The micro:bit is an educational single-board chip made in England, which the PLEN:bit utilizes as its brain. Beginner or advanced, regardless of ability, anyone can freely and easily program the sensors and LEDs in the micro:bit to create your robot’s motions and reactions.
This kit is for those who already have PLEN: bit. This kit allows you to convert PLEN: bit to PLEN5Stack!
PLENbit has been updated. Look at the arm, it’s a block !
There are new holes in PLEN:bit’s hands to attach new blocks.You can also remove the hand and replace it with other blocks for new shapes.
PLEN: bit has a big body and couldn’t carry a box, but this is true by adding blocks!
More new brothers. Its name is PLEN5Stack !
PLEN:bit Developer Edition !
We were able to get M5Stack official support. PLEN5Stack is a developer edition. For those who are familiar with electronic work and programming. When combined with M5Stack, it can be developed in Arduino environment, and it is possible to use M5Stack’s various functions and libraries. You can also develop IoT and AI.
With a temperature sensor or wifi you can alerts or send notifications to PC depending on the temperature. The temperature sensor is attached to the arm and connected to M5Stack.
The hardware difference from PLEN:bit is the control board and the body part. The 8 x servo motor can be controlled in the same way as the plenbit control board.
*Distance sensor and sound sensor and Other senser are not included with PLEN5Stack.
The sensor for M5Stack can be easily attached to the arm of PLEN5Stack, so customization of PLEN5Stack is easy!
M5Stack is a module developed by a Shenzhen startup that uses the popular ESP32 for electronic work fans. Because Wifi is usable, it is suitable for Iot.
M5stack has various functions. LCD, Speaker, microSDslot, button, USB, Grove connector, etc…
The M5Stack on the PLEN5Stack is white and has a special specification with the PLEN logo!
PLEN:bit
PLEN:bit has a small body only 13cm tall, eight movable joints, two onboard sensors and green LED eyes. The exterior parts a made from a combination of 3D printed parts and plastic injection molded parts.
Please see the official page of micro:bit for a full detailed specification of their product.
micro:bit features
https://microbit.org/guide/features/
micro:bit Hardware
https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/
1. Block Diagram of PLEN:bit
2. PLEN:bit Features
3. PLEN:bit Control board
4. PLEN:bit Switch & charge control board
5. PLEN:bit sensors & LED board
・Can’t press the micro:bit button … ?
For kids
There are lots of programing tools in the world for beginner programmers using both PC and tablet. However, rather than using only a PC, by creating programs for real objects you can witness the effects of your code and help make the understanding of coding easier. Usually the repetitiveness of trial and error can put people, especially kids, off coding. But using a cute robot where every input can be seen with a visual output should naturally maintain one’s interest.
For teachers
The use of the micro:bit is beginning to spread throughout the world in educational facilities.
For those teachers already using or who would like to use the micro:bit, the PLEN:bit robot is the most optimal teaching tool. Not only will those who are already using micro:bit benefit, but anyone can also introduce subjects like using sensor and electronics.
Also with just one PLEN:bit robot you can quickly exchange micro:bit chips to test another program.
For creators
Since PLEN:bit is very simple robot, customization has never been easier. It is possible to add your own sensors, servo motors, or any mechanism. We encourage supporters to challenge themselves and show us what you got.
PLEN:bit Customize
2WD PLEN5Stack
PLEN5Stack Hand
1.Assembly
This is the PLEN:bit assembly kit. Construction only needs one screwdriver. It is estimated that a beginner will take about one hour. Through assembly you can learn about the mechanisms and makings of a robot.
We have prepared a video that explains the assembly method. Even if you don’t have experience, you will be able to assemble your partner without any help from anyone.
If you can’t play the video, see the PDF version on the official HP!
https://plen.jp/wp/plenbit/#manual
2.Programming
The micro:bit is equipped with a MakeCode Block Editor accessed from any web browser and is suited for beginners. Using this you can easily program your PLEN:bit.
The PLEN:bit has both a distance sensor and sound sensor that can be used even to navigate a maze.
PLEN:bit can react to sound.
In addition, the micro:bit has an embedded accelerometer and compass that can be used so that PLEN:bit will understand if it has tilt or to move in a compass direction.
By bringing together all these sensors you are free to imagine and create your own unique actions.
3. Movement
PLEN:bit has a small body only 13cm tall and eight movable joints, allowing a multitude of movement. Even using preset motions such as walking, dancing and waving, you can find many ways to have fun with PLEN:bit.
You can control the servomotor to create motion.
For example, this is a motion to clean.
The micro:bit is an educational single-board chip made in England. This board comes equipped with 25LEDs, an accelerometer, a compass, a thermometer, a light sensor, a touch sensor, wireless connection, and more. By connecting this chip to PLEN:bit, it becomes the brain able to operate servo motors, sensors and other robotic mechanisms.
Micro:bit Educational Foundation
Special Columns
PLEN:bit has been introduced in many feature articles. Please see it.
1. RobotStart
2. fabcross
3. future gadget lab
4. INSPIRE-TV
Nochi
http://shikarunochi.matrix.jp/?cat=25
watako-lab
http://watako-lab.com/2019/09/14/plen_fc_tracking/
koyoko
https://note.mu/koyoko/m/m7db8903f66dc
There are two main rewards offered to backers: one assembly kit with the micro:bit, or one assembly kit without the micro:bit. This way those who already own a micro:bit chip can use it with PLEN:bit and not be forced to buy a new micro:bit.
Inside the kit you will find plastic exterior parts, servo motors, sensors, LEDs, the micro:bit connection board, NiMH battery, and charger. Please see below for parts count.
Shipment
The campaign will finish in early November and we plan on shipping all rewards after 2020.
PLEN:bit is developed by PLEN project. This undertaking started in June 2018 and the prototyping stage has already finished. At the time this campaign is launched mass production development will have started.
PLEN:bit marks new era of connecting with robots. Not only kids, but anyone with curiosities towards robots will find something new and exciting with this opportunity.
This campaign has nothing to do with LEGO Group.
The micro:bit is not owned by PLEN Project. Any changes or modifications within the hardware of the micro:bit chip are not within the control of PLEN Project. Nevertheless, the Micro:bit Educational Foundation works with children in England having already distributed 1 million micro:bit boards and are planning on distributing over 2 million more to children across the US, Canada and Japan. We feel it will be highly unlikely that the specifications of this chip will change in the foreseeable future. The hardware required for robots is extremely complicated. Up until mass production there can be many barriers that can slow the process. There are cases of Kickstarter campaigns where the product has not been able to be delivered to backers due to issues with mass production. However, we want to assure the backers that PLEN Project has experience with successfully mass-producing and providing backers with the final product, the PLEN2. Following this, many of the parts the PLEN:bit we will use are the same as the PLEN2 robot, and the suppliers and manufactures are already set. For these reasons, we are confident and can promise that backers will receive their rewards.