Cutebot

Cutebot is a small programmable robot, based on the Pico:Ed or Micro:bit microcontroller. It can be programmed in MicroPython, Microblocks and C++.

Cutebot Features

Cutebot has the following features:

• Dual line following sensors
• 2 motors
• 2 RGB LED user programmable ‘headlights’
• IR sensor
• Ultrasonic rangefinder for avoiding obstacles or following them!
• Ambient Chassis lights
• Headers for expansion and access to the I2C bus and GPIOs
• Battery box for 3 AAA batteries

Whats in the box

The Cutebot kit contains everything you need to get started (apart from 3 AAA batteries). The box contains:

• The Cutebot robot
• A MicroUSB cable for programming the robot
• An AAA battery box and sticky pad for attaching it to the robot
• An ultrasonic range finder for measuring distance and detecting objects in front of the robot
• A Pico:ed microcontroller board for controlling the robot
• User Instructions
• A line following sheet; the robot can follow the black line drawn on the sheet

User instructions

The guide that comes with the kit has a couple of easy examples (they call then cases, as in use-cases) to get you started:

• Case 01: Move Forward or Reverse at the Full Speed
• Case 02: Speed Up Gradually
• Case 03: Dance in Figure-of-eight
• Case 04: Run at Random
• Case 05: Automatic Headlights
• Case 06: Steering&Clearance Lamps
• Case 07: Fall-arrest Cutebot
• Case 08: Run Along the Black Line
• Case 09: Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance
• Case 10: Car Following with A Fixed Distance
• Case 11: micro:bit Remote Control
• Case 12: Remote Control the Cutebot with micro:bit Accelerometer
• Case 13: Remote Control with Joystick:bit
• Case 14: IR Remote Control Car
• Case 15: Seeking the Light

You can access the examples here: https://www.elecfreaks.com/learn-en/microbitKit/smart_cutebot/index.html

MicroPython

Micro:bit Makemode provides an web-based environment for coding in MicroPython.

C++

For the more experienced and hardcore programmer, the Pico:ed can be programmed in C++. The main benefit of this is the speed of execution of code, and the smaller code size on board. The main disadvantage is that C++ can be quite complicated and intimidating for beginners, and requires experience and knowledge to do the most basic of things.

Price

The price for the Cutebot:

• with the pico:ed - $47.90
• without the pico:ed - $34.90

Pico:ed

The Pico:ed is a microcontroller, similiar in form factor to the BBC Micro:Bit. Unlike the Micro:Bit, the Pico:Ed has a Raspberry Pi RP2040 as the main processor, bringing all the rich features and software support for that chip.

The pico:ed is priced around $12.90.

Pros

• Small, solid construction
• Very easy to setup and start programming
• Lots of features for the price
• Price
• Compatibility - Accessories & Plugins available
• Expandability - easy to add lego to it

Cons

• I had a few problem getting the software to work initially (CircuitPython libraries)

Cutebot Pro

Elecgreaks have recently (2023) released the Cutebot Pro, a more higher specification version of the original cutebot reviewed earlier in the year.

Cutebot Pro Features

• 18650 Battery holder
• 2 pairs of line sensors
• Larger base
• Motors with encoders for accurate positioning

The 18650 battery is a great addition to the Cutebot Pro, it can also be charged from within the robot too.