4tronix

Bit:Bot Fully Integrated Robot for the BBC Micro:Bit

NB. BBC Micro:Bit is NOT included unless specifically selected with the checkbox

This (almost) ready-assembled robot requires no soldering, no wires and nothing more than a screwdriver to complete it.

The Bit:Bot fully engages children and adults alike, allowing you to explore and code the BBC Micro:Bit using any of the languages available (not all features are supported in all languages)

Learn here how to control the Bit:Bot with your Bluetooth phone

 *NEW* There is now a Microsoft PXT package for Bit:Bot (thanks to Sten Roger Sandvik, @stenrs on Twitter). Go to the Advanced tab or the Tools gear icon and select Add Package, then search for BitBot
 

Check out these features:

• 2 micro-metal gear motors. Both fully controllable in software, for both speed (0 to 100%) and direction (forward or reverse)
• Wheels with rubber tyres for maximum grip
• Really smooth metal ball front caster
• 12 mini neopixels in 2 sets of 6 along the arms either side. Select any colour for any pixel, produce stunning lighting effects as your Bit:Bot moves around
• 2 digital line following sensors. Code your own line-following robots and race them to see whose code produces the fastest lap time!
• 2 analog light sensors (front left and front right) so your Bit:Bot can 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, so you can make beeping sounds whenever you want
• Powered from integrated 3xAA battery holder with on/off switch and blue indicator LED
• Easily plug your BBC micro:bit in and out using the edge connector
• Extension port for addition neopixels (such as McRoboFace)
• Expansion connections at the front for additional sensors (Ultrasonic rangefinder available now, more in development)

Optionally, you can add an Ultrasonic Distance Sensor (rangefinder) module. The sensor can be either soldered to the module, or connected via a socket. No soldering is required for either version. The socketed version makes it easier to connect a micro-USB lead to the Micro:Bit, but the soldered version is more robust.

We also have an option for a pen holder that is fitted at the back. This can be plain, or have LEDs on to create a glow ring effect around the pen

See our detailed blog entry for example code snippets and application ideas

Bit:2:Pi Allows the BBC Micro:Bit to Connect to Raspberry Pi Addon Boards

NB. BBC Micro:Bit and Unicorn pHat are NOT included

The Bit:2:Pi enables you to re-use all those hundreds of Raspberry Pi addon boards and HATs.

Simply plug your Micro:Bit into the edge connector and the required Raspberry Pi Hat onto the GPIO connector, then program your Micro:Bit to control the new board. Most Raspberry Pi boards are very simple to program as they are controlled by simple on/off signals on the GPIO connector which are easily copied in the Micro:Bit. We have also used Neopixel hats (eg. Unicorn from Pimoroni) with great success and are happily communicating via I2C as well.

Selecting which Micro:Bit pin is connected to which GPIO pin, is via a set of configurable jumpers. There is a default set of connections that works for the most common boards, including I2C and SPI connections, but it is a simple matter to unplug a jumper or two, and replace it with a longer wire jumper (4 included) to connect your preferred pins.

Of course, the original code for the Raspberry Pi won't run directly on the micro:bit but with support from our community we will get more and more boards working and with example microbit code.

Current boards tested are:
4tronix: PlayHat, Picon Zero, PiStop, motor controllers
Pimoroni: Pibrella, Unicorn pHat/HAT. Explorer, Enviro pHat, Blinkt, Scroll pHat

This board is supplied in two versions, both fully soldered:
1. Without battery holder
2. Including 3xAA battery holder so you can run your Raspberry Pi addons without wires!

Power is supplied to the board and the micro:bit via the micro-USB connector on the side, but there is also an option to add a battery holder to allow completely wire-free operation.

More details on our blog

Robo:Bit Robotics Controller for the BBC Micro:Bit

NB. BBC Micro:Bit is NOT included unless specifically selected with the checkbox

This ready-assembled robotics controller board is ready to accept your BBC Micro:Bit, battery power (3 or 4 cells of AA is ideal) and motors of your choice to make your own DIY robot. Use a small box, ice-cream carton or similar to house everything and you can build a really affordable robot for your school, coding club or home.

Robo:Bit has been cleverly designed so that with a few hexagonal pillars and screws, you can fit the motors, battery box, front casters, line following sensors and even ultrasonic distance sensors and have a very neat and simple robot!

Robo:Bit uses the ever popular DRV8833 motor driver which allows you to use most small motors that operate in the 3-6V range.

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.

On the left side of the board (the "front" of the robot) is a set of 4 offset holes into which you can simply poke an HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor. The offset holes and gold plating ensure a good connection, but you can also solder it in permanently for added robustness.

