When the mBot connects to the laptop via the USB cable (in the mBlock software), the bot makes 3 tones and lights up in several places. However, when I click on move commands in mBlock, the motors won’t turn. What am I missing? When I first started using the bot yesterday, the wheels would move but only if I got them started first and then it moved very slowly. I’ve updated the firmware but not sure what to do next.
Out of the Box mBot - Wheel motors won't turn
Matthew
#2
Hi @scombs.
mBlock is a programming environment. To get the robot running through mBlock, you need to write a program (by dragging and dropping blocks into the programming area (the right hand side). Make sure you have installed Arduino Drivers (under the Connect menu). If you start a program with the “When ‘Green Flag’ Clicked” block (under the Events Script) the program will run from the mBlock environment. You can also upload the program to the mBot’s mCore board. In this case, start a program with the “mBot Program” block (under the Robots Script).
If you don’t wish to jump into the programming side straight away, the mBot has a program with 3 different modes pre-loaded. The mBot is in mode 1 by default when turned on. You can change modes by selecting the mode on the IR remote control (A - 1, B - 2, C - 3) or by pressing the on-board push button to scroll through. The first mode is remote control where you can use the IR remote control or the cursor keys to control the robot. The second mode is object avoidance and the thrid mode is line following.
If you have the Bluetooth version of the mBot, another option is to download Makeblock App HD onto your phone or tablet. This will allow you to use a pre-loaded program to control the robot and will also allow you to amend the program to make any changes you like.
Hope that helps.