Robot Grand Prix at Coding Club

Recognised by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the coding club at East Point Academy have been working on robots to compete in a Grand Prix race!

With the track not yet revealed, students have been preparing for all circumstances and equipping their robots with everything they might need to navigate a tough course. Robots have been equipped with two independent motors to drive the wheels, two ground-level line sensors, and a forward-facing ultrasonic distance sensor. Controlled with a Micro:bit, the drivers have been training and getting used to the handling, whilst also being able to control the coloured fire-LEDs installed.

Coded with a combination of Microsoft's MakeCode and Python, pupils are expanding their knowledge and developing their skills in an easy-to-use coding environment.

Robots have been programmed to display their team number whilst racing and also needed the ability to indicate turning and stopping. On the course, robots must not touch any obstacles or other robots (we want a nice clean race!).

Each team may also build and code a wireless controller as the Micro:bit controlling the robot isn't powerful enough to be totally automatous, but this also must be based on one or more Micro:bits.

See more photos below!