More details in our blog

In addition to the Robo:Bit board itself, we offer the following options:

• Fixings pack. Screws, hexagonal pillars and a Pololu caster. This allows you to fit standard yellow motors (not included) and immediately get a robot working
• Line follower pack. Includes 2 line follower modules, hexagonal pillars, screws and short 10cm GVS leads
• BBC Micro:Bit - just in case you don't already have one!

PiStop Road Crossing Base

This products is an oversized Hat Addon Board for your Raspberry Pi that enables you to plug in 4 PiStops (optional extra) and control them in a standard 4-way road crossing

In addition to 2 pairs of traffic lights, there are:

• Two pairs of pedestrian crossing lights, each with red and Green LEDs on both sides of the roads
• Two pairs of buttons which you can use to control the pedestrian crossing lights or something else if you choose
• Buzzer, so you can make a sound when pedestrians are allowed to cross

This can all be programmed easily on your Raspberry Pi in Python (with GPIO-Zero or RPI-GPIO) or in Scratch (ScratchGPIO)

Notes:

1. PiStops are optional extras
2. Figures shown are not included
3. Requires a Raspberry Pi with 40-pin GPIO connector

The Broadcom pin numbers are show on the back of the board for reference:

Left/Right Traffic Lights: Up/Down Traffic Lights:
Up/Down Pedestrian Lights:
Left/Right Pedestrian Lights:
Buttons:
Buzzer - 19

Ultrasonic Distance Sensor for Bit:Bot

NB. Bit:Bot not included

Ready-Soldered, just attach to your Bit:Bot with the screws provided and off you go.

Use Microsoft PXT (or MicroPython with some awkward code) to read the distance to an obstacle, then program your Bit:Bot to avoid it.

Both Ping and Echo signals are on the same pin (Pin 15)

This accessory is available in 2 flavours:

1. With the ultrasonic sensor soldered directly to the PCB
2. With a socket soldered on the PCB that you can plug the sensor into

The sensor soldered into the PCB is much more robust and reliable, but has a big drawback in that you cannot access the micro-USB connector on the micro:bit unless you either remove the micro:bit or use a right-angled USB lead

The socketed version allows most USB leads to access the micro:bit, but it isn't as robust.

Robo:Bit Mk2 DIY Buggy for the BBC Micro:Bit

NB. BBC Micro:Bit is NOT included unless specifically selected with the checkbox

This little buggy can be assembled very quickly using only a screwdriver. No soldering is required

Improvements over Mk1:

• Stronger motor sub-chassis with no structural solder joints
• Wire-free battery pack
• Easier to attach battery holder
• Current limit on motors to prevent stall current resetting the Micro:Bit
• Solid bolt-on ultrasonic attachment

It comprises several packs that are also available separately:

• Robo:Bit Mk2 robotics controller PCB
• Fixings pack (battery holder, screws, mounting pillars, caster, etc.)
• Wheels Motors and wheels
• Optional extra: Line sensor pack
• Optional extra: Ultrasonic distance sensor module
• Optional extra: McRoboFace - simply push the 4-pin connector of the McRoboFace into the 4 holes at the front of the Robo:Bit

Using the basic kit you can learn about:

• Controlling motors with simple Forwards / Reverse controls
• Controlling the speed of motors in both directions using PWM
• Use a second BBC micro:bit with the easy-to-use radio software to control the buggy
• Use the motion sensor on the micro:bit to detect collision with obstacles and avoid them

With the Plug-in Ultrasonic Distance Sensor:

• Detect when obstacles get close and change the program to avoid the obstacles
• "Follow-Me" program that tries to stay a certain distance from the object in front

With the Line Follower Sensor Pack:

• Use the 2 line sensors either side of the non-reflective line to detect the line and keep the buggy on track
• Write more complex programs that behave as required if you meet a T-Junction or crossing of lines
• Compare different line following strategies - create a race-track and see which strategy is fastest
• In combination with the distance sensor, make it avoid obstacles on the track and then re-acquire the line

Assembly instructions in our blog

1m Cable for Playground and Gizmos
(Works with Crumble and BBC micro:bit Playgrounds)

The Playground system is an easy way to connect from Crumble or BBC micro:bit to useful Gizmos

This cable is flexible and easy to use with Playground

• 1m long
• Gold-plated
• White

Ideal for use with your Playground and Gizmos

1 Cable included

40-Pin GPIO Breakout for Raspberry Pi

A great way of accessing those unused GPIO pins even when they're covered by a HAT

Now with a custom-made longer and fatter extended female header to ensure great connection with every HAT and pHAT!

