Xtreme STEM
DashX

DashBot Challenges

The best way to learn is by doing.
See how many challenges you can complete with your DashBot:

Print your checklist

 

Driving Challenges

 

One Meter Dash

RunnerThe Robot Olympics are here and your DashBot wants to win gold!
DashBot must race to the finish line as fast as he can.

Make DashBot go full speed forward.
He doesn't need to stop, just run!

This challenge can be done in normal mBlock Live mode
with the USB cable connected to your laptop.
(Don't worry, you will set DashBot Free in later challenges)

 

Show Hint
How to control just Motor A
D5 D6 Motor A D5 D6
LOW LOW Stopped 0 0
LOW HIGH Backward 0 1
HIGH LOW Forward 1 0
HIGH HIGH Stopped 1 1

go

See the DriverBlock for more information

 

 

Show Solution

You need to make the left and right motors both go forward

This should make your DashBot go full speed forward
mblock

 

If one (or both) motors go backward then you need to reverse the motor wires
(where they connect to the DriverBlock)

Driver

Bonus

Make DashBot Run backward

Show Solution

Backward

Drive Me Crazy

DashBot has his L plates, you need to teach him how to drive.
He has 8 different ways he can drive.

This challenge must be done in mBlock Live mode
with the USB cable connected to your laptop.
(Don't worry, you will set DashBot Free in the next challenge)

Can you make all 8 arrows work?
mBlock
Click the picture to download

Note: The program isn't complete, you need to make it work.

Show Hint

This should make your DashBot go full speed forward
mblock

 

Bonus

Make the arrow keys on your keyboard drive your Dashbot
Make him only move as long as you're holding the key (Hint: Stop when the key is released)

 

Show Solution

mBlock
Click the picture to download

Cliff Hanger

C liffA young girl slipped over the edge of a cliff!
She is hanging on with just her fingers.
DashBot must rescue her!
Get DashBot as close to the edge of the "cliff" (a.k.a table) as you can with out going over!

This challenge must be done in Arduino mode
with no cables connected from DashBot to your laptop.

Start DashBot in the same place each time. 
Get your timing perfect (no sensors needed). 

Show Hint

You need to get your timing perfect, you can use decimals (not just whole numbers):

1.25s


Bonus

Back-up after reaching the edge.

 

Dizzy Mind Reader

DizzyDashBot loves to spin in circles, and
DashBot wants to answer all your questions.

  • Ask him anything
  • Then have him spin in a circle for a random amount of time
  • Finally have him drive straight for 1 sec and stop
  • Where he stops answers your question

8
  1. Yes
  2. Most Likely
  3. Ask Again
  4. No
  5. Very Unlikely
  6. Sometimes
  7. Why Not?
  8. Sorry that information is classified

 

Bonus

Have DashBot spin clockwise first then counter-clockwise, before moving forward

Cricket (U-Turn)

CricketDashBot wants to be a star Cricket player.
Help DashBot score 2 runs! 
Teach him to run to the wicket, turn around and come back.

Note: Cricket players do not run backward! 
DashBot needs to turn around, not run backwards.


 

Pothole

There is a hole in the middle of the road and DashBot doesn't want to fall in. 
Can you help him go around it and keep going?


Bonus

Help DashBot go around on the other side of the puddle.
(If you had him go around the right side, now have him go around the left side).

 

You're So Square

squareDashBot loves shapes. Help him draw a square.

Can you find a way to attach a marker or pen to DashBot so he can draw?

Show Hint

Use a Repeat block

Repeat

Bonus

Try changing your program to make a:

  • Triangle (3 sides)
  • Square (4 sides)
  • Pentagon (5 sides)
  • Hexagon (6 sides)
  • Octagon (8 sides)

 

Crop Circles

Crop circleDashBot wants to trick the humans.  He wants to make some crop circles and pretend aliens did it.
Help DashBot make a small, medium, and large circle.

