Line follower array not supported in scratch?

#5

Hi,
thanks for the replies. But I suspect apart from abdb, you are all talking about the (“normal”) line follower, while I am talking about the line follower array. I would expect more than values 0-3 as output - rather something like 2^6 different values from the 6 sensors, i.e. values 0-31.
Using it from mBlock, the array always returns “3” - no matter what the status of the LEDs on the array is.
I also tried it from a Raspberry (with the pi4j library) via GPIO and the makeblock UNO shield, with no success either. Even tried the I2C variant from pi4j for analog output, and failed as well (potentially because I’m a programmer, electronics is not exactly my strength).

Does anyone have a working example for a line follower array in mBlock, or even better in Java?

Thanks and regards,
Andreas

#6

Hi Andreas_b,

Thanks for your correction. The line follower array only supports Arduino IDE programming and doesn’t support by the mBlock graphical programming.

#7

Ah, you are correct. Is that a new product because I hadn’t seen it before! Need to order a few to make more complex maze solving robots! :slight_smile:

@tec_support, does the line follower array work with all of the kits (mBot, mBot Ranger, Ultimate Robotics Kit, Starter Robot Kit)?

#8

Hi Charles,

Yes, the line follower array work with all the makeblock main board like mCore, me Orion, me Auriga…,while you need program yourself with the Arduino software, it doesn’t support the mBlock graphical programming. It supports the native Arduino programming.

#9

The sample program from the product page (http://download.makeblock.com/Modules/Me%20Line%20Follower%20Array/Sample_program.ino) works, but I had to change the DataPin to 13 when plugged into Orion port #3 (to match the Arduino data pin for port #3). There isn’t any documentation or comments in the sample program, but the array uses unibus to transmit data. The getValue() method returns an 8-bit int where the right-most 6 bits correspond to the values of the individual sensors on the array. For example, B110011 would be returned if the two middle sensors were over a black line, and the four other sensors (two on each side) were on a light background.

If anyone has a good line-follower program using the array I’d love to see it.

Also, are there any plans to create a “block” for this for mBlock?

#10

Hi,
I think like you: I’d love to see a good line-follower program using Me Line Follower Array.
In addition, it would be a very good idea to create a block in mBlock.
It is difficult for me to understand the Sample_program.ino and I would need more information.
Can anybody help me?

Regards,

Susana

How to write code to control line follower sensor modules with 5 sensors?
#11

FYI, a teacher wrote a mblock extension for the Linefollower Array.
Select Extension/Manage Extensions to find and install that extension.

#12

Any link, please?

#13

Mblock extension for line follower array not supported in scratch (mblock IDE). Its work on Mbot (arduino mode).
abdb wrote: The getValue() method returns an 8-bit int where the right-most 6 bits correspond to the values of the individual sensors on the array. For example, B110011 would be returned if the two middle sensors were over a black line, and the four other sensors (two on each side) were on a light background.
Based on this I was made simple program for mbot:

#14

Thanks!

It is fantastic!!!

Regards,

Susana

#15

Hi,

This Christmas came the line Follower Array module. I programmed it with mBot using its extension and… cool…I’m happy.
It is a pity that this module can not be used with the Ranger. Perhaps, the Makeblock house could modify the array extension of the mCore board to the Auriga board. That would be fantastic!

Regards,

Susana

#16

My son has to make a line following robot for school. He’s using the Mblock Auriga and we’ve got the Me Follower Array. We’ve got the extension for the Array, but it’s only supporting Port 1-4 while with the auriga, we have to use port 6 till 10. Haw can we do this.

#17

Hi, I can not manage to make it running in mBlock with that extension. I use mCore but all I get from follower array is 0. I have managed to make it up and running in Arduino IDE. Please help. I need to have it in mBlock if possible also. I have tried your example from the picture but something must be wrong here. Thanks. Oldrich

#18

Do you have the coding for the line follower with the array in Arduino? We always get stuck to upload it to the Ma Aguira board

#19

Here’s a link to an extension repository that has the code. You will likely have to make modifications to get it to work with the Auriga board.

#20

I think that We’ve got this extension added. If we try it in mblock, we can’t change the port to 6 till 9. If we try do do something in arduino with it. It disconnect the USB connection immediately, when we start to upload.

#21

Hi tommyvandenbempt,

You can find the example Arduino program for line follower array on the official website.

blob.jpg923x594 97.6 KB

When you use the line follower array with Me Auriga board, you need figure out the pins for each RJ25 Port on Auriga board corresponding to which pins on Arduino Mega board, then you can modify the pin setting on the example program and you can use the line follower array with Auriga board.
For further program, you may need figure it out by yourself.

#22

Hi everybody!
We are interested in knowing the code in Mblock for the Simple ME LINE FOLLOWER, not in Arduino.
Is there any extension block we could use?
I mean año extension block in Mblock as the one published before for the ME LINE FOLLOWER ARRAY.

Thank you for your help!

#23

There is a link to an extension further up in this thread. :slight_smile:

#24

Yes, I know, but it is for the ARRAY.
I just have the simple me LINE FOLLOWER .

This is the one Imam asking an extension for.