Major site overhaul: resources hub, content migration, new blog posts, forms
- Redesign /resources as sectioned hub with category pages - Migrate 645 Squarespace CDN images to local /images/content/ - Create 9 new news/blog posts with event photos - Fix blog post slugs (rename gibberish filenames) - Rename Design Blog to Design Blogs across site - Remove education page, replace with Platform in nav - Redesign rover repair request form with dynamic rover entries - Add school search combobox to contact, store, and repair forms - Extract shared KNOWN_SCHOOLS data - Make /rover-expansion-3d-printing dynamically pull from MDX - Add related resources sections to product pages - Fix homepage broken /quote links to /store - Store page: sample kit cards, inline quote builder, mailing list opt-in
This commit is contained in:
Tim Hadwen
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ excerpt: "Crash course on basic rover function, how and what to program and star
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featuredImage: "/images/resources/getting-started-with-the-micromelon-rover.png"
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---
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### The Micromelon Rover
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@@ -15,23 +15,19 @@ The Rover is a versatile tool for learning robotics and programming designed by
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### Rover Basics
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**Turning The Rover On & Off**
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The **ON/OFF Switch** is located at the back of the Rover. Use this switch to turn the Rover on. Once turned on, the Rover will beep, the LEDs will light up, and the **Rover Screen** will show a 4-digit number (the Bot ID) and the battery indicator.
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**Turning The Rover On & Off** The ** ON/OFF Switch** is located at the back of the Rover. Use this switch to turn the Rover on. Once turned on, the Rover will beep, the LEDs will light up, and the ** Rover Screen** will show a 4-digit number (the Bot ID) and the battery indicator.
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On a full charge each Rover should last around 5 hours of use. It is a good idea to charge your Rover before first use.
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**Charging The Rover**
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The Rover’s **Charging Port** is located next to the **ON/OFF Switch**. The Rover charging port is USB-C.
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**Charging The Rover** The Rover’s ** Charging Port** is located next to the ** ON/OFF Switch**. The Rover charging port is USB-C.
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**Charging Class Sets**
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School sets come with a 10 Rover charging dock.
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Connect the Rovers to the charging dock with the USB-C cables. Plug the charging dock into any wall outlet. Any Rovers attached to the dock will begin charging.
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@@ -39,7 +35,7 @@ Connect the Rovers to the charging dock with the USB-C cables. Plug the charging
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Inside Rover box there will be an included USB-C charging cable. Plug the cable into the charging port and connect it to the included power adapter. Other USB power adapters and computers will also work if they can provide sufficient power.
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**Charging Tips**
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@@ -49,7 +45,7 @@ Inside Rover box there will be an included USB-C charging cable. Plug the cable
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### How To Program The Rover
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Each Rover has 5 different types of sensors, 2 motorised tracks, 8 RGB LEDs, a buzzer, 2 servo motor connectors and a UART/I2C expansion header. All of these are programmable with either the Micromelon Code Editor or the Micromelon Python Module.
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@@ -77,7 +73,7 @@ Press the ‘Create Account’ button and fill in the details for your account.
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Now that your Code Editor is set up, you can connect to a Rover and begin coding. Make sure your device’s Bluetooth is turned on as Bluetooth is required to connect to a Rover. Once your Bluetooth is on, turn the Rover on. The 4 digit number on the Rover screen is the Bot ID. Enter the Bot ID into the Bot ID box in the code editor and press GO!
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Only one Code Editor can be connected to a Rover at a time. To disconnect a Rover from the Code Editor press the Unlink button or turn the Rover off.
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@@ -85,33 +81,29 @@ Only one Code Editor can be connected to a Rover at a time. To disconnect a Rove
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You’ve now connected the Rover and it’s time to start programming the Rover with the Code Editor.
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Block programming is done in the **Block Editor**. Drag in blocks from the **Block Catalogue**. Alternatively, you can write Python code in the **Text Editor**. You can find information on the Micromelon specific Python functions that are available to you in the **Function Dictionary**. Once you’ve written some code you can run it by pressing the **Run Code **button. The code will be executed by the Rover connected to your Code Editor. Any errors or print messages will appear in **The Console**.
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Block programming is done in the **Block Editor**. Drag in blocks from the** Block Catalogue**. Alternatively, you can write Python code in the** Text Editor**. You can find information on the Micromelon specific Python functions that are available to you in the** Function Dictionary**. Once you’ve written some code you can run it by pressing the** Run Code ** button. The code will be executed by the Rover connected to your Code Editor. Any errors or print messages will appear in** The Console**.
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### Writing Your First Line Of Code
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Now that we have the basic layout of the Code Editor and a connected Rover, we can begin coding. Let’s write a program to move the Rover forwards to become familiar writing and running code.
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**Editing Blocks**
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In the Code Editor, look over to the **Block Catalogue** and find the **Movement** category. Click this to expand the category. Find the **Move Forward 10 cm **block. Click and drag this code block over and place it into the Block Editor area. We want to attach this block to the orange Start Block.
