Introduction
You can build a simple remote control for your Rover using a second micro:bit and the battery pack that came with it.
If you want a more robust remote check out our Rover Thumbstick Remote.
Tools
Parts
Video Overview
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If you've built the Rover Main Body and you have another micro:bit handy it's easy to add remote control to your Rover.
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We'll load new code onto the Rover's micro:bit so it can act as a receiver, and we'll load code onto the second micro:bit so it can work as a transmitter.
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This is going to be a very basic remote control, so besides a micro:bit all you'll need is the battery pack that was included with your micro:bit
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Note that the battery pack used with the Bit Board will not plug directly into a micro:bit on its own - it will only plug into a Bit Board.
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We need to be able to make the Rover go forward, backwards, and turn left and right, so we need to send the corresponding commands for those four things.
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Since the micro:bit only has two buttons we'll instead use the built-in accelerometer to determine the rotation of the micro:bit and use that as our input.
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Our remote will make the Rover go forward when tilted forward, and go backwards when tilted backwards.
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We'll use the two buttons to turn left and turn right. (Turning will only take affect when the remote it tilted forward or backwards.)
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If you've never used a micro:bit before you'll want to check out this guide: Bit Board V2 Setup and Use
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We're going to load the following code for our Rover Simple Remote RX program: https://makecode.microbit.org/_LUR6P29A4...
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Once you load the code it won't do anything. Since the code turns the micro:bit into a receiver it will wait until a transmitter sends data before it does anything.
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If you look at this code you'll see a number of functions; goForward, goBackward, turnLeft, turnRight, stopMoving, as well as two more, gripperOpen and GripperClose.
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Each function is called when the receiver gets a specific number sent from the transmitter.
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The RX stands for "Receiver". For the code we'll load onto the second micro:but you'll see TX which stands for "Transmitter".
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Let's load the code onto the second micro:bit so it can function as a transmitter and send control signals to the micro:bit on the Rover.
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Load the following code: Rover Simple Remote TX program: https://makecode.microbit.org/_Ago3tAVxR...
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If you've got the Rover you programmed in the previous step nearby make sure it isn't powered on when you load the code on your transmitter or it may roll away unexpectedly!
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Once you've got code loaded on both micro:bits you can test using the remote control with your Rover.
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Tilt the "Remote" micro:bit forward and your Rover should roll forward. Tilt it backwards and the Rover should roll backwards.
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To turn left, press the A button while tilting forward. To turn right press the B button while tilting forward. (You can also press A or B when tilting backwards!)
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We've added one more surprise to our remote. If you built the Rover Gripper you can control it with the remote by press the A and B buttons at the same time.
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The Gripper will toggle between opened and closed with each press of the A and B buttons. The code keeps track of the position of the gripper. (You should start with the Gripper in the open position.)
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Using the remote can take a bit practice, but it's a great minimal way to add remote control capabilities to the Rover.
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Note that the gripper will only be activated when the Rover is not moving.
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If you find holding the micro:bit and battery pack a little awkward, we've designed a 3D printed holder for you. Check out the: micro:bit Holder
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