Introduction: BB-8 Emotional Companion With Tinkercad and Micro:bit

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About: Teaching English, STEAM and Robotics.
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We have created a BB-8 emotional droid that helps students define their feelings and provides cheerful, droid-inspired advice. This project uses two micro:bit to control a neopixel strip, displaying vibrant light patterns depending on the emotion, and offers advice in the style of the beloved droid BB-8 from Star Wars. Normally, it will be orange, that we have chosen for its association with optimism and energy, reflecting BB-8's spirited and positive personality.

With the cheerful guidance of BB-8, the objective of the activity is to encourage emotional awareness and positivity.

Supplies

  • micro:bit
  • Neopixel strip (WS2812 LEDs)
  • Tinkercad account
  • micro:bit USB cable
  • Battery pack for micro:bit
  • (optional)
  • Connecting wires
  • 3D printer
  • Filament for 3D printing

Step 1: Designing BB-8 in Tinkercad

Step 1: Setting up Tinkercad

Create a Tinkercad account:

  • If you don't already have one, go to the Tinkercad website and sign up for a free account.

Start a new project:

  • Log in to your Tinkercad account and click on “Create new design” to start a new project and choose "3D design".

Step 2: Designing the Body of BB-8

Create the main body (sphere):

  • Select the sphere:
  • From the right-hand side menu, find and drag a sphere shape onto the workplane.
  • Resize the sphere:
  • Adjust the size of the sphere to be a suitable size for BB-8’s body. Use the resize handles to make it around 50mm in diameter.

Add details to the body:

  • Create circular panels:
  • Drag a cylinder shape onto the workplane.
  • Adjust the height to be very thin (about 1-2mm) and resize the diameter to be smaller than the sphere.
  • Use the “Align” tool to position the cylinder on the surface of the sphere.
  • Duplicate the cylinder and place multiple circular panels around the sphere to mimic BB-8’s design.
  • Add other details:
  • Use additional shapes like half-spheres, rectangles, and other basic shapes to add more detailed features and panels to BB-8’s body.

Step 3: Designing the head of BB-8

Create the head (half-sphere):

  • Select the half-sphere:
  • Drag a half-sphere shape onto the workplane.
  • Resize the half-sphere:
  • Adjust the size to be proportional to the body. Make it about 25mm in diameter.
  • Position the head:
  • Move the half-sphere above the main body sphere and align it so it sits on top of the body.

Add details to the head:

  • Create the eye lens:
  • Drag a smaller cylinder onto the workplane.
  • Resize the diameter to be about 5mm and the height to be 2mm.
  • Position the cylinder on the half-sphere to represent BB-8’s eye lens.
  • Add antennae:
  • Drag thin cylinders or rectangular shapes onto the workplane.
  • Resize them to be thin and long to represent BB-8’s antennae.
  • Position the antennae on top of the half-sphere head.

Step 4: Creating space for neopixels and micro:bit

Hollow out the sphere:

  • Create a duplicate of the sphere used for the body.
  • Resize the duplicate to be slightly smaller than the original sphere.
  • Use the “Hole” feature to make the smaller sphere a hollow space.
  • Position the hollow sphere inside the original sphere and group them together to create a hollow body for BB-8.

Create a compartment for the micro:bit:

  • Use rectangular shapes to design a compartment inside the hollow sphere that can securely hold the micro:bit.
  • Ensure the compartment has openings for the micro:bit’s display and buttons to remain accessible.

Create openings for wiring:

  • Use the cylinder shape to create small holes where wires can pass through.
  • Position the holes at the bottom of the sphere and where the head meets the body.

Step 5: assembling the droid

Group the body and head:

  • Select all the parts of the body and head.
  • Use the “Group” tool to combine them into one cohesive model.

Final adjustments:

  • Rotate and move the model to ensure all parts are properly aligned and proportionate.
  • Make any necessary adjustments to the size or position of individual components.

Step 6: Adding color and finishing touches

Apply color:

  • Use the color tool to apply orange and white colors to BB-8’s body and head.
  • Select the different parts of BB-8 and color them appropriately to match BB-8’s appearance in Star Wars.

Save and export:

  • Once you are satisfied with your design, save your project.
  • Export the design as an STL file for 3D printing.

BB-8 Emotional Companion

Step 2: 3D Printing BB-8

Step 1: Preparing for 3D printing

Import the STL file:

  • Import the STL file into your 3D printer’s slicing software (e.g., Cura, PrusaSlicer).

Configure print settings:

  • Adjust the print settings according to your 3D printer’s specifications.
  • Ensure appropriate infill, layer height, and support settings for the model.

Step 2: Printing the model

Start the print:

  • Load the filament into the 3D printer and start the print.
  • Monitor the print to ensure it is progressing correctly.

Post-processing:

  • Once the print is complete, remove any supports and clean up the model.
  • Ensure the compartments for the neopixels and micro:bit are clear and accessible.

Step 3: Part 3: Integrating Electronics

Step 1: Setting up the electronics

Go to the code editor:

Write the program:

  • Enter your code to define emotions and display advice in BB-8's cheerful style.
let strip = neopixel.create(DigitalPin.P0, 10, NeoPixelMode.RGB)
basic.forever(function () {
    if (input.buttonIsPressed(Button.A)) {
        strip.showColor(neopixel.colors(NeoPixelColors.Orange))
        basic.showString("happy: Beep bop! Keep that smile!")
    }
    if (input.buttonIsPressed(Button.B)) {
        strip.showColor(neopixel.colors(NeoPixelColors.Blue))
        basic.showString("sad: Beep beep. Talk to a friend")
    }
    if (input.pinIsPressed(TouchPin.P0)) {
        strip.showColor(neopixel.colors(NeoPixelColors.Red))
        basic.showString("angry: Beep! Take deep breaths")
    }
    if (input.pinIsPressed(TouchPin.P1)) {
        strip.showColor(neopixel.colors(NeoPixelColors.Violet))
        basic.showString("anxious: Bloop beep. Try to meditate")
    }
    if (input.pinIsPressed(TouchPin.P2)) {
        strip.showColor(neopixel.colors(NeoPixelColors.Yellow))
        basic.showString("excited: Bleep bloop! Channel that energy!")

Test the circuit:

  • Use Tinkercad's simulation feature to ensure the micro:bit and neopixels work as expected.
  • Press button A to test the cheerful effect and advice display.

Step 2: Building the physical circuit

Assemble the circuit:

  • Connect the micro:bit and neopixel strip according to the wiring diagram:
  • Power Connection:
  • Connect the VCC pin of the neopixel strip to the 3V pin on the F.
  • Ground Connection:
  • Connect the GND pin of the neopixel strip to the GND pin on the micro:bit.
  • Data Connection:
  • Connect the DIN (data in) pin of the neopixel strip to pin 0 (P0) on the micro:bit.

Insert the Neopixels and micro:bit into BB-8:

  • Carefully insert the neopixel strip inside the hollow BB-8 body.
  • Ensure that the wiring fits through the openings created earlier.
  • Place the micro:bit in the designated compartment, ensuring the display and buttons are accessible.

Upload the Code:

  • Use a micro:bit USB cable to upload the code from Tinkercad to the physical micro:bit.

Final Touches:

  • Secure all components inside the BB-8 model.
  • Add labels or instructions for students on how to use the device: Press button A to receive advice.

BB-8 Emotional Companion