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**Editing Blocks** In the Code Editor, look over to the ** Block Catalogue** and find the ** Movement** category. Click this to expand the category. Find the ** Move Forward 10 cm** block. Click and drag this code block over and place it into the Block Editor area. We want to attach this block to the orange Start Block.
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Note: Any blocks we want to run need to be attached to the orange Start block. Blocks not attached will not be run by the Rover.
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We’ve written our first line of code using blocks, now let’s edit some Python.
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**Editing The Python**
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The Python in the Text Editor should have updated. Look to the Text Editor on the right, and you should see the code **Motors.moveDistance(10)** on the first line. This is the same piece of code we just created with our blocks, but now it is represented in Python. All of the changes we make to the blocks will translate to Python and vice versa. Let’s edit the Python now.
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**Editing The Python** The Python in the Text Editor should have updated. Look to the Text Editor on the right, and you should see the code ** Motors.moveDistance(10)** on the first line. This is the same piece of code we just created with our blocks, but now it is represented in Python. All of the changes we make to the blocks will translate to Python and vice versa. Let’s edit the Python now.
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The number 10 in the brackets is the number of centimetres the Rover will move. In Python we call this an argument. Let’s change this 10 to a 20. Our code will now make the Rover move 20cm instead of 10cm. Once we change this the Blocks will update to reflect the change.
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**Running Our Code**
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@@ -123,7 +115,7 @@ If you need to stop a running Rover, you can click the ‘Stop’ button that re
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As mentioned before, the Rover has 5 different types of sensors, 2 motorised tracks, 4 RGB LEDs, a buzzer, 2 servo motor connectors and a UART/I2C expansion header. All of these are programmable from the Code Editor. Let’s look at what each of these do.
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**Actuators**
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@@ -131,21 +123,21 @@ As mentioned before, the Rover has 5 different types of sensors, 2 motorised tra
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The motorised tracks allow you to move the Rover around. You have control over both tracks and can control direction and speed of motors.
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Blocks to program the motorised tracks are found in the **Movement **and** Advanced Movement** categories of the **Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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Blocks to program the motorised tracks are found in the **Movement** and ** Advanced Movement** categories of the ** Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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**Buzzer & LEDs**
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Program the buzzer to play sounds and the LEDs to illuminate colours. These can be used to signal changes in robot behaviour or coordinated with motor movements to create music or dance.
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Blocks to control the LEDs and Buzzer are found in the **Lights/Sounds** category of the **Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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Blocks to control the LEDs and Buzzer are found in the **Lights/Sounds** category of the ** Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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**Sensors**
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The sensors will help you program your Rover to respond to its environment, including objects, surfaces, and the orientation of the Rover.
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Blocks to control all of the sensors discussed here can be found in the **Sensors **category of the **Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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Blocks to control all of the sensors discussed here can be found in the **Sensors** category of the ** Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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**Ultrasonic & IR Distance Sensors**
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@@ -163,330 +155,18 @@ The accelerometer and gyroscope allow you to determine the Rover’s current ori
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When planning the code you are going to write for the Rover, it is useful to be able to see what the Rover sees. When you are connected to the Rover in the Code Editor, you can click the Rover icon to the left of the Bot ID to open a live view of what every sensor is currently reading. This can be useful for calibrating your sensors and debugging your code. The sensor values can also be cycled through on the Rover screen using the buttons on the Rover.
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**Expansion**
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The Rover has built in capabilities for attaching your own external attachments and electronics.
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Blocks to interface with the Servo and UART/I2C connectors are found in the **Expansion **category of the **Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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Blocks to interface with the Servo and UART/I2C connectors are found in the **Expansion** category of the ** Block Catalogue** in the Code Editor.
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### Ready To Begin Programming? Here Are Some Activities
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**Beginners**
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If this is your first time using Micromelon or you are still becoming familiar with how to control the Rover, here are some good starter activities.
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Resources
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[
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](/resources/activity-making-music-beginner)
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[Activity: Making Music (Beginner)](/resources/activity-making-music-beginner)
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[Read More →](/resources/activity-making-music-beginner)
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[
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](/resources/cargo-bot)
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[Cargo Bot](/resources/cargo-bot)
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Don’t drop the cargo!
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[Read More →](/resources/cargo-bot)
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[
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](/resources/spike-drop)
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[Activity: Spike Drop](/resources/spike-drop)
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Simulator activity for learning ultrasonic, colour sensor and iteration.
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[Read More →](/resources/spike-drop)
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[
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](/resources/maze)
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[Activity: Maze](/resources/maze)
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Learn branching, iteration, algorithm design, and how to use the Rover’s motors, ultrasonic, colour, and IR sensors.
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[Read More →](/resources/maze)
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[
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](/resources/conversation-bot)
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[Activity: Conversation Bot](/resources/conversation-bot)
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Learn iteration, branching, and how to use the buzzer and LEDs.
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[Read More →](/resources/conversation-bot)
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**Intermediate**
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If you are starting to get the hang of things, try these intermediate activities.
