How to use mBlock 5 to program mBot Neo
1. Download and install the required software
2. Connect mBot Neo to mBlock 5
3. Add extensions
4. Set the programming mode
1. Download and install the required software
To program mBot Neo with mBlock 5, you can use the mBlock 5 PC client, mBlock 5 on the web, or the mBlock 5 mobile app.
PC client
To use the mBlock 5 PC client, you need to download and install it.
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On the web
To use mBlock 5 on the web (https://ide.mblock.cc), you need to download and install mLink 2.
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Note:
Google Chrome is recommended. To download Google Chrome, click Google Chrome.
Mobile app
To use mBlock 5 on mobile devices, use your phone or tablet to scan the QR code or search for “mBlock” in app stores to download the app.
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2. Connect mBot Neo to mBlock 5
Before programming mBot Neo, you need to connect it to mBlock 5.
Refer to the following instructions according to your mBlock 5 version:
- Connect mBot Neo to the mBlock 5 PC client
- Connect mBot Neo to mBlock 5 on the web
- Connect mBot Neo to the mBlock 5 app on your mobile device
Connect mBot Neo to the mBlock 5 PC client
(1) Use a Micro USB cable (Type-C) to connect mBot Neo to your PC, and power on mBot Neo.
(2) Double-click the mBlock 5 icon on your PC to open it.
(3) On the Devices tab, click + add, select CyberPi, and click OK.
(4) Click Connect to connect CyberPi to mBlock 5.
A message is displayed after CyberPi is connected, indicating that the connection is successful.
Connect mBot Neo to mBlock 5 on the web
(1) Use a Micro USB cable (Type-C) to connect mBot Neo to your PC, and power on mBot Neo.
(2) Double-click the mLink 2 icon on your PC to open it.
(3) Click Create now in the mBlock block-based editor area to open mBlock 5 on the web.
(4) Click the Devices tab, click + add, select CyberPi, and click OK.
(5) Click Connect to connect CyberPi to mBlock 5.
A message is displayed after CyberPi is connected, indicating that the connection is successful.
Connect mBot Neo to the mBlock 5 app on your mobile device
(1) Enable Bluetooth on your mobile device.
(2) Turn on mBot Neo.
(3) Open the mBlock 5 app on your mobile device, and tap Coding.
(4) Tap +, select CyberPi, and tap √.
(5) Tap CyberPi, tap Connect, and put your phone or tablet close to mBot Neo.
mBlock 5 searches for CyberPi through Bluetooth and connects to it.
(6) Tap Back to coding.
Now, you can start to program mBot Neo by dragging blocks to the area on the right!
3. Add extensions
Besides the main control board CyberPi, mBot Neo uses mBot2 Shield, Ultrasoinc sensor 2, quad RGB sensor, and encoder motors. Therefore, to program mBot Neo, you need to add the corresponding extensions.
(1) Add the mBot2 extension.
After adding the extension, you can see and use the blocks.
(2) Add the Ultrasonic Sensor 2 and Quad RGB Sensor extensions in the same way.
Tips: You can add extensions on mBlock 5 on your PC, on the web, or on your mobile device in the similar way.
4. Set the programming mode
mBlock 5 provides two programming modes, namely Live and Upload. You can click to switch the modes.
Live: In this mode, you can view the program execution effect in real time, which facilitates the debugging of the program. In this mode, you must keep CyberPi connected to mBlock 5. If they are disconnected, the program cannot be executed.
Upload: In this mode, you need to upload the compiled program to CyberPi. After being successfully uploaded, the program can still run properly on CyberPi when it is disconnected from mBlock 5.
Now you can start to program mBot Neo!