Blog 7: What can "UCreate" with a Micro:bit and a Rasperry Pi 3 (Minecraft random radio bounce)

Last summer I created some resources to use with Micro:bit/s for CPC and over the next few months and I will try and share the best bits with the kind permission of CPC. 

You can go and buy a Micro:bit project kit from here: http://cpc.farnell.com/bbc-micro-bit-kits


This one uses the Micro:bit and Raspberry Pi. The Micro:bit uses a serial connection to the Pi to send data. The credit for this goes to Martin O'Hanlon and David Whale.

This builds on the previous blog:
 http://warksjammy.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/blog-6-what-can-ucreate-with-microbit.html

Which created random bouncing Minecraft character triggered by a Micro:bit. This extends this by using two Micro:bits one remains connected to the Pi and listens for messages from the second Micro:bit which runs off batteries. If you press "a" on the battery run Micro:bit then it sends a message via the radio module. The Pi connected Micro:bit then receives the message and then sends the message to the Python script through the serial connection. In a nutshell its a radio controlled bouncing character. 

Here is a picture of the set up

Here is the updated version of the code the two Micro:bits:

from microbit import*

import random

import radio

radio.on()

REFRESH = 500

JumpStatus = ["Jump","Donotjump"]

def get_data():

    if button_a.is_pressed():

        a = random.choice(JumpStatus)

        radio.send(random.choice(JumpStatus))  # a-ha

   

def run():

    while True:

        sleep(REFRESH)

        get_data()

        # Read any incoming messages.

        incoming = radio.receive()

        if incoming == 'Jump':

            display.scroll("Jump")

            print('Jump')

        elif incoming == 'Donotjump':

            display.scroll("Do not jump")

            print('Donotjump')

#display.show('J')

run()

Code to go on Python on the Pi
Python 2.7 needs to be used

"""

Code written by Martin O'Hanlon in the following blog post:

http://www.stuffaboutcode.com/2016/03/microbit-get-data-from-usb.html

edited by @warksraspijam

"""

import time

import serial

from mcpi.minecraft import Minecraft

from time import sleep

from mcpi import block as block

import random

PORT = "/dev/ttyACM0"

BAUD = 115200

s = serial.Serial(PORT)

s.baudrate = BAUD

s.parity   = serial.PARITY_NONE

s.databits = serial.EIGHTBITS

s.stopbits = serial.STOPBITS_ONE

#read the first line and flush any bad data

s.readline()

def read_microbit_data():

    #read a line from the microbit,

    data = s.readline()

    data_s = data.rstrip().split(" ")

    JumpStatus = data_s[0]

    print JumpStatus

    return JumpStatus

mc = Minecraft.create()

try:

    playerPos = mc.player.getTilePos()

    while True:

        JumpStatus = read_microbit_data()

        if JumpStatus == "Jump":

            pos = mc.player.getPos()

            #change this to teleport

            mc.player.setPos(random.randint(-100,100), random.randint(1,45),random.randint(-100,100))

            msg = JumpStatus

            mc.postToChat(msg)  

finally:

    sleep(1)

    s.close()