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Resources
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[
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](/resources/activity-servo-gauge)
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[Activity: Servo Gauge](/resources/activity-servo-gauge)
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[Read More →](/resources/activity-servo-gauge)
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[
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](/resources/activity-making-music-intermediate)
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[Activity: Making Music (Intermediate)](/resources/activity-making-music-intermediate)
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[Read More →](/resources/activity-making-music-intermediate)
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[
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](/resources/binary-bot)
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[Activity: Binary Bot](/resources/binary-bot)
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Complete a simple exercise using only binary numbers!
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[Read More →](/resources/binary-bot)
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[
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](/resources/rover-van-gogh)
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[Activity: Rover Van Gogh](/resources/rover-van-gogh)
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Get your art on with the pen attachment!
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[Read More →](/resources/rover-van-gogh)
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[
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](/resources/line-following)
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[Activity: Line Following](/resources/line-following)
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Learn the colour sensor and simple algorithm design while following the line.
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[Read More →](/resources/line-following)
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[
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](/resources/windup-rover)
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[Activity: Wind-up Rover](/resources/windup-rover)
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Learn iteration, variables, maths, and how to use the Rover’s motors and accelerometer.
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[Read More →](/resources/windup-rover)
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**Advanced**
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Once you are comfortable with programming the Rover actuators and sensors, test yourself with these advanced activities.
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Resources
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[
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](/resources/activity-making-music-advanced)
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[Activity: Making Music (Advanced)](/resources/activity-making-music-advanced)
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[Read More →](/resources/activity-making-music-advanced)
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[
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](/resources/activity-rover-theremin)
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[Activity: Rover Theremin](/resources/activity-rover-theremin)
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[Read More →](/resources/activity-rover-theremin)
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[
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](/resources/getting-started-the-micromelon-rover-uart)
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[How to Use UART ](/resources/getting-started-the-micromelon-rover-uart)
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[Read More →](/resources/getting-started-the-micromelon-rover-uart)
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[
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](/resources/line-following-h433h-89p7d-capak-lpsxl)
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[Activity: Seed Planter](/resources/line-following-h433h-89p7d-capak-lpsxl)
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[Read More →](/resources/line-following-h433h-89p7d-capak-lpsxl)
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[
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](/resources/activity-pingpong-attachment)
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[Activity: Ping-Pong Shooter](/resources/activity-pingpong-attachment)
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[Read More →](/resources/activity-pingpong-attachment)
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[
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](/resources/activity-forklift-attachment)
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[Activity: Forklift Attachment](/resources/activity-forklift-attachment)
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[Read More →](/resources/activity-forklift-attachment)
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### Related Posts
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Resources
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[
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](/resources/creating-a-sumo-unit)
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[All](/resources?category=All)
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[Creating A Sumo Unit For Your Digital Technologies Class](/resources/creating-a-sumo-unit)
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[All](/resources?category=All)
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How to run a sumo unit in your digital technologies classroom.
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[Read More →](/resources/creating-a-sumo-unit)
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[All](/resources?category=All)
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[
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](/resources/ultrasonic-sensor)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Guides](/resources?category=Guides)
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[The Ultrasonic Sensor](/resources/ultrasonic-sensor)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Guides](/resources?category=Guides)
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Learn all about the ultrasonic sensor!
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[Read More →](/resources/ultrasonic-sensor)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Guides](/resources?category=Guides)
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[
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](/resources/year-7-digital-tech-at-st-peters)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Customer Stories](/resources?category=Customer+Stories)
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[Case Study: Year 7 Digital Tech at St Peters Lutheran College](/resources/year-7-digital-tech-at-st-peters)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Customer Stories](/resources?category=Customer+Stories)
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See how Meg Foley at St Peters conducted a challenge for their Year 7s using Micromelon.
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[Read More →](/resources/year-7-digital-tech-at-st-peters)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Customer Stories](/resources?category=Customer+Stories)
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[
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](/resources/robot-simulator)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Getting Started](/resources?category=Getting+Started)
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[Getting Started With The Robot Simulator](/resources/robot-simulator)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Getting Started](/resources?category=Getting+Started)
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How to get started with the Micromelon Robot Simulator.
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[Read More →](/resources/robot-simulator)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Getting Started](/resources?category=Getting+Started)
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[
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](/resources/getting-started-with-the-micromelon-rover)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Getting Started](/resources?category=Getting+Started)
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[Getting Started With The Micromelon Rover](/resources/getting-started-with-the-micromelon-rover)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Getting Started](/resources?category=Getting+Started)
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Crash course on basic rover function, how and what to program and starter activities to attempt.
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[Read More →](/resources/getting-started-with-the-micromelon-rover)
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[All](/resources?category=All), [Getting Started](/resources?category=Getting+Started)
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[
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](/resources/prison-escape)
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[Activities](/resources?category=Activities), [All](/resources?category=All)
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[Activity: Prison Escape](/resources/prison-escape)
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[Activities](/resources?category=Activities), [All](/resources?category=All)
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Learn branching and iteration using the colour sensors and motors.
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[Read More →](/resources/prison-escape)
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[Activities](/resources?category=Activities), [All](/resources?category=All)
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Reference in New Issue
Block a user