Micro:bit Robot Smart Cutebot Kit – a Fun and Educational DIY Robotics Kit

Robotics and coding are becoming essential skills in today’s world, and what better way to get started than with a fun and interactive robot car kit? The ELECFREAKS micro:bit Robot Smart Cutebot Kit is an excellent choice for beginners, students, and even experienced hobbyists looking to explore robotics. This DIY programmable robot car kit is designed for STEM education and provides a hands-on learning experience in coding, electronics, and engineering.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into what makes the Cutebot such a fantastic learning tool. We’ll cover its features, assembly process, programming options, and some exciting project ideas to get you started. Let’s get into it!

1. The Cutebot comes in a compact and neatly arranged box, making it easy to store and transport. Upon opening, you’ll find: Cutebot car chassis
2. A battery holder for power supply
3. An HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor for obstacle detection
4. A line-tracking map for guided navigation experiments
5. A detailed instruction manual and brochure

All components are designed for easy plug-and-play assembly, meaning no prior experience is required to get started. Whether you are a young student, a teacher, or a hobbyist, this kit ensures a smooth and enjoyable learning experience.

Main Components of the ELECFREAKS Cutebot

The Cutebot is more than just a simple robot car—it’s packed with advanced features that allow for creative and educational experiments. Here’s what you get:

1. Ultrasonic Sensor for Obstacle Avoidance

This sensor allows the Cutebot to detect objects in front of it and navigate accordingly. Whether you want to create an autonomous driving system or an interactive obstacle course, this sensor is key to making your robot smart.

2. High-Speed Motors for Smooth Movement

The Cutebot is powered by two GA12-N20 DC micro gear deceleration motors, which provide speed, stability, and precision control. This makes it great for line-following experiments, racing challenges, and obstacle courses.

3. Line-Tracking Sensors for Path Navigation

Two infrared sensors help the Cutebot follow a black line on a white surface. This is perfect for learning about automation and machine vision, two important aspects of robotics.

4. RGB Headlights and Side LED Lights

The robot includes customizable RGB headlights and rainbow-colored clearance lamps, making it visually appealing and fun to program.

5. Expandability with IIC and Servo Ports

The Cutebot offers IIC and servo interface ports, allowing users to expand functionality by adding extra sensors, joysticks, and other modules. This makes it a versatile platform for more advanced projects.

6. Multiple Control Options

You can control the Cutebot using:

1. Micro:bit Bluetooth for wireless programming
2. Infrared remote control
3. Joystick:bit for manual control

This flexibility allows for endless possibilities in programming and interaction

One of the best things about the ELECFREAKS Cutebot is how easy it is to assemble and program. The plug-and-play components mean you don’t need any additional tools to get started. Simply attach the ultrasonic sensor, insert the battery pack, and you’re good to go!

Programming with MakeCode, MicroPython, and More

The Cutebot supports multiple programming languages, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. Here’s how you can start coding:

1. MakeCode (Block-based coding): Perfect for beginners and kids. You can drag and drop blocks to create fun and interactive programs.
2. MicroPython (Text-based coding): Ideal for users who want to explore more advanced programming.
3. JavaScript and MicroBlock: For those looking to experiment beyond basic coding.

ELECFREAKS WIKI – A Great Learning Resource

ELECFREAKS provides an extensive online WIKI with tutorials, sample codes, and step-by-step guides for setting up the Cutebot. Whether you are a teacher integrating this into a classroom setting or a student learning independently, this resource is invaluable.

Guys, now let me show you how easy it is to code this robot! One way to code this robot is by using MakeCode. Simply search for MakeCode on Google, and you should be able to see the official link. Click on that.

If you want, you can create an account, but for now, I’m skipping that step. Simply click on New Project, give your project a name (let’s call it “Cutebot”), and click Create.

On the left side, you’ll see some basic functions. Now, we need to add an extension for Cutebot. In the search bar on top, type “Cutebot” and hit enter. You’ll see two options: Cutebot and Cutebot pro. For now, select Cutebot, as that’s the one we’re using.

Once added, you’ll see a new Cutebot extension in the left menu. Click on it, and you’ll find all the functions supported by our Cutebot.

Now, let’s create some blocks to see how this works. You’ll mainly see two blocks:

1. On start – This works like the setup() function in Arduino, meaning everything inside this block runs once when the robot is powered on.
2. Forever – This works like a loop, meaning everything inside this block runs repeatedly.

For example, if we power on the robot, the LED matrix will light up in a specific pattern. You can change this pattern by clicking on it and modifying it.

In the Forever block, we can add a condition: if the light level is less than 30, meaning the ambient light is low, the headlights will turn on with a specific RGB color. If the light level is greater than 30, meaning there’s enough ambient light, the headlights will turn off.

To upload the code, click on the Download button at the bottom left. Connect your micro:bit to your computer, then click Next. Once connected, hit Download, and your code will be uploaded.

And there you go! The code is now uploaded. When you block ambient light, the headlights turn on, and when there’s enough light, they turn off. The graphical programming tools make it accessible for kids, while Python allows advanced users to dive deeper into robotics programming.

The ELECFREAKS Cutebot is not just a toy—it’s a powerful educational tool that allows users to develop problem-solving skills and creativity. Here are some fun projects to try:

1. Line-Following Robot

Use the included line-tracking sensors to create a robot that follows a designated path on the ground. This is a great introduction to autonomous navigation.

2. Obstacle Avoidance Robot

Program the ultrasonic sensor to detect obstacles and navigate around them, making the Cutebot a self-driving car prototype.

3. Bluetooth-Controlled Car

Use a mobile app or a joystick to control the robot via Bluetooth, turning it into a fun remote-controlled car.

4. RGB Light Customization

Experiment with different light patterns and effects using the RGB headlights and clearance lamps. Great for artistic and interactive projects.

5. Sound-Activated Car

With additional sensors, you can program the Cutebot to respond to claps or voice commands, making it even more interactive.