Show Hint

You will need both wheels turning, but at different speeds


Bonus

Make a figure 8 shape.

 

Maze Runner

mazeDashBot is feeling lost.  Can you help get through a simple maze? 
Draw or build a very simple maze (that only requires 2 turns to get out).

Bonus

Make a maze that needs 3 turns to get out.

 

 

 


 

 

Beep and Blink Blocks Challenges

 

Changing Lanes - BlinkBlock

carDashBot wants to be a safe driver. 
He needs to learn to indicate (signal) that he wants to change lanes.
Add a BlinkBlock to DashBot's left side,
make it blink 5 times before he turns left.

Show Hint

Use a Repeat block

Repeat

 

 

Bonus

Add a second BlinkBlock to your DashBot (on his right side).
Make him signal both directions before turning that way.

 

Police Car - BlinkBlock & BeepBlock

Police CarDashBot is ready to be a police officer.  Help him pull bad drivers over by blinking 2 BlinkBlocks quickly back and forth.


Bonus

Can you add a BeepBlock to make a siren sound?

 

DashBot DubStep - BlinkBlock & BeepBlock

Disco BallDashBot wants to show off his best dance moves.


Invent a dance for him

  • Try to use all 8 ways he can move
  • Share your program so a bunch of DashBots can dance all together!

 

Bonus

Add some lights and sounds

  • BlinkBlocks
  • RainbowBlock
  • BeepBlock

 

Sing to Me - BeepBlock

DashBot wants to audition for Robot's Got Talent and needs to practice his singing. 
His favourite song is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, can you help him learn to sing it?

Twinkle Little Star

Staff
Note length

Show Hint

You can test the song in mBlock mode
- but you need to place a wait block after each note that is as long as the note

Twinkle

In Arduino mode you should change all the waits to a very short time (50ms = 0.05s)
(You can remove all the waits in Arduino mode, but the notes start to blend together)

Twinkle

Bonus

Create a different song
See the BeepBlock for more songs to try

 

DJ DashBot - BeepBlock & BatBlock

DJDashBot wants to be a DJ. 
Create a DJ Mixing table for him.

As you move your hand back and forth in front of the BatBlock it should control the sounds from the BeepBlock.

Show Hint

You will want to multiply your BatBlock sensor's readings to get frequencies high enough to hear.

Bonus

At a "magic" distance make DashBot play a few notes of a real song.

 

 


 

 

BatBlock Challenges

 

Alarm Bot - BatBlock & BeepBlock

AlarmDashBot has decided he wants a job as a security robot to guard your room.
Program DashBot to beep when something moves in front of him.

Show Hint

Ignore readings that are too big or too small

Bonus

Make DashBot sound more like a siren, and not stop until the reset button is pressed.

 

Look out for the wall! - BatBlock

WallDashBot isn’t paying attention to where he is going. 
Sometimes he walks into walls and it hurts. 
Help DashBot stop before he hits a wall. 

Show Hint

You will need to turn on DashBot’s Obstacle Detection at the start of your program.

Bonus

Put your hand in front of DashBot before starting your program. 
Make him wait until you move your hand to start going. 
Then still have him stop when he reaches a wall.

 

Scaredy Bot - BatBlock

CatDashBot is afraid of us big humans.
DashBot must back up a little each time your hand gets too close.

Show Hint

You will need to turn on DashBot’s Obstacle Detection at the start of your program.  Also make sure you use a loop.

Bonus

Have DashBot turn on his LEDs each time he backs away.

 

Follow Me - BatBlock

LeashDashBot loves humans and wants to follow you anywhere you go.  Lead him using your hand.

Show Hint

Using obstacle detection you can tell if your hand is in the front, left, or right.  You will need 3 If icons.

Bonus

Try making DashBot do the opposite; instead of follow you, you need to “push” him.  Have him move away from your hand depending where your hand is.

