🚗 Micro:bit Vehicle

Build a remote-controlled vehicle powered by Micro:bit radio

Overview

Design, build, and drive a motor-controlled vehicle using a Micro:bit with a motor driver board. A second Micro:bit acts as a wireless remote control via radio.

🧰 Kit List

  • BBC Micro:bit V2 (x2 per group)
  • Motor driver board (e.g. Kitronik :move or L298N)
  • DC motors (x2) with wheels
  • Chassis kit or cardboard/3D-printed base
  • Battery pack (4xAA for motors)
  • Micro USB cables
  • Jumper wires
  • Caster wheel or ball bearing
  • Optional: ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04) for obstacle avoidance
  • Optional: line-following sensors

🎓 What You Will Learn

  • How DC motors work and why they need driver circuits
  • H-bridge motor driver concept
  • PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for speed control
  • Radio-based remote control programming
  • Accelerometer input for tilt-steering
  • Engineering design: weight distribution, turning radius
  • Iterative testing and debugging

🌐 Cross-Curricular Links

  • Science: Forces, friction, acceleration, circuits, energy
  • Maths: Speed/distance/time, angles of turn, PWM duty cycle %
  • DT: Chassis design, materials selection, prototyping
  • English: Instructional writing for baton pass guide
  • PE: Spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination (driving)

🛠 Key Skills

  • MakeCode / MicroPython motor control
  • Wiring and circuit assembly
  • Mechanical design and construction
  • Systematic debugging (is it code or wiring?)
  • Collaboration and peer teaching

Projects

From spinning a motor to autonomous navigation.

Project 1: Motor Basics

KS3

Connect a motor to the driver board and control it from the Micro:bit. Forward, backward, stop. Understand the wiring and why a driver board is needed.

Project 2: Build the Chassis

KS3

Assemble the vehicle chassis. Mount motors, wheels, battery pack, and Micro:bit. Consider weight distribution and turning.

Project 3: Remote Control

KS3 / KS4

Program a second Micro:bit as a remote. Use button presses or accelerometer tilt to send commands via radio. The vehicle responds to forward, back, left, right.

Project 4: Speed Control

KS4

Implement PWM speed control. Map the tilt angle of the remote to motor speed. Smooth acceleration and deceleration.

Project 5: Obstacle Avoidance

Stretch

Add an ultrasonic sensor. The vehicle stops or turns when it detects an obstacle. Combine manual and autonomous modes.

Project 6: Line Follower

Stretch

Add line-following sensors. Program the vehicle to follow a track autonomously. Time trials against other groups.

Baton Pass Checklist

Before you hand over to the next group:

  • Completed your digital project card with photos/videos
  • Vehicle drives forward, backward, left, right
  • Remote control working reliably
  • Wiring diagram or annotated photo
  • Code saved and backed up
  • Common problems documented (e.g. motor wiring direction)
  • 5-minute demo prepared for next group