode/natural language, flowchart or UML)</li>
<li>If you need further explanation, you can discuss with your fellow students, the teacher, or do a research on the topic. There is help available for every coding block in mBlock as well.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 

 

 

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Step 5: Testing and implementation

<ul>
<li>Is the first version ready? Test it! During the testing round, write down areas of improvement.</li>
<li>Work on the improvement points until your mBot2 does exactly what you had in mind.</li>
<li>Successful? Film the end result and ask your teacher if you can post it on social media with the hashtag #mBot2</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td valign="middle"> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

 

 

 

<h4>Step 4: Wrap up</h4>

How did this assignment go? Did the mBot2 immediately do what you had in mind?

In this lesson, you learned how speakers work and where you encounter them in everyday life. You know how to program the CyberPi and the mBot to record via the built-in microphone and play back through the speakers. You also know how to run multiple programs independently from each other.

 

It is now time for a brief reflection. Think on your own and discuss with the group:

 

<ul>
<li>What do you think turned out well?</li>
<li>What could be better?</li>
<li>Which parts of the lesson did you find easy and which did you find more difficult?</li>
<li>What would you like more explanation about?</li>
<li>Who could help you with that?</li>
</ul>

mBot2 Basics

Standards Alignment

8 Standards Aligned

Lesson Steps

Let's Move

Sensing = Data

Listen to mBot2

Unlock 6 more steps

Seeing With Sound

Sightseeing

Careful Drive

A Network Game

mBot2 at Your Service

mBot2 in the Wild

Ready to bring this lesson to your classroom?