FIELD TESTwith one small exception in the instructions: when
in the online MakeCode programming environment,
the blocks for controlling servos are listed under the
‘pins’ section, which took us a while to discover,
having not used servos on the micro:bit before.
Once the servos are calibrated, the instructions
move on to building up the chassis, which is
accurately laser-cut out of green and white plastics.
Everything fits together perfectly, and it uses the
technique of nuts being captured in laser-cut spaces
for bolts to thread into. This creates nice accurate
joints in the chassis, but it can be quite fiddly to
get the nuts held in place while holding loose
components in the right position. We found using
a small piece of masking tape to help keep the
Once the servos are calibrated,
the instructions move on to
building up the chassis”
”
VERDICT
A great kit,
suitable for
beginners to both
robotics and
programming
micro:bits.
Younger builders
might need a little
help with
assembly, but it’s
a great-quality kit.8 / 10
inserted nut in place
can act as a very
useful third hand.
As we assembled
the chassis, we
realised that there
are mounting points
and holes in the
chassis that aren’t
utilised. One set of
holes align and allow a pen or pencil to be inserted
all the way through the robot to the floor below, and
this means you can play at programming the :MOVE
mini to draw shapes. Other holes and mount points
are there for use by a range of additional add-on kits
that can be bought to expand the robot’s capabilities.
These include things like a bulldozer attachment with
a lifting shovel; there are also sensor add-on kits to
turn the robot into a line follower and more.
Having finished the assembly of the :MOVE
mini, it feels pretty sturdy in hand and our unit
worked well, with the calibration of the servos being
accurate so that both wheels turned at the same
rate, meaning it would travel in a straight line when
instructed to do so. While this is definitely a robot for
smooth surfaces and not an ‘off-roader’, it worked
well on a smooth carpet, lino, and wooden floors. At
the end of the instruction manual, there are links and
a QR code to take you to more example code and
applications for the robot. Next on our list is to use
another micro:bit as a radio control unit so we can
drive it remotely, but it’s nice to see that there are
lots of examples online of things people have done
with theirs.Left
Assembly is
straightforward, with
a few steps being a
little fiddlyLeft
We like how the
build instructions get
you programming
throughout the
build. Here, we are
testing the board is
connected correctly,
and learning how
to program the
RGB LED lights
Below
The kit arrives in a
well-presented box