mBlock control for ALL modules

#1

I’ve just started playing with the mCore board that came with the mBot kit. As this is for my kids who already know scratch, I want to use mBlock exclusively. However, only a few electronic modules are supported. For instance, I’d like to be able to light up the RGB Strip via the RJ25 module, or access the Accelerometer or even the 4 button module.

Is Makeblock working on adding support for their existing modules in mBlock for both the bCore/mBot AND the Orion boards? I’d like to see mBlock support for each module as it comes out. That goes for the components that plug into the RJ25 module like the RGB Strip (The temperature probe strangely IS supported).

The Makeblock system is amazing and just what I’m looking for as a parent who wants to teach my kids robotics and STEM skills. I’m hoping that this company continues to release great products and extends mBlock support to them. What do other forum readers think?

#2

From what I’ve seen, I think the release of 2.20 should allow this to happen.

Every mBlock entity is a wrapper around the Arduino function. mBlock 2.20 allows users to edit or create new Extensions, which should mean that any sensor can be wrapped up and brought into mBlock.

Obviously, I’d like to see Makeblock take the lead and release a wider standard Extension set that covers all of their sensors. But the Extension interface should allow us to take standard Arduino functions like map() and make those available within mBlock as well.

–andrew