My goal was to assemble 10 micro:bit based robotics kits for around $100 each. I also wanted to show some variations of components, like 2 different motors and 3 different servos. There are no building parts in these kits, just components. Use cardboard, recyclables, craft stuff, laser cut or 3D printed parts, or LEGO’s you have.
(I have a spreadsheet of a larger variety of components to consider)
micro:bit ($18-20 bought as a 10 pack) https://www.adafruit.com/product/4833 or https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17290 )
Elecfreaks Wukong expansion board ($25) from https://www.amazon.com/Elecfreaks-microbit-Expansion-Adapter-Breakout/dp/B08KGGGQ5Z or https://www.elecfreaks.com/wukong-board-with-lego-holder-for-micro-bit.html
chosen for price, motor capability, rechargeable battery, 5V for servos, IIC , has neopixels
MOTORS (many options)
DC Motor Mini Electric Motor 1.5-3V 24000RPM ($1.75 (15 for $26))
https://www.amazon.com/EUDAX-Rectangular-Electric-24000RPM-Mounting/dp/B075TBWMQ8
typical motor found in science kits & inexpensive
DC Electric TT Prewired Gear Motor Wheel Kit 3-6V ($5.50 (4 for $11)) https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Prewired-Intelligent-Ardu-ino-Four-Wheel/dp/B098Q1BCX5
typical motor for robot kits
SERVOS (many options, variety of prices, degrees of rotation and torques)
Sparkleiot 360 Degree Continuous Rotation ($5.50 (4 for $22)) https://www.amazon.com/Sparkleiot-Continuous-kittenblock-Compatible-Blocks%EF%BC%88Pack/dp/B0B3RN7C64
inexpensive 360 continuous servo, to compare with motors
SG90 servo (180 degree) (labeled S51) ($4 (10 for $20)) https://www.amazon.com/Smraza-Helicopter-Airplane-Control-Arduino/dp/B07L2SF3R4
inexpensive servo
MG995 servo (180 degree) ($5 (4 pack $20)) https://www.amazon.com/Control-Angle180-Digital-Torque-Helicopter/dp/B07NQJ1VZ2
more expensive servo, also more powerful
30 mm Arcade buttons ($2 (10 pack $10)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5DVINY
IR distance sensor ($2 (5 for $10)) https://www.amazon.com/Gikfun-avoidance-Reflective-Photoelectric-Intensity/dp/B07FJLMLVZ
HCSR04 ultrasonic distance sensor ($2 (5 for $10)) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01COSN7O6
OLED 0.96” IIC 128×64 ($3 (5 for $15)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C5K91H7
need a display, this gives nice variety
10k Potentiometer (dials) ($1.50 (30 for $15)) https://www.amazon.com/Taiss-Potentiometer-Control-Plastic-Terminals/dp/B0B8Y8TMWJ
3 to be able control RGB input values to the LED/neopixel strips
Large 5V LED/neopixels ($1.50 (strand 50 for $15)) https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-LED-Individually-Addressable-Waterproof/dp/B01AG923GI?th=1
Small neopixels ($1.60 (strand 150 for $16)) https://www.amazon.com/BTF-LIGHTING-Individual-Addressable-150Pixels-Non-Waterproof/dp/B088BB8WTZ?th=1
WIRES
The wires you need depend on the expansion board and components.
You can never have too many wires… (get more because they disappear easily)
There are 6 different to choose from :
gator to gator
gator to socket
gator to pin (I can only find gator to pin & gator to socket as a package)
pin to pin
socket to socket
pin to socket (these last 3 can be bought as a combo pack or single style)
Gator to pin/gator to socket (4 each) ($3.20 (20 for $8)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WBWT8CF
20 cm socket to socket (12) ($0.84 (120 for $8)) https://www.amazon.com/EDGELEC-Breadboard-Optional-Assorted-Multicolored/dp/B07GCY6CH7?th=1
20 cm socket to pin (4) ($0.28 (120 for $8)) https://www.amazon.com/EDGELEC-Breadboard-Optional-Assorted-Multicolored/dp/B07GD1TFBR?th=1
All of this fits in a 7”x6”x3” box ($0.90 (25 for $22)) https://www.amazon.com/25%EF%BC%8CLivejun-Corrugated-Cardboard-Packaging-Shipping%EF%BC%8CBoxes/dp/B0BRXNGQD7
Total cost per kit (excluding shipping) $85.57
And these boxes fit in a Cricut bag ($32 ($16 each)) https://www.amazon.com/Carrying-Compatible-Cricut-Explore-Supplies/dp/B07VFBKYZM
(it takes 2 bags for 10 kits, with some extra room for “spare parts”)
(so we should add $3.20 to the price of each kit — $88.77)
There are many companies that have assembled their own kits.
Some companies to look at if you want to just purchase a kit
(some are British, since the micro:bit is a BBC project ; some are Chinese since they often have the lowest prices ; some are distributor sites)
https://www.keyestudio.com/collections/microbit-375
https://www.sparkfun.com/microbit
https://www.elecfreaks.com/micro-bit/kits.html
https://kitronik.co.uk/collections/microbit-and-accessories
https://stemeducationworks.com/microbit-kits/
https://thepihut.com/collections/micro-bit-kits-bundles
https://www.dfrobot.com/topic-281-140.html
https://www.kittenbot.cc/collections/all/microbit?page=1
As always, there is Amazon for window shopping
Next step for me is making a label for what is in the box and videos of how to code each component in makecode
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