DIY Interactive Robot Using REKA:BIT With Micro:bit

Let's build an interactive robot! 🤖

Not the kind that talks to you per se, but the kind that goes all happy when you start to tickle it! In short, a humanoid Tamagotchi!. 🦾

Curious but can't imagine it? Then come join me and learn how to build it using a REKA:BIT! ✨

Step 1: Components and Tools

Electrical Components Required:

• 1x REKA:BIT board with MicroBit v2 (Notice we're using MicroBit v2 in order to work with its sound & touch sensors)
• 2x Servo motors attached to ice cream sticks
• 2x TT Motor + Wheel Kit
• 1x Potential Meter 10K
• 4x LED
• 4x Resistors (the resistance value can be ranged from 100Ω to 2kΩ)
• 3x Grove to female cable
• 6x Male to male wires
• Battery holder

Tools Required:

• Breadboard
• Cardboard
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissor
• Cable ties

• Ball Universal Wheel (Castor)

All listed components can be found on Cytron Technologies' website!

Step 2: Use Cardboard to Make the Robot Body

1. Cut cardboard to the dimensions shown in figure 1, (Note: you can print the robot template by clicking here!)
2. Use the glue gun to attach the side parts as shown in figures 2, 3.
3. Attach the breadboard holder as shown in figure 4. and make sure to leave a little space for the ease of wire connection as shown in figure 5.

Step 3: Connection

1. The first grove port of REKA:BIT will be connected to the potentiometer, as shown in figure 1
   VCC => 3v3 pin
   GND => GND pin
   OUTPUT => Pin 1 (P1)
2. Connect LEDs to the breadboard, as shown in figure 2
   where:
   The long leg (Anode) should be connected to the output pin.
   The short leg (Cathode) should be connected to a resistor, and the resistor will be connected to the ground pin.
   After that, connect the female wires that coming from the grove port to the male wires on the breadboard.
3. Connect both servo motors to the servo ports number 1 and 2
4. Connect the DC motors to their terminals

In the end, your connection should be similar to figure 3

Step 4: Attach Components to Cardboard

1. Insert the potentiometer in the middle
2. Place the breadboard over the cardboard piece
3. Attach servo motors
4. Place DC motors on the bottom sides
5. Attach REKA:BIT and fix it using cable ties
6. Insert the caster wheel into a piece of cardboard and place it at the bottom
7. Place the battery holder over the cardboard piece
8. Make the circuit connection as shown in the previous step
9. Attach the ice cream sticks to servo motors
10. Close the top side with a cardboard piece

Step 5: Code

Now, connect the MicroBit to your device and open MakeCode editor to start programming.

• Add REKA:BIT extension and follow the code block in the picture above
• After completing the code block, download it and compile it over REKA:BIT

You can also view and edit the code by clicking here!

Step 6: Well Done!

Awesome! the interactive robot is ready to go.
Turn on REKA:BIT and enjoy having fun with it.

Don't forget to show your cool robot to your friends!

Have a good day, Maker :)