• Suitable for all Raspberry Pi with 40 pin GPIO. Zero, A+, B+, 2B, 3B
• GPIO header is pre-soldered
• All pins labelled (Broadcom naming)
• Solder wires directly to the broken out pins or solder the (included) male header
• Uses a low-profile header fitted to the breakout PCB and an extended female header that you simply push through the holes (see photos)
• Plug your HAT or other addon board into the pins of the extended header
• Matte black PCB with gold plated contacts

Contents:

• PCB with pre-fitted GPIO header
• Extended female header 2x20, 12mm legs (push though)
• 2x20 male header (solder on if required)
• All RoHS compatible and gold-plated

Part of the Basic Building Blocks range from 4tronix which enables stacking multiple addons. As with all products in the range, the GPIO header is pre-fitted, leaving you to solder the through-hole components.

40-Pin GPIO Breakout for Raspberry Pi - 10 Pack PCB+GPIO Header Only

This item is a panel of 10 PCBs with the GPIO connector already soldered on. The additional female and male headers shipped with the single item are not included.

A great way of accessing those unused GPIO pins even when they're covered by a HAT

• Suitable for all Raspberry Pi with 40 pin GPIO. Zero, A+, B+, 2B, 3B
• GPIO header is pre-soldered
• All pins labelled (Broadcom naming)
• Solder wires directly to the broken out pins or solder a male header (not included)
• Uses a low-profile header fitted to the breakout PCB and an extended female header (not included) that you simply push through the holes (see photos)
• Plug your HAT or other addon board into the pins of the extended header
• Matte black PCB with gold plated contacts

Contents:

• PCB with pre-fitted GPIO header (male header and extended female header NOT included
• All RoHS compatible and gold-plated

Part of the Basic Building Blocks range from 4tronix which enables stacking multiple addons. As with all products in the range, the GPIO header is pre-fitted, leaving you to solder the through-hole components.

NB. Some HATs using low-profile headers may not make as good contact with the header. In that case, you will need to screw the HAT firmly into supporting pillars (not included).

Race Track for Robots with Line Follower Sensors

These tough vinyl race tracks have a black line that is over-coated with a deep matte black to reduce the natural reflections.

The track is available in 2 sizes: 4' x 2' and 6' x 3'

Both sizes of track have the same line width (18mm), but all other features are simply scaled.

Supplied in a cardboard tube for safe storage.

Playground for Raspberry Pi - Starter Kit

This is an exciting new way to use your Raspberry Pi with physical components, both digital and analog.
The Playground for Pi addon board gives you 8 terminals that can be inputs or outputs. Using the growing collection of Gizmos you can create all sorts of inventions
The Playground for Pi has a built in analog converter which you can easily use with ScratchGPIO or GPIO-zero and there are examples for each of the Gizmos.

All Gizmos except the standard Motor Gizmo will work with the Playground for Pi.

This Starter Kit Includes:

• Playground for Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi is not included)
• 4 x Connection Cables
• Traffic Light Gizmo
• Dial Gizmo
• Buzzer Gizmo
• 2 x Flame Gizmos
• Prototyping Gizmo

See our blog for detailed usage and programming information


Other Gizmos - Available now
Many Gizmos are already available and more are on the way. Each Gizmo connects directly to the Playground with usually one connection cable (Traffic Lights uses 3 cables, one for each colour). As with our Crumbs, the Gizmos are colour coded:

• Blue - Digital Input (eg. Button)
• Yellow - Analog Input (eg. Dial)
• Black - Digital Output (eg. Buzzer)
• Red - Analog Output (eg. motors)
• White - Smart pixels ("Sparkles")

Here is a great video introducing Playground for Crumble. A similar approach can be taken with Playground for Pi

Playground for Raspberry Pi - Super Kit

This is an exciting new way to use your Raspberry Pi with physical components, both digital and analog.
The Playground for Pi addon board gives you 8 terminals that can be inputs or outputs. Using the growing collection of Gizmos you can create all sorts of inventions
The Playground for Pi has a built in analog converter which you can easily use with ScratchGPIO or GPIO-zero and there are examples for each of the Gizmos.

All Gizmos except the standard Motor Gizmo will work with the Playground for Pi.

