Program Arduino Mobile Robot Using mBlock | 2 Detect Object

OVERVIEW

PikaBot is a mobile robot kit based on Maker UNO (Arduino UNO compatible). It allows users to learn electronics, sensors, microcontrollers, and coding while having fun. It also comes with a comprehensively designed box that can be used as the mobile robot base and cover!

mBlock is a programming software tool developed based on Scratch 3.0 and Arduino code. It allows kids to learn programming using block-based programming language.

I had created an extension for PikaBot in mBlock to let users without electronics or programming knowledge to start coding and learn robotics in a fun and easy way.

This is the second lesson(detect object) for this series.Check out the other lessons in the links below:

• Program Arduino Mobile Robot Using mBlock | 1 Move Around
• Program Arduino Mobile Robot Using mBlock | 3 Line Follow

SOFTWARE SETUP

ONLINE VERSION

Step 1: Go to mBlock web code editor

Go to mBlock web code editor at: https://ide.mblock.cc/

Step 2: Add PikaBot device

Click on device in left panel

Click on the add button and choose PikaBot extension

OFFLINE VERSION

Step 1: Download and install mBlock5

Download mBlock5 software at: https://www.mblock.cc/en-us/download/

Click on the downloaded file to install mBlock5 software

Step 2: Add PikaBot device extension

Click on device in left panel

Click on the add button and choose PikaBot extension

DETECT OBSTACLE

CODING

Drag and drop when pikabot starts up block from Events category.

Intialtize the motors by drag initialize left motor... block from Motor category and drop it under when pikabot starts up block. Click here to learn how to use Motors for PikaBot

Initialize the ultrasonic sensors by drag initialize ultrasonic:... block from Sensors category and drop it under initialize left motor....

Default ultrasonic sensor pins for PikaBot is:

• TRIG - 5
• ECHO - 4

Change the pin values if you are NOT using default pins as mention in PikaBot manual.

Drag forever and if else block from Control category and drop as shown below.

Drag ' '< '50' block from Operator category and drop it in if else block.

Drag ultrasonic distance (cm) from Sensors category and drop it in ' '< '50'.

Drag move forward and brake blocks from Motor category and drop it as below.

UPLOAD

Connect USB cable from your PC to PikaBot. Make sure it is in 'Upload' mode and click on the 'Connect' button on bottom left in mBlock.

Then choose the correct COM port for your device, and click connect.

Then click on the upload button and wait for it to upload the program to PikaBot.

TESTING

MORE PROGRAMMING

Program the blocks as shown below

PikaBot comes with a push button. Default pin for the push button is pin 2.

• Press the push button to start the PikaBot to detect object
• PikaBot moves forward if the obstacle is more than 15cm
• PikaBot brakes if the is an obstacle less than 15cm