Make: Very Useful Monsters - RalfE

Meet Ralf-E

It's your Robotic Assistant for Learning the FUNdamentals of Electronics! Make your own animatronic character that responds to your voice and music; experiment with sensor inputs to make a room alarm sentry; code simple AI to interact with certain motion or movements; turn your little creature into a mini-monster theremin and create your own music!

Learn the basic concepts of MakeCode using the micro:bit BBC. Begin with connecting the micro:bit to your computer and getting familiar with the board itself and the interface by using simple code experiments to start.

Next, we'll introduce you to the Makey:bit, an extension board for the micro:bit that allows you to easily hook-up and use the pins for the micro:bit to connect servos and more. It includes two dedicated servo ports that draw directly from the onboard battery pack for full power to your projects without being tethered to a computer. You can learn more about the Makey:bit here.

All of these combine together with our awesome Monster Body stand, which fits nicely on your desktop and allows easy access to all of the back connections on the Makey:bit. The 3D printed stand features Glow-in-the-Dark filament for the eyes, with a special pop-out for your final monster builds servo and eye-gears.

Finally Let's Make your Monster! Now it's time to bring your creature to life by adding a servo eye-gear set and googly eyes, use your code to set servo responses to sound, vibration or light. 

Download one of our Makey:bit skins or make your own monstrous DIY creation!

Project Overview

Level 1 — Spark Starter
micro:bit and Makey:bit board tour → LEDs + Basic Components → first circuit and code install - Monster Build, Heartbeat and LED Eye 
Level 2 — Animatronic Face
Sound + Servo → inputs controlling outputs - Sing Along and Lip Sync'r
Level 3 — Monster Music and Voice
Light, Energy and Noise → energy, resistance and musical concepts - Light Theremin, Voice Recorder and Monster Scream'r
Level 4 — Sentry and Guardian Mode
Sensor Inputs + Sound Outputs → activation through touch, light and sound - Tilt, Sound and Light Alarms
Level 5 — Your Monster Pet
Put it all together!

Monster Maker’s Toolbox → Turn your monster into a toolkit with this cool code!

• Level - Compass - Tester - Distance Calculator

Deluxe Kit Includes:

• 1 x Micro:bit w/ USB Cable
• 1 x Makey:bit w/Booklet
• 1 x 180 Motor
• 3 x LEDs (1 Flasher, 1 Large, 1 Bright White)
• 1 x LED RGB Chip
• 1 x Nylon Screw and Nut
• 1 x 3D Printed Monster Body w/Eye Cover & 4x Plastic Pegs
  
• 2 x FF - Dupont to Dupont Wires
• 3 x MF - Dupont to Dupont Wires
• 2 x F-Dupont to Alligator Clip 
• 2 x Alligator to Alligator Clip 
• 1 x Spade to Dupont Wire Set
• 1 x Push Button
• 4 x Blue Twist Ties
• 2 x Stick-On Googly Eyes (+2 Bonus Eyes)
• 1 x 3D Printed Ralf-E Parts Pack
  
  • 1 x 3D Printed Spikey Blue Mouth
  • 2 x 3D Printed White Eye-Gears
  • 4 x 3D Printed Tentacle-Brows (2x White / 2 Purple)
• 1 x Plastic Parts Case
• Ages 8 and up
• Computer, phone or tablet required for programming the micro:bit, not included
• 3 AA Batteries required for makey:bit, also not included

Already have a micro:bit? Got a 3D Printer? Make Your Own Parts!

More Step by Step and Video Tutorials at veryusefulmonsters.com 

*The Makey:bit is also compatible with these microcontrollers (sold separately):

• • • Adafruit CLUE
    • BrainPad Pulse
    • BrainPad Tick
    • Pico:ed Board

R.A.L.F.E. — Really Awesome Little Friendly Electroniform

R.A.L.F.E. — Robotic Ally for Learning Fun Electronics

R.A.L.F   —  Really Adorable Little Fella

R.A.L.F   —  Really Awesome Little Friend