Introducing BitBot XL, taking the much-loved BitBot to the next level. There are several changes, some subtle, some less so, to give a much-improved experience of using and working with the BitBot.
The Microsoft Makecode Extension for Bit:Bot also works for BitBot XL. Go to the Advanced tab or the Tools gear icon and select Extensions, then search for BitBot. It can automatically detect while running which version you have, or you can force it to be the Classic BitBot or the new XL.
Dimensions: approx 10% larger in length and width
Chunky wheels
Ready assembled with battery pack permanently attached
Motor gearboxes fully covered to minimise fluff, etc., in the gears
Microbit mounted vertically
Uses standard breakout connector for ultrasonic breakout
Line sensors no longer share pins with the Microbit buttons - removes all Bluetooth pairing issues and allows use of buttons in your code
Pen holder is fitted as standard and is mounted directly over the pivot point for better drawing
Indicator LEDs added for line follower sensors
2 GVS outputs provided for potential servo usage with 5V power
Makecode extension has been changed so code is compatible with both Classic and XL versions
Buzzer now connected on Pin 0 so you can play music through it
Plus it still retains all these features from the classic BitBot:
2 micro-metal gear motors, both fully controllable in software, for both speed and direction
Wheels with rubber tyres for maximum grip
Front ball castor
12 smart RGB LEDs in 2 sets of 6 along the arms either side - select any colour for any pixel to produce stunning lighting effects as your Bit:Bot XL moves around
2 digital line following sensors - code your own line-following robots and race them to see whose code gets the fastest lap time!
2 analogue light sensors allow your Bit:Bot XL to be programmed to follow a light source such as a torch, or you could code it to go and hide in the darkest place it can find
Buzzer - make beeping sounds or music whenever you want
Powered from integrated 3x AA battery holder with on/off switch and blue indicator LED
Easily plug your BBC micro:bit in and out using the vertical edge connector
Expansion connections at the front for accessories
Two GVS connectors with 5V for servos (shared with light sensors)
Notes: BBC Micro:Bit not included. Batteries, pen and ultrasonic sensor are not included.
The Bit:Commander game pad is a great accessory for the BBC micro:bit. With the device you can power and experiment with the micro:bit, plus the Bit:Commander can be used to act as a remote control for another micro:bit device, such as a Bit:Bot, or act as a self-contained portable (no wires) games console. With the Bit:Commander you get: Battery pack (3 x AA batteries required) Edge connector for easy connection to the BBC micro:bit Robust On/Off switch Blue power indicator 6x Multi-colour RGB LEDs (aka neopixels) 4x Square 12mm push buttons with coloured caps (red, yellow, green, blue) Analog dial input with centre click detent for easy centering Analog Joystick with X and Y movement and a push switch Powered miniature speaker NEW: Try out the Makecode/PXT package for Bit:Commander: In Makecode, go to Advanced and select Add Package. Then insert this URL into the search box: https://github.com/4tronix/BitCommander.
Great for gaming
Experiment with D/A inputs as well as speaker and neopixel outputs
Everything is pre-fitted, no wires, soldering or jumpers to fiddle with
This is a great base for your Cube:Bit, allowing easy connection of power and signal and directly pluggable into a micro:Bit or Raspberry Pi Zero. The base has been especially designed to accept all 3 sizes of Cube:Bit and provide a simple method of powering them. Because a lot of LEDs uses a lot of power, neither the micro:bit nor the Raspberry Pi can power the Cube:Bits directly. This base plate allows you to connect the 5V power in 4 different ways: DC Jack using a standard 2.1mm (centre positive) DC Jack you can simply plug in a 5V DC power supply Micro USB connector. Get yourself a high power USB power supply (such as the official 2.5A Raspberry Pi power supply) and simply plug it in Crocodile/alligator clip positions allow you to connect power and signal using croc clips - eg from a Crumble, micro:bit or similar GVS pins allow you to take a standard 3-pin 2.54mm female cable and plug it directly in. eg from an Arduino sensor shield or directly from a 4duino Pro There is a 40pin GPIO header that you can plug a Raspberry Pi Zero into and it will be powered from the 5V and connect on GPIO 12 (pin 18) to the neopixel array. This is the standard pin for driving neopixels on the Raspberry Pi. Note that there isn't room to fit a full-size Raspberry Pi (though with a GPIO cable you could do that as well). There is also a micro:bit connector so you can plug your micro:bit straight in. This is powered via the 3.3V voltage regulator from the 5V so no separate power is required for the Micro:Bit. This connects on Pin 0 to the Cube:Bit pixels. As you can see, an extremely flexible and useful addition to your Cube:Bit.
When used with the Robo:Bit buggy the Ultrasonic Distance Sensor lets the robot detect objects before it collides with them allowing you to program it to avoid them. It can also be used to create a 'follow me' program where the robot tries to stay a certain distance from the object in front of it.
Extends the versatility of the Robo:Bit buggy
Ready assembled, just attach to Robo:Bit using supplied screws
The Power:Bit is a neat little board that can power your BBC micro:bit on the move. Because the Power:Bit is battery powered there are no wires to break or get tangled up and disconnected. The pins of the micro:bit are replicated so the unit can be directly plugged into most accessories. Additionally, the edge connector is wired so that the micro:bit can be inserted either way round - allowing you to decide the orientation of the LEDs, forwards or backwards, or up or down.
The MK3 is the latest iteration of the Robo:Bit buggy. Technically similar to its sibling, the MK3 includes as standard the sensors and accessories that were optional with the MK2. The Robo:Bit buggy can be assembled very quickly using only a screwdriver. No soldering is required making it a great beginners kit and the chunky wheels and powerful motors mean it works well on any surface. You can learn about controlling motors and use the accelerometers or compass on the micro:bit to aid navigation and collision detection. You can also make a very cool remote control robot by using another micro:bit and the radio function. Includes, along with the buggy, the line following sensor, ultrasonic distance sensor, integrated pen holder, and the LED light bar. Connections are provided for lots of the BBC micro:bit pins, and all have immediate 3-pin access to power (3.3V) and ground. There are three separate pins for 5V if you need the extra voltage (but don't feed back 5V to the micro:bit as it won't like it!). This is the GVS (Ground, Volts, Signal) system for sensors and servos etc.
The Robobit Makecode package supports all versions of Robobit Mk3
Uses the DRV8833 motor driver for motors in the 3 to 6V range
The Bit:Bot Robot is a feature-packed little robot that is almost ready to go, requiring no soldering, no wires and nothing more than a screwdriver to complete it.
This money-saving starter bundle contains everything you need to make a complete working robot including the Bit:Bot, micro:bit and AA batteries.
All you need to supply is a micro USB cable to download the program.
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