No more DRAW A CIRCLE

Bitty Data Logger users will probably have played with the micro:bit's magnetometer (AKA digital compass) at some point, as will many other micro:bit users, with or without the involvement of Bluetooth.

The magnetometer needs to be calibrated in the environment in which it is to be used, for accurate data to be acquired from it. Originally, simply including the MakeCode "Bluetooth magnetometer service" block was enough to both make the magnetometer data available over Bluetooth *and* initiate the calibration procedure automatically when the micro:bit code started. If you've seen this happen, you'll know that the old procedure starts with the text "DRAW A CIRCLE" scrolling across the micro:bit screen. A single LED then appears and by rotating the microbit with its edge facing upwards, you light each LED on the outer edge of the display. Once a complete "circle" has been drawn, calibration is complete and your micro:bit will continue starting up.

Here's a very simple MakeCode project that could be used with Bitty Data Logger to log magnetometer data:

Things changed in the latest release of the micro:bit firmware (known as the DAL). Now, calibration does not happen automatically. To calibrate your micro:bit's magnetometer you must now explicitly request this in code. There's a block available for just this purpose so you could, for example initiate magnetometer calibration when button A is pressed, like this:

This change may affect Bitty Data Logger users. Magnetometer data will not stream into the micro:bit, even with the right code on the micro:bit until you have calibrated it. Luckily it's possible to initiate calibration from within the Settings screen of Bitty Data Logger:

That's it! Happy data logging!

GiggleBot and Bitty Controller

GiggleBot is a wheeled "bot" from Dexter Industries which you control with a BBC micro:bit.

There are quite a few bots available for micro:bit enthusiasts now, but this one does have a certain je ne sais qoi. Perhaps it's the integral line following and light level sensors or maybe it's the neopixels mounted on its surface. Or maybe it's the expansion possibilities, with multiple points to connect external sensors and dedicated connectors for up to two servos. Or perhaps its the slot through which you can drop a marker pen so that your GiggleBot can draw as you drive. Either way, GiggleBot is full featured, full of potential for some very exciting educational projects and on the whole, tres, tres cool. Oui. Le GiggleBot, c'est bon (with apologies to French speakers everywhere!).

It's also a tough little bot. I drove mine right off the top of a table and it landing with a sickening "crunch" on a hard, wooden floor. Not a problem. GiggleBot shrugged off the impact and got right back to work.

And giggling GiggleBots, Batman! GiggleBot has the best name too :-)

But enough of my thoughts on GiggleBot, already. What's this?

GiggleBot and Bitty Controller work together!

"Really? Oh wow!" I hear you say! Well, yes kind reader, it is indeed true. With the right code on your micro:bit, you can use the GiggleBot's I²C interface to take full control, driving your GiggleBot from your phone using the Bitty Controller app or web browser using BittyWeb. You can also collect sensor data and display it on Bitty Controller's enhanced touchpad controller UI.

C'est magnifique! And it really is :-)


Here's a video demonstration for your viewing pleasure.



You'll find code and information about using Bitty Controller with a GiggleBot right here.

And more information on GiggleBot itself at https://www.gigglebot.io/

Bitty Event Monitor V1.0 now available

BittyWeb now has a new application called Bitty Event Monitor.

Monitor anything you like using your micro:bit and report significant events to this BittyWeb application and it will indicate whatever is going on with the colour and text that you choose. Suitable for a huge range of classroom and maker projects, you could monitor temperature bands, atmospheric pressure ranges or motion. If you can measure it on a micro:bit using the right code, you can report different states to Bitty Event Monitor for it to indicate visually on your screen.

Watch this video of Bitty Event Monitor working with a micro:bit running some simple temperature monitoring code:




Code for the temperature monitor is available here:

https://github.com/bittysoftware/bitty_blue_device_code/tree/master/microbit/makecode

Bitty Polyhedra V1.0 now available in BittyWeb

BittyWeb has a new application. It's called Bitty Polyhedra and it's designed to help teach and learn about 3D geometric shapes known as polyhedra. Start by loading our hex file onto your micro:bit or follow the Bitty Software tutorial to make your own. Then, in BittyWeb go into the Bitty Polyhedra application, scan for your micro:bit, select and connect to it.

From there you can explore shapes in the shape library, rotating 3D images of the selected shape on screen using your micro:bit as a controller, tilting or rotating to control the shape on screen.

Test your knowledge by taking a quiz!

Lots of fun and educational too.



BittyWeb is no longer available.