 

Think Inside the Box - BatBlock

CageCan you trap poor DashBot inside a "cage"?    
DashBot will drive forward until he sees a wall, then turn around and keep going.

Show Hint

Adjust the distance so DashBot doesn't hit the wall before he stops.

(15cm is a good starting)

 

Show Solution

 

mBlock

Click on the picture to download the solution

Bonus

Instead of turning around 180 degrees, can you make DashBot backup and turn a little (Back Turn)? 

 

Mario Balloon Battle - BatBlock

MarioDashBot wants to be Mario, and play Balloon Battle.
Try to pop each other's balloons - The last player left with an unpopped balloon wins!

Every player will have 3 balloons tied to them.
The balloons will be attached to the very back in the middle.

Your job is to design DashBot's "weapons" - to pop the balloons of the other players.

Your Mario Kart must be able to fit inside a 30cm x 30cm x 30cm box.

You cannot cover or protect your balloons with anything.

Materials:

  • 3 pins
  • 3 skewer sticks
  • You can use all the Lego you want

See the solution to the Think Inside the Box challenge for a good place to start.

Show Hint

Do you want to play offensive or defensive?
You can detect other DashBots in front of you, but you can choose if you rush forward to attack, or back away and try to hide.

 

Show Hint

Try adding a special attack move:
Maybe spinning for a couple of seconds
or moving straight forward and backward 2 or 3 times quickly

Try adding your move after the GoForward Block
or in the empty else
Both will do different things, try them both out.

You will need to upload again everytime you make a change.

mblock

 

Show Hint

If your DashBot doesn't drive very straight, you can adjust how much power goes to each wheel.
It will never be perfect, but you can improve it a little.

If he slowly turns to the right it means you need to slow down the left wheel.
If he slowly turns to the left it means you need to slow down the right wheel.

Adjust the two 255 numbers for the motor you need to slow down.
Try lowering the number 10 or 20 at a time.

You will need to upload again everytime you make a change.

 

 


 

 

LineBlock Challenges

 

Don't Cross the Line - LineBlock

Cross walkDashBot needs to learn to stop before crossing a street.
DashBot should drive forward until he finds the “edge of the road” (a black line) and then he should stop.

 

Show Hint

Have DashBot wait a few seconds before he starts moving forward
Then have him wait until he detects the line

Wait
You will need to adjust the number 300 to the right value for the line you are detecting
You will also need to change the greater-than (>) to a less-than (<) depending on the color of the line (white on black vs black on white)

Finally add the commands to make DashBot stop after he has waited for the line

 

Show Solution

 

Solution

(This is for a black line on a white surface)

Bonus

After DashBot stops, he should wait 2 seconds (to look both ways), then he should cross the black road, and stop when he reaches the other side.

 

Center Ring

TentDashBot wants to join the circus, but first you must train him to stay inside a ring.

Using DashBot’s LineBlock help him detect the edge of the ring and turn around before he drives out of the ring.

Show Hint

 

To stay in the ring you need to:
Move forward until you detect a line
Backup
Turn around (about 180 degrees)

mblock

The "wait until" block needs to go inside the forever along with some other blocks that make DashBot move

 

Show Solution

 

Solution

(This is for a black ring on a white surface)

Bonus

Have DashBot count the number of times he “bounces” off the edge of the ring. 
When he reaches 10 times, have him stop his performance.

Sumo - LineBlock & BatBlock - 2 DashBot Mission

wrestleDashBot is ready to Sumo wrestle. 
To win he must knock his opponent out of the ring.

Show Hint

Start with the Center Ring program, then use the BatBlock to look for DashBot's opponent, when you see him - charge ahead full speed! 

Bonus

Can you become a sumo champion by adding some tricky moves? 
Maybe some spins, pauses, multiple hits? 
Improve the basic Sumo program.

