Bump Switch Bot

A robot that detects walls with simple microswitches mounted on the front instead of complex sensors, an idea from Dan's friend Michael York. The microswitches cost under $1.

Source book: STEM Robots
Kit page: https://dmccreary.github.io/stem-robots/kits/bump-switch-bot/
Printable one-pager: bump-switch-bot-one-pager.html

Features

• Uses the Bump / Limit Switch
• Uses the Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040

Benefits

• Free, open lessons: the STEM Robots textbook has the kit page, wiring, and MicroPython code.
• Try before you build: an interactive MicroSim on the kit page runs in the browser.
• Budget: about $20 (base robot $19 plus microswitches under $1).

Parts

• Raspberry Pi Pico ($4) — Microcontroller
• Bump / Limit Switch — Input button / switch
• 830-Point Breadboard ($1.10) — Breadboard
• Micro-USB Data Cable ($2.50) — Power and programming cable