The best way to learn is by doing.
See how many challenges you can complete with your DashBot:
Print your checklist
The Robot Olympics are here and your DashBot wants to win gold!
DashBot must race to the finish line as fast as he can.
Make DashBot go full speed forward.
He doesn't need to stop, just run!
This challenge can be done in normal mBlock Live mode
with the USB cable connected to your laptop.
(Don't worry, you will set DashBot Free in later challenges)
Show Hint
| D5 | D6 | Motor A | D5 | D6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | LOW | Stopped | 0 | 0 |
| LOW | HIGH | Backward | 0 | 1 |
| HIGH | LOW | Forward | 1 | 0 |
| HIGH | HIGH | Stopped | 1 | 1 |
See the DriverBlock for more information
Show Solution
You need to make the left and right motors both go forward
This should make your DashBot go full speed forward
If one (or both) motors go backward then you need to reverse the motor wires
(where they connect to the DriverBlock)
Make DashBot Run backward
Show Solution
DashBot has his L plates, you need to teach him how to drive.
He has 8 different ways he can drive.
This challenge must be done in mBlock Live mode
with the USB cable connected to your laptop.
(Don't worry, you will set DashBot Free in the next challenge)
Can you make all 8 arrows work?
Click the picture to download
Note: The program isn't complete, you need to make it work.
Show HintThis should make your DashBot go full speed forward
Make the arrow keys on your keyboard drive your Dashbot
Make him only move as long as you're holding the key (Hint: Stop when the key is released)
Click the picture to download
A young girl slipped over the edge of a cliff!
She is hanging on with just her fingers.
DashBot must rescue her!
Get DashBot as close to the edge of the "cliff" (a.k.a table) as you can with out going over!
This challenge must be done in Arduino mode
with no cables connected from DashBot to your laptop.
Start DashBot in the same place each time.
Get your timing perfect (no sensors needed).
You need to get your timing perfect, you can use decimals (not just whole numbers):
DashBot loves to spin in circles, and
DashBot wants to answer all your questions.
Have DashBot spin clockwise first then counter-clockwise, before moving forward
DashBot wants to be a star Cricket player.
Help DashBot score 2 runs!
Teach him to run to the wicket, turn around and come back.
Note: Cricket players do not run backward!
DashBot needs to turn around, not run backwards.
There is a hole in the middle of the road and DashBot doesn't want to fall in.
Can you help him go around it and keep going?
DashBot loves shapes.
Help him draw a square.
Can you find a way to attach a marker or pen to DashBot so he can draw?
Show HintUse a Repeat block
Try changing your program to make a:
DashBot wants to trick the humans. He wants to make some crop circles and pretend aliens did it.
Help DashBot make a small, medium, and large circle.
You will need both wheels turning, but at different speeds
DashBot is feeling lost. Can you help get through a simple maze?
Draw or build a very simple maze (that only requires 2 turns to get out).
DashBot wants to be a safe driver.
He needs to learn to indicate (signal) that he wants to change lanes.
Add a BlinkBlock to DashBot's left side,
make it blink 5 times before he turns left.
Use a Repeat block
Bonus
Add a second BlinkBlock to your DashBot (on his right side).
Make him signal both directions before turning that way.
DashBot is ready to be a police officer. Help him pull bad drivers over by blinking 2 BlinkBlocks quickly back and forth.
DashBot wants to show off his best dance moves.
Invent a dance for him
Add some lights and sounds
DashBot wants to audition for Robot's Got Talent and needs to practice his singing.
His favourite song is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, can you help him learn to sing it?
You can test the song in mBlock mode
- but you need to place a wait block after each note that is as long as the note
In Arduino mode you should change all the waits to a very short time (50ms = 0.05s)
(You can remove all the waits in Arduino mode, but the notes start to blend together)
Create a different song
See the BeepBlock for more songs to try
DashBot wants to be a DJ.
Create a DJ Mixing table for him.
As you move your hand back and forth in front of the BatBlock it should control the sounds from the BeepBlock.
Show HintYou will want to multiply your BatBlock sensor's readings to get frequencies high enough to hear.
At a "magic" distance make DashBot play a few notes of a real song.
DashBot has decided he wants a job as a security robot to guard your room.
Program DashBot to beep when something moves in front of him.
Ignore readings that are too big or too small
DashBot isn’t paying attention to where he is going.
Sometimes he walks into walls and it hurts.
Help DashBot stop before he hits a wall.
You will need to turn on DashBot’s Obstacle Detection at the start of your program.
DashBot is afraid of us big humans.
DashBot must back up a little each time your hand gets too close.
You will need to turn on DashBot’s Obstacle Detection at the start of your program. Also make sure you use a loop.
DashBot loves humans and wants to follow you anywhere you go. Lead him using your hand.
Using obstacle detection you can tell if your hand is in the front, left, or right. You will need 3 If icons.
Can you trap poor DashBot inside a "cage"?
DashBot will drive forward until he sees a wall, then turn around and keep going.
Adjust the distance so DashBot doesn't hit the wall before he stops.
(15cm is a good starting)
Show Solution
Click on the picture to download the solution
DashBot wants to be Mario, and play Balloon Battle.
Try to pop each other's balloons -
The last player left with an unpopped balloon wins!
Every player will have 3 balloons tied to them.
The balloons will be attached to the very back in the middle.
Your job is to design DashBot's "weapons" - to pop the balloons of the other players.
Your Mario Kart must be able to fit inside a 30cm x 30cm x 30cm box.
You cannot cover or protect your balloons with anything.