 

Walk the Line - LineBlock

Line FollowerDashBot likes lines. 
He likes to follow them to see where they go. 
Program DashBot to follow a line. 


Show Hint

Dashbot will wiggle along the edge of the line.

If you detect a black line turn one way
If you detect white turn the other way

Bonus

DashBot doesn’t actually follow the line; he follows the edge of the line.  Can you make him follow the opposite side of the line?

 

Count Me In - LineBlock & FaceBlock

countDashBot likes to count. 
Give him some black lines to count (link a giant barcode).
Have him drive for 1 second across all your lines,
and then have him flash (and beep) the total number he counted.

Show Hint

You need to wait for the LightBlock sense dark, and then light again.
This will be one line.

Bonus

Have DashBot show the number of lines on his FaceBlock.

 

 

 

 


 

 

EyeBlock Challenges

 

Cockroach - EyeBlock

cockroachCockroaches run away when they see light.  DashBot thinks he is a cockroach, help him run when he sees a bright light.

Show Hint

You will need to use a Read Analog Pin block. 
You will also need a loop to check your light brightness.

Bonus

Make DashBot stop when it is dark, and go again when he see light again.

 

Sock Alarm - EyeBlock

socksDashBot loved being a guard robot.  He now wants to keep your socks safe.  Place DashBot in your sock drawer.  Program DashBot so he beeps forever when the drawer is opened and he detects light.

Show Hint

You will need to use a Read Analog Pin block. 
You will also need a loop to check your light brightness.

Bonus

Make DashBot sound more like a siren. 

 

Follow the Light - EyeBlock x2

DashBot likes pretty lights.  Help him drive toward the light. 

Show Hint

Create two variables.  Use one for left light level, the other for right. 
Subtract them, and use the result to decide which direction to turn.

Bonus

Instead of following the light make it so DashBot will drive straight forward the whole time, but make it so he drives faster the brighter the light is.

 

 

 


 

 

EarBlock Challenges

 

Clap On, Clap Off - EarBlock

clapDashBot wants to try being an automatic light. 
Help him learn how to turn on his "headlights" (BlinkBlocks) when you clap.

Bonus

Make DashBot turn on when you clap, and then turn off when you clap again.  Add a loop so he keeps doing it.

 

Ready, Set, Go! - EarBlock

Traffic LightDashBot enjoys races.  So far he has always needed his coach to tell him when to start running.  He is now ready to run a race on his own.
Teach DashBot to wait until he hears the “starting gun” (clap), then start running.


Bonus

Have DashBot end the race (stop running) when he crosses the finish line (black line).

 

Marco Polo - EarBlock x2

DashBot wants to play Marco Polo. Blind-fold him (Remove BatBlock), so he can only use his EarBlocks. 
Help him drive toward the sound.

Show Hint

Create two variables.  Use one for left sound level, the other for right. 
Subtract them, and use the result to decide which direction to turn.

Bonus

Make DashBot drive faster the louder the sound is.

 

Clap Driving - EarBlock

clapDashBot is like a dog.  He will listen to your commands if you train him well. 
Make DashBot drive forward when he detects a clap.

Bonus

Make DashBot turn right when he detects two claps.

 

 


 

 

Misc Block Challenges

 

 

Poke Me - ButtonBlock

ButtonDashBot is feeling lazy.  You need to give him a little poke to help him move.
Every time you press the ButtonBlock button he should move forward for 1 second.

Bonus

If you "long press" (hold down the button for 1 second or more)
DashBot should move backward for 1 second.

 

Canyon Crossing - Lego

CanyonDashBot needs to recue another hiker.  This one is trapped on the other side of a canyon!
Use your Lego and some string to find a way to get DashBot across the “canyon”.

Bonus

Have him detect that he has reached the other side and come back.

 

Point and Clap - GyroBlock & EarBlock & ButtonBlock

HandShow DashBot the way to go.  Point which way you want him to go.  Press the button to memorize this direction. Then clap or shout go! 