This Playground Super Kit includes:

• Playground for Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi is not included)
• 4 x Connection Cables 20cm
• 1 x Connection Cable 50cm
• 1 x Connection Cable 100cm
• Analog Dial Gizmo
• Light Sensor Gizmo
• Buzzer Gizmo
• Traffic Light Gizmo
• Servo Gizmo
• Touch Sensor Gizmo
• 2 x Flame Gizmos
• 1 x Blaze Gizmo or Fire Stick Gizmo (select as Option)

See our blog for detailed usage and programming information


Other Gizmos - Available now
Many Gizmos are already available and more are on the way. Each Gizmo connects directly to the Playground with usually one connection cable (Traffic Lights uses 3 cables, one for each colour). As with our Crumbs, the Gizmos are colour coded:

• Blue - Digital Input (eg. Button)
• Yellow - Analog Input (eg. Dial)
• Black - Digital Output (eg. Buzzer)
• Red - Analog Output (eg. motors)
• White - Smart pixels ("Sparkles")

Playground for Crumble - Super Kit

This is an exciting new way to use your Crumble, without requiring crocodile clips which can be difficult for small people to use.

Also, this new approach allows the use of a single cable for most addons, instead of 3 crocodile clips

This Playground Super Kit includes:

• Playground for Crumble (Crumble is not included)
• 4 x Connection Cables 20cm
• 1 x Connection Cable 50cm
• 1 x Connection Cable 100cm
• Analog Dial Gizmo
• Light Sensor Gizmo
• Buzzer Gizmo
• Traffic Light Gizmo
• Servo Gizmo
• Touch Sensor Gizmo
• 2 x Flame Gizmos
• 1 x Blaze Gizmo or Fire Stick Gizmo (select as Option)

See our blog for detailed usage and programming information


Other Gizmos - Available now
Many Gizmos are already available and more are on the way. Each Gizmo connects directly to the Playground with usually one connection cable (Traffic Lights uses 3 cables, one for each colour). As with our Crumbs, the Gizmos are colour coded:

• Blue - Digital Input (eg. Button)
• Yellow - Analog Input (eg. Dial)
• Black - Digital Output (eg. Buzzer)
• Red - Analog Output (eg. motors)
• White - Smart pixels ("Sparkles")

Here is a great video introducing Playground for Crumble. A similar approach can be taken with Playground for Pi

Blaze Gizmo for Playground
(Works with all types of Playgrounds)

The Playground system is an easy way to connect from Crumble or BBC micro:bit to useful Gizmos

The Fire Stick Gizmo provides 8 "Smart Pixels" in a line that can be used by raspberry Pi, or Crumble (as Sparkles), or by BBC micro:bit (as neopixels). Simply use one of the connection cables to connect from the Playground to the Gizmo

This Gizmo also has an Output connector to allow you to chain it with other smart pixel Gizmos. Note that the Crumble will only support 32 pixels in total (so 4 x Fire Stick, or 4 x Blaze or some combination).

Playground for Raspberry Pi

The latest addition to our popular Playground system is this addon board for the Raspberry Pi (all 40-pin versions).
This allows you to connect to all the existing Gizmos (except the Motor Gizxmo) using a simply stereo 3.5mm jack cable.

* Gizmos and cables not included, but we also have starter kits available

See our blog for detailed usage and programming information

Features:

• Plugs directly onto your Raspberry Pi (all versions with a 40-pin GPIO header)
• This board is mechanically a HAT, but doesn't have the EEROM so cannot be called a HAT
• Blue power indicator LED
• Robust design allows you to short the outputs with damaging the Pi (or affecting it in any way)
• Provides 8 ports that can be analog input, digital Input or digital output
• Each connector includes the signal as well as power and ground
• Fast and easy to connect

Gizmos
Many Gizmos are already available and more are on the way. Each Gizmo connects directly to the Playground with usually one connection cable (Traffic Lights uses 3 cables, one for each colour). As with our Crumbs, the Gizmos are colour coded:

• Blue - Digital Input (eg. Button)
• Yellow - Analog Input (eg. Dial)
• Black - Digital Output (eg. Buzzer)
• Red - Analog Output (eg. motors)
• White - Smart pixels ("Sparkles")

Here is a great video introducing Playground for Crumble

Playground for BBC Micro:Bit - Super Kit

This is an exciting new way to use your micro:bit, with addon components, but without requiring crocodile clips which can be difficult for small people to use.

