Practical Session for Programming and Operating a Microcontrolled Vehicle

About this Event

This session is provided to let participants program, tune and operate a two-motor vehicle controlled by the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller. The vehicle will operate on a black-line ‘track’ and include line following and forward obstruction detection sensors. Participants will use basic Python however experience using Python is not required. The exercises will be geared to multiple levels of capability. The vehicles will not be given to the participants at the end of the session, they will be made available external to the BSides event.

Recommended for ages 12-18

Session is limited to 8 participants.

Exercises

1. “Hello World” coding.
2. Write code to use loop and conditional components. (Optional)
3. Write code and assemble components to toggle an LED.
4. Use pre-written code to operate the motors.
5. Load and test vehicle to exercise line following & distance sensor operation.
6. Write code to specify vehicle movement patterns (ie. circle, square, etc.)

Student Requirements

Participants need to bring a laptop that has a usb-a port or an adapter that supports usb-a port

Software (Can be installed during the class)
Thonny IDE: Thonny, Python IDE for beginners

Trainer

Mike Wiseman spent 20 years in information security, computer network operations, and other senior technical roles. His educational background in electrical engineering ignited a love for building hobby electronics which he is now enjoying himself and sharing with others, including teaching and supporting simple robotics education in Jamaica.