Cutebot & Cutebot Pro Two ready to roll robots from Elecfreaks 7 October 2023 By Kevin McAleer Share this article on Table of Contents CutebotCutebot FeaturesWhats in the boxUser instructionsMicroPythonC++PricePico:edProsConsCutebot ProCutebot Pro Features Tags cutebot elecfreaks microbit micropython
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.