During this workshop we will be using [http://www.makeblock.cc/mbot/](mbots from Makeblock). These robots are quick to construct but can be used to do a variety of activites including:
- Control remotely over bluetooth
- Use distance sensors for obstacle detection
- Play a tune via a speaker
- Detect lines and follow them
And all of this can be done using JavaScript via NodeJS and Johnny Five.
You will need the following:
- a ticket to the workshop as this includes the cost of an mBot within it. You will be able to take this home with you after the session for more hacking.
- A laptop with a recent desktop OS (Win, Mac, Linux all fine)
- A sense of fun and desire to learn new things
- Some JavaScript knowledge
Before you come to the workshop please ensure you've done the tasks below. On a good internet connection this process takes about 20 minutes. On poor conference wifi or 3G you may be looking at over an hour to do this on the day which means you'll get less value out of the session.
- Install (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software)[Arduino] for your OS. If you have it installed, please update it to a recent 1.6.x version.
- Install NodeJS. Note that there are problems with NodeJS 4.x - as such
(https://nodejs.org/dist/v0.12.7/)[use 0.12.7 for the moment]. If you are using v4 then please ensure
you have and know how to use
nvmand have 0.12.7 installed for use. - Test installation of
johnny-five. You can do this usingnpm install johnny-five. If you get any errors, drop into the (http://gitter.im/rwaldron/johnny-five)[Johnny Five Gitter] and we can get you sorted out. - Make sure you have Git installed and in a new folder (https://github.com/Makeblock-official/mbot_nodebots.git)[git clone the mbot repo.]
Bookmark this page in order to get any latest updates required before the session.