  • Pick up DashBot and point him in any direction
  • When the button is pressed read the GyroBlock
    and save the direction in a variable
  • Now point him in any other direction
  • Then clap to go

Bonus

If you clap again, make DashBot keep going in the last chosen direction.

 

Add it up - RemoteBlock

NumbersDashBot wants to practise addition.  Give him two numbers (using the TV remote), then ask him to add them.  He can give his answer by flashing his LEDs the right number of times.

Bonus

Help DashBot with his times tables (multiplication).  Since the answers will be much bigger (as high as 9x9=81) have DashBot answer by flashing his left LED for the first digit (number of tens), then flash his right LED for the second digit (number of ones).  Example: 4 x 9 = 36, DashBot will flash his left 3 times, and then his right 6 times.

 

Lock Out - RemoteBlock

LockDashBot is guarding top secret information.  The only way to unlock him is to enter the secret 2-digit password using the TV remote.

If you enter the correct PIN have DashBot make a happy beep, otherwise have him make an unhappy beep.

Bonus

Make the secret more secure by using a 4 digit PIN, and make it easy to change by using 4 variables (one for each digit).

 

 

 


 

 

Advanced Missions

 

Moon Mine (1 or 2 DashBot Mission)

MoonDashBot has been hired to help with a new mining project on the moon. 

He must:

  • Follow the line that leads into the mine. 
  • When he reaches the wall at the end of the line, he should stop
  • Then communicate with the conveyor belt robot, asking him to load a moon rock onto him. 
  • Once DashBot has his moon rock he must follow the line out of the mine back to the rocket. 
  • Now he must dump-off the rock. 
    (He can spin or wiggle until it falls off). 
  • He should then return for another rock.

The conveyor belt robot can be replaced with a human astronaut if you do not have an extra DashBot.

Bonus

Add a fork in the mine shaft, so DashBot has 2 paths he can take. 
Have him alternate which one he takes each time he goes for a moon rock.

 

Dragon's Den - LineBlock & EarBlock

DragonDashBot wants to be a knight.  The princess has asked him to get-back her crown which was stolen by an evil dragon.
Sir DashBot must:

  • Drive up to the entrance of the cave
    which has a nice black smoke line outside of it
    (from the previous robotic knights that failed)
  • Stop at the black "smoke line"
  • He must listen carefully for the dragon… 
  • If he hears the dragon roar he should immediately turn around and run away!
  • If he doesn’t hear anything for 5 seconds it means the dragon is asleep and it is safe to go in the cave. 
  • Sir DashBot needs to go slowly into the cave, find the princess’ crown, and then get out quick!
Show Hint

Don’t forget to add a small delay after DashBot stops before you check for noise, otherwise he will detect his own motor noise. 

Bonus

Give Sir DashBot a black smoke line from the cave entrance to the treasure.  Have him follow the line in.  Stop when he detects an obstacle, turn around, and follow the line back out.

 

Going Up? (Lego)

CraneDashBot would like try being a crane. 
Turn him in a Lego crane.  Then use him to pick up a block.

Show Hint

Use gears to increase the load DashBot can raise.

Bonus

Use a BatBlock to tell how high the block is.

 

Put it over there (2 DashBot Mission)

Crane TruckDashBot is ready to start building.  Using 2 DashBots build a crane that can drive around.
Pick up a block with the Lego crane.  Move it, then put it down.

Show Hint

The DashBots will need to communicate with each other to work together. 

Bonus

Have DashBot find the block, before he picks it up, using obstacle detection.

 

Skyscraper

Sky ScraperDashBot is ready to start building.  Using 2 DashBots build a crane that can drive around. Build a 2-block-high tower using a Lego crane.

Pick up a block with the Lego crane.  Move it, then put it down. Return to get the next block, pick it up and place it on top of the last one.

Bonus

Build a 3-block-high tower.

 

 



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