Materials:
See the solution to the Think Inside the Box challenge for a good place to start.
Show HintDo you want to play offensive or defensive?
You can detect other DashBots in front of you, but you can choose if you rush forward to attack, or back away and try to hide.
Show Hint
Try adding a special attack move:
Maybe spinning for a couple of seconds
or moving straight forward and backward 2 or 3 times quickly
Try adding your move after the GoForward Block
or in the empty else
Both will do different things, try them both out.
You will need to upload again everytime you make a change.
Show Hint
If your DashBot doesn't drive very straight, you can adjust how much power goes to each wheel.
It will never be perfect, but you can improve it a little.
If he slowly turns to the right it means you need to slow down the left wheel.
If he slowly turns to the left it means you need to slow down the right wheel.
Adjust the two 255 numbers for the motor you need to slow down.
Try lowering the number 10 or 20 at a time.
You will need to upload again everytime you make a change.
DashBot needs to learn to stop before crossing a street.
DashBot should drive forward until he finds the “edge of the road” (a black line) and then he should stop.
Show Hint
Have DashBot wait a few seconds before he starts moving forward
Then have him wait until he detects the line
You will need to adjust the number 300 to the right value for the line you are detecting
You will also need to change the greater-than (>) to a less-than (<) depending on the color of the line (white on black vs black on white)
Finally add the commands to make DashBot stop after he has waited for the line
Show Solution
(This is for a black line on a white surface)
DashBot wants to join the circus, but first you must train him to stay inside a ring.
Using DashBot’s LineBlock help him detect the edge of the ring and turn around before he drives out of the ring.
Show Hint
To stay in the ring you need to:
Move forward until you detect a line
Backup
Turn around (about 180 degrees)
The "wait until" block needs to go inside the forever along with some other blocks that make DashBot move
Show Solution
(This is for a black ring on a white surface)
Have DashBot count the number of times he “bounces” off the edge of the ring.
When he reaches 10 times, have him stop his performance.
DashBot is ready to Sumo wrestle.
To win he must knock his opponent out of the ring.
Start with the Center Ring program, then use the BatBlock to look for DashBot's opponent, when you see him - charge ahead full speed!
DashBot likes lines.
He likes to follow them to see where they go.
Program DashBot to follow a line.
Dashbot will wiggle along the edge of the line.
If you detect a black line turn one way
If you detect white turn the other way
DashBot likes to count.
Give him some black lines to count (link a giant barcode).
Have him drive for 1 second across all your lines,
and then have him flash (and beep) the total number he counted.
You need to wait for the LightBlock sense dark, and then light again.
This will be one line.
Cockroaches run away when they see light. DashBot thinks he is a cockroach, help him run when he sees a bright light.
You will need to use a Read Analog Pin block.
You will also need a loop to check your light brightness.
DashBot loved being a guard robot. He now wants to keep your socks safe. Place DashBot in your sock drawer. Program DashBot so he beeps forever when the drawer is opened and he detects light.
You will need to use a Read Analog Pin block.
You will also need a loop to check your light brightness.
DashBot likes pretty lights. Help him drive toward the light.
Create two variables. Use one for left light level, the other for right.
Subtract them, and use the result to decide which direction to turn.
DashBot wants to try being an automatic light.
Help him learn how to turn on his "headlights" (BlinkBlocks) when you clap.
DashBot enjoys races. So far he has always needed his coach to tell him when to start running. He is now ready to run a race on his own.
Teach DashBot to wait until he hears the “starting gun” (clap), then start running.
Have DashBot end the race (stop running) when he crosses the finish line (black line).
DashBot wants to play Marco Polo. Blind-fold him (Remove BatBlock), so he can only use his EarBlocks.
Help him drive toward the sound.
Create two variables. Use one for left sound level, the other for right.
Subtract them, and use the result to decide which direction to turn.
DashBot is like a dog. He will listen to your commands if you train him well.
Make DashBot drive forward when he detects a clap.
DashBot is feeling lazy. You need to give him a little poke to help him move.
Every time you press the ButtonBlock button he should move forward for 1 second.
DashBot needs to recue another hiker. This one is trapped on the other side of a canyon!
Use your Lego and some string to find a way to get DashBot across the “canyon”.
Show DashBot the way to go. Point which way you want him to go. Press the button to memorize this direction. Then clap or shout go!
DashBot wants to practise addition. Give him two numbers (using the TV remote), then ask him to add them. He can give his answer by flashing his LEDs the right number of times.
DashBot is guarding top secret information. The only way to unlock him is to enter the secret 2-digit password using the TV remote.
If you enter the correct PIN have DashBot make a happy beep, otherwise have him make an unhappy beep.
DashBot has been hired to help with a new mining project on the moon.
He must:
The conveyor belt robot can be replaced with a human astronaut if you do not have an extra DashBot.
DashBot wants to be a knight. The princess has asked him to get-back her crown which was stolen by an evil dragon.
Sir DashBot must:
Don’t forget to add a small delay after DashBot stops before you check for noise, otherwise he will detect his own motor noise.
DashBot would like try being a crane.
Turn him in a Lego crane. Then use him to pick up a block.
Use gears to increase the load DashBot can raise.
DashBot is ready to start building. Using 2 DashBots build a crane that can drive around.
Pick up a block with the Lego crane. Move it, then put it down.
The DashBots will need to communicate with each other to work together.
DashBot is ready to start building. Using 2 DashBots build a crane that can drive around. Build a 2-block-high tower using a Lego crane.
Pick up a block with the Lego crane. Move it, then put it down. Return to get the next block, pick it up and place it on top of the last one.