Also, this new approach allows the use of a single cable for most addons, instead of 3 crocodile clips

See our blog for detailed usage and programming informnation

This Playground Super Kit includes:

• Playground for Micro:Bit (Micro:Bit is not included)
• 4 x Connection Cables 20cm
• 1 x Connection Cable 50cm
• 1 x Connection Cable 100cm
• Analog Dial Gizmo
• Light Sensor Gizmo
• Buzzer Gizmo
• Traffic Light Gizmo
• Servo Gizmo
• Touch Sensor Gizmo
• 2 x Flame Gizmos
• 1 x Blaze Gizmo or Fire Stick Gizmo (select as Option)

See our blog for detailed usage and programming information


Other Gizmos - Available now
Many Gizmos are already available and more are on the way. Each Gizmo connects directly to the Playground with usually one connection cable (Traffic Lights uses 3 cables, one for each colour). As with our Crumbs, the Gizmos are colour coded:

• Blue - Digital Input (eg. Button)
• Yellow - Analog Input (eg. Dial)
• Black - Digital Output (eg. Buzzer)
• Red - Analog Output (eg. motors)
• White - Smart pixels ("Sparkles")

Here is a great video introducing Playground for Crumble. A similar approach can be taken with Playground for Pi

Wire-Free Battery Pack System for CrumbleBot

Remove all the wires, improve the robustness, do away with fiddly micro-USB connectors.
You can even use this system to repair any CrumbleBot with broken micro-USB connectors, broken switches or broken battery wires.

This new system is super strong, has no wires to break or get tangled and "just works". It even includes a switch, blue LED and a resettable fuse

Make sure you choose the correct model for your version of CrumbleBot:

• Version 1.5
• Version 1.4 or earlier.

Contents:

• 3xAA Battery holder fitted to PCB with Switch, LED and fuse
• 2 x 20mm mounting pillars for the battery holder (you only need these if you previously had a USB battery pack)
• 4 x M2.5, 8mm screws to fit the pillars and the battery pack to the pillars.
• Special adaptor PCB (this takes the power from the battery pillars and provides it to the Crumble)
• 2 x M2.5, 6mm screws to fit the adaptor PCB to the Crumble power connections.

Pen Holder for Bit:Bot or CrumbleBot

NB. Bit:Bot not included

This nifty little, and extremely thin, PCB allows you to connect a pen to the back of your Bit:Bot or CrumbleBot*

• Only 0.4mm thin, so it is very flexible, allowing it to put downwards pressure on the pen without pushing the robot off the ground
• Rubber grommet with 10mm internal diameter - ideal for Sharpie felt tips and other pens
• Easily fitted onto the two screws for the battery support pillars in seconds

This accessory is available in 2 flavours:

1. Plain PCB with rubber grommet for maximum economy
2. Fitted with 8 bright white LEDs to produce a glow-ring effect on the top and lighting the drawing below**

* CrumbleBot must use 3xAA battery holders as this is fitted to the bottom of the battery support pillars
** Powered LEDs on CrumbleBot requires the "wire-free" battery holder system

Ultrasonic Distance Sensor for Robo:Bit

NB. Robo:Bit not included

Ready-Soldered, just attach to your Robo:Bit using the 2 screws for the front caster and off you go.

Use Microsoft PXT (or MicroPython with some awkward code) to read the distance to an obstacle, then program your Bit:Bot to avoid it.

Both Ping and Echo signals are on the same pin (Pin 13) (NB. this is a different pin to Bit:Bot)

This module should be screwed tightly to the front of the Robo:Bit ensuring the the little solder pips on the underneath make good contact with the pads of the Robo:Bit. See attached photos.

CrumbleBot Mk2 Robot for Crumble Adventures and Experiments

The CrumbleBot Mk2 is an ideal way to introduce young (and old) children to robotics using the fantastic Crumble controller.

All programming with the Crumble is extremely easy: drag, drop and click is all that is required to accomplish hundreds of simple and more complex tasks

CrumbleBot Mk2 builds on the success of the Mk1 with lots more features:

• 8 Super-bright RGB LEDs - 'Sparkles'
• 2 push-button switches
• Easy to use Buzzer
• Simple jumper connection system - removes the need for croc clips
• "Wire-free", low-profile battery holder (no USB connectors or wires to get broken)
• Modified motor mounting positions to reduce dust ingress into the gearbox
• Improved, smooth-running, front caster
• Powered front accessory connector
• Additional mounting holes near rear to allow fitting of a "second deck"

With this robot kit you can do experiments for:

• Basic movements (forward, reverse, left spin, right spin)
• More complex turns (by moving one motor slower than the other)
• Line following using the built-in line sensors with indicators
• Light seeking or light avoiding using the built-in light sensors
• Using the built-in Sparkles to give indications of what is happening
• Use the built-in push-button switches to start/stop the program, change mode or anything else you want

Simple programs to accomplish line following and light seeking are shown in the pictures for the listing.

Crumble controller is NOT included unless option is selected

Assembly and Coding Instructions here

Optional Addons available:

• Ultrasonic distance sensor - simply screws on to the front powered accessory connector
• Pen holder (with or without "halo" LEDs)