Simple Car – Follower

Expand your Simple Car with the Follower module! Connect it to your existing kit and learn how to make the vehicle automatically follow a line using sensors - a great addition for developing skills in robotics, logic, and programming.
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Description

Follower is an expansion module for the Simple Car robotic vehicle that enables automatic line tracking. Thanks to sensors located on the front of the vehicle, the robot can react to a contrasting route and move along it without the need for manual control. Simply connect the module to the vehicle base and prepare it for smart line tracking in no time.

Follower opens up new possibilities for fun and educational projects – from track racing to industrial automation simulation. It is ideal for beginners who want to learn the basics of sensor technology and control logic, as well as advanced users looking for new challenges.

Components


BBC MICRO:BIT V2.2

Joystick

Simple Car

Infrared sensor

Connection

With the Follower extension, it is important to correctly connect the continuous servo motors for the vehicle movement to the pins. P0 a P1 on the MB2 expansion board, just like the basic Simple Car model. In addition, it is necessary to connect IR sensors for line monitoring, which are powered and connected via the signal line (DO). Make sure that the signal, power (VCC) and grounding (GND) lines – their interchangeability may cause damage to the sensor.

After mechanically assembling the entire vehicle and the extension, connect the power battery and proceed with the wiring. When starting for the first time, we recommend calibrating the IR sensor - place the vehicle over the test line and gently turn the screw on the sensor (blue square) using a Phillips screwdriver. Set the switching point so that the sensor reliably distinguishes the transition between the black line and the white background. Only after this step can you start programming.

Programme

Programming Simple Car – Follower is divided into two parts: basic structure a line tracking using IR sensors. At the beginning it is important to set the correct version of the expansion board using the block Init tank versionThen you can use a ready-made program that evaluates signals from infrared sensors and adjusts the movement of the vehicle so that it follows the black line on the pad.

Basic structure

Here you will find a project with libraries adapted precisely for controlling and steering the Simple Car vehicle. To open the program, you need to edit the project in the MakeCode environment - you can access the editor by clicking on the icon in the upper right corner of the program window. Before you start completing tasks and programming, you need to set the correct version of the vehicle using the "Init tank version" block.

Followers

Here you will find the Follower extension project, which allows the rover to follow a line using infrared sensors. The program constantly evaluates the signals from the sensors - if any of them detects a black line (logical 0), the motor speed is adjusted so that the rover responds correctly. Open the sample program by clicking on the edit icon and you can further customize it as needed.

Tasks

Task 1: Test track

Use a black marker to draw a line on white paper for the Simple Car to follow.
First test its functionality on an A4. Once you have verified that the vehicle follows the black line, create a racing circuit.

Task 2: Crossroads

Draw a line in the shape of a “T.” Create a program that allows the vehicle to automatically turn left at the intersection.

Task 3: Maze

Draw a simple maze using black lines. Program the vehicle to follow the route from start to finish without stopping.

Task 4: Obstacle course

Draw a zigzag line and place small obstacles (e.g. cubes) near it. The goal is to travel the route without collisions and stay on the line.

Task 5: Speed Challenge

Create the fastest possible program that will allow you to drive the entire track with minimal stops and without going off the line.

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