1. What components are included in the Robot kit?

The kit includes a wheeled chassis, a light sensor, two line sensors, a touch sensor, a distance sensor and a LED light. The kit also includes an empty sensor or blank module, of which you can build your own sensor or use it as spare parts. A USB cable is also included in the package.

3. How is the Robot kit powered?

The robot can be powered either through the computer’s USB port or using batteries or any other external power source. For external power, we recommend using rechargeable batteries to save the environment and your money. You can supply external power through the battery terminals (battery size PP3) or the VIN and GND connector pins. The input voltage range is: MIN 5V, MAX 9V. Do not exceed this limit.

Simply insert the battery in the housing located on top of the robot (see picture in question 1).

5. What are the Robot kit’s sensors?

The sensors are detachable pieces or Robot kit hardware that are used to collect and send information between the Robot and the outside world. There are five (5) kinds of sensors in the package and a LED light:

1. Touch sensor. Lets the robot know if a button is pressed or not at the end of the sensor.

2. Light sensor. Lets the robot know how much light is coming into the sensor. Can be used to follow a light source for example.

3. Distance sensor. Lets the robot know if there is a solid object within about 0 – 20 cm distance in front of the sensor by sending and receiving infrared light. Can be used to avoid walls for example.

4. Line sensor. Lets the robot know about lightness differences in the ground using the same technique as the distance sensor. Can be used to follow a dark line on white surface for example.

5. LED light. A light emitting diode that the robot can switch on and off. This is the only sensor that has an output function instead of feeding information into the robot.

6. Empty sensor. You can design and assemble this sensor yourself. It can virtually be anything you can think of. Use the ANALOG line for inputting a voltage (0 – 5V) for the robot to read and the DIGITAL line to output or input a 5V digital signal (max output current 40 mA).

The sensors are attached to the Robot by small magnets and can easily be changed in and out. Sensor modules are magnetic-mount, allowing fast and easy reconfiguration and customization of the robot. Keep the contact pads clean by wiping them from time to time with a moist cloth or an alcohol based cleaning agents.

7. How do I connect the Robot kit to a computer?

The Robot kit and a computer can communicate either via a wired connection (USB cable) or wirelessly (Bluetooth connection). So far, the Robot kit communication with a tablet or a smartphone is possible via Bluetooth only. If you want to use the Bluetooth connection, you have to power the Robot from a battery and connect the Robot to your computer/tablet/phone as a Bluetooth device.

After connecting the Robot kit to a computer/tablet/phone, start the RobboScratch visual programming environment — the Robot will automatically connect to the program. You might need to connect Robot kit via control panel (right bottom corner for Windows/right top for Mac) if you first started the software and then connected robot via USB.

See troubleshooting if you have problems connecting to the Robot.

Note: if you work with Robot kit in wired mode and you still have battery attached to the chassis, robot automatically switches off power consumption from the battery and starts using USB power. Bluetooth also automatically switches off during wired mode.

Note: you need to push the POWER ON/OFF button to start the Robot when using batteries. Remember to switch the Robot off while not operating it to save batteries.

11. What is the Robot kit able to do?

The Robot kit can handle almost any task! It is able to participate in a car race, to seek a way out of a maze, to travel along a complex route, etc. Watch our videos for inspiration. Only your imagination is the limit!

13. Why does the use of rechargeable batteries make the wheels of the Robot kit rotate faster?

The USB port supplies the 5V power voltage for the peripheral devices, while the nine-volt (6F22) battery gives up to 9V which makes the wheel run faster. See powering options.