Valenta Off-Roader is a micro:bit RC car. It is Lego Technic compatible and equipped with two (x2) micro gear motors on the rear wheels and (x1) built-in steering servo based on Roberval balance arm mechanism.

 

This car kit offers amazing self-directed learning opportunities through DIY. We've launched hands-on sample codes and tutorials at Instructables. New 3D mod parts can be obtained at Thingiverse. We've wanted to launch this project for makers, educators and enthusiasts of broader ages and tinkering levels.

 

The car will need one (x1) micro:bit for the on-board receiver and four (x4) single-use 1.5V AA batteries. You could use one more (x1) micro:bit for the transmitter, or you could alternatively use iPad (iPhone) instead by installing official micro:bit app. (The kit does not include micro:bits, smartphones or tablets in the photos.)

Start up guide for Valenta RC Car with micro:bits

Using one micro:bit as the transmitter and another one as the receiver, you can remotely control Valenta RC car! You can download ready-to-play MakeCode sample files at instructables tutorial and you can play immediately! These sample files can be used for micro:bit first version (V1) and second version (V2). Setting up the car is friendly. Insert the batteries, download the sample files to your micro:bits and turn on!

  • Go forward, backward, right and left by tilting your "transmitter" micro:bit down, up, right and left.
  • Calibrate the steering of the car by pressing button A or B on your "transmitter" micro:bit.
  • Light up on-board LEDs by pressing button A and B together on your "transmitter" micro:bit.

Start up guide for Valenta RC Car with iPad (iPhone)

You can use iPad (iPhone) as the game pad for driving Valenta RC car! You can download ready-to-play MakeCode sample file at instructables tutorial and you can play immediately! Setting up the car is friendly. Get official micro:bit app to your iPad (iPhone) and pair it with "receiver" micro:bit on the car. You can check the pairing steps in this YouTube video post. Choose the gamepad console in the app.

  • Pressing gamepad button A, B, C or D will let the car go forward, backward, left or right.
  • Pressing button 1 or 2 will turn on and off on-board LEDs.
  • Pressing button 3 or 4 will calibrate the steering by pressing gamepad button 3 or 4.

We've designed a micro:bit based motor controller called Valenta Zero. It contains a small motor controller DRV8833 for controlling two (x2) DC motors and there are four (x4) connections for general I/O and servos. These pins can operate at 3.3V or 5V (selectable) using the jumper switch. Makecode extension is made available for driving Valenta Zero.

Many thanks to concretedog for his passion and enthusiasm for reviewing and giving feedbacks to Valenta RC car! Here's the unboxing YouTube post!

Assembly and Setup

Assembling has never been easier! You can build the car with lots of fun and confidence. There are no needs for too many challenging processes, like soldering, gluing or painting. Simply follow each assembling step at instructables tutorial or watch YouTube video post! Paper You can also review PDF instruction manual.


Fun Projects at Instructables

Valenta RC car is equipped with four (x4) on-board LEDs. These LEDs have built-in programmable chips and they are also known as Neopixels. One of our tutorials is to demonstrate how to light up on-board LEDs for night crawling! Thanks instructables for featuring the Night Crawler project with Bronze Medal!

Check out instructables projects!


Thanks instructables for featuring the Night Crawler project with Bronze Medal!

Creating 3D Mod Parts

You can download various functional parts and 3D models available at Thingiverse. You can try 3D printing to create new mod parts for Valenta RC car!

Check out 3D mod parts at Thingiverse!


Valenta Off-Roader is the collaboration product mutually developped by Hummingworks LLC and 4Tronix. All rights reserved. Humming Works LLC is the product house that designs engineering programs and kits for educators and makers. 4Tronix is the supplier of educational electronics. It makes electronics boards for BBC micro:bit, Arduino and Raspberry Pi.


Safety and Care Instructions

 

We have designed our products to be both fun and safe. These products are purposefully designed to be friendly with users of broader ages including children, so accidents from unintended uses are less likely. We minimize excessive details, reduce sharp edges and use eco-friendly materials so that the models are made safe for playing.

 

Before playing, please read and understand carefully all available instructions, manuals and tutorials of the product and related information posted on the website. Please help the child users better understand how to use the product safely by accompanying together with proper supervision. Stop playing if there are any questions and please contact us for support.

 

To play with any electronic modules and power supply, we recommend careful adult supervision and mentoring at all times. Our products can offer something to explore mainly for the builders aimed at ages 14+. This is an ideal introductory micro:bit STEM DIY kit for young builders. Do not give this product to children under the age of 5.

 

The kit requires new, single-use 1.5V AA batteries separately. Insert the batteries to the holder in the correct orientation and do not reverse polarity. Do not mix batteries of different types or ages. Replace all batteries at the same time. You can gently clean your model with a cloth. We do not recommend washing with household cleansers, such as anti-bacterial liquid sprays or detergent. Our models are designed with reliability in mind, but if you experience problems, or in the unlikely event of a breakdown, just contact us to get our support. We want to be able to assist you and promise to do what we could to fix your problems.