10

Minor Versionm

by Joshua

Really Robotic Robot Costume - LED Light Animations

Written By: Natasha Dzurny (and 2 other contributors)
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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

12

Time Required

00:45:00 - 01:30:00

Sections

1

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0

Introduction

Meet Sally Servo - the Really Robotic Robot. :)

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make an LED status animation like the one on Sally's robot suit.

Every robot has a good status symbol light. Use maker tape and 10mm LEDs to make one for your Really Robotic Robot. This is an easy project and a great introduction to micro:bit with many ways to customize it!

Video Overview

Featured Document

  1. Gather supplies, and print the template (optional).

    • Gather supplies, and print the template (optional).

  2. Mark the locations of the four holes for the LEDs. This photo shows the holes 1-inch apart. You could also use the template to mark the locations if you like the spacing. Mark the locations of the four holes for the LEDs. This photo shows the holes 1-inch apart. You could also use the template to mark the locations if you like the spacing.

    • Mark the locations of the four holes for the LEDs. This photo shows the holes 1-inch apart. You could also use the template to mark the locations if you like the spacing.

  3. To cut the holes, we used a craft knife to mark the circles from the back side and then cut out the holes from the front. Tip: You can poke the 10mm LED through the holes from the front side to make the edges nice and smooth. Tip: You can poke the 10mm LED through the holes from the front side to make the edges nice and smooth.

    • To cut the holes, we used a craft knife to mark the circles from the back side and then cut out the holes from the front.

    • Tip: You can poke the 10mm LED through the holes from the front side to make the edges nice and smooth.

  4. Position the bit board so that Pins 9-13 are facing the holes. Glue LEGO in place, making sure that the holes for pins 9, 10, 12, 13, and GND have a LEGO peg inside them. The other LEGO are just for support. Glue LEGO in place, making sure that the holes for pins 9, 10, 12, 13, and GND have a LEGO peg inside them. The other LEGO are just for support.

    • Position the bit board so that Pins 9-13 are facing the holes.

    • Glue LEGO in place, making sure that the holes for pins 9, 10, 12, 13, and GND have a LEGO peg inside them. The other LEGO are just for support.

  5. Make note of the shorter, negative leg of the LED. Bend the legs open and flat.

    • Make note of the shorter, negative leg of the LED.

    • Bend the legs open and flat.

    • Place the LEDs in the holes with the negative legs facing away from the bit board.

  6. Fold a piece of Maker Tape around the LED legs as shown. Connect a piece of Maker Tape to the Ground Pin and run it across the ground leg of all 4 LEDs. Add extra Maker Tape to secure it. Connect each positive leg of the LEDs to pins 9, 10, 12, and 13. Don't use Pin 11 as it is reserved for another process on the micro:bit.

    • Fold a piece of Maker Tape around the LED legs as shown.

    • Connect a piece of Maker Tape to the Ground Pin and run it across the ground leg of all 4 LEDs. Add extra Maker Tape to secure it.

    • Connect each positive leg of the LEDs to pins 9, 10, 12, and 13. Don't use Pin 11 as it is reserved for another process on the micro:bit.

  7. Insert the micro:bit into the bit board.

    • Insert the micro:bit into the bit board.

  8. Download code to the micro:bit, available here.

    • Download code to the micro:bit, available here.

    • This code will create an LED animation of the LEDs blinking in order every 1-4 seconds. In addition, one of the LEDs blinks quickly every 10 seconds to give it a very "robot is computing" vibe.

  9. Use the ring templates to add paper details. Use the ring templates to add paper details. Use the ring templates to add paper details.

    • Use the ring templates to add paper details.

  10. Add a battery pack to make it portable.

    • Add a battery pack to make it portable.

    • We also added clear packing tape over the entire circuit. When wearing a costume, it's easy to snag a loose piece of Maker Tape, so this is a good way to secure it while still being able to see the circuit.

  11. In our Sally Servo costume, we ran the traces all the way from the front to the back of the costume. This gave us the chance to place the micro:bit in a comfortable spot for the wearer.

    • In our Sally Servo costume, we ran the traces all the way from the front to the back of the costume. This gave us the chance to place the micro:bit in a comfortable spot for the wearer.

  12. Continue to build your Really Robotic Robot costume! For more, view these guides:
Finish Line

Attached Documents

Author

with 2 other contributors

Natasha Dzurny

Member since: 08/26/2019

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