eXperiBot construction kit
Learn all about the eXperiBot construction kit, its components, and the possibilities for combining them in any way you like.
Modules
In addition to passive components, each eXperiBot consists of various modules. Modules are hardware components that users can easily connect to each other in any order.
Currently, the following eXperiBot modules are available:
Connecting and disconnecting modules
You can connect and disconnect eXperiBot modules from each other with a simple twist—no cables, plugs, or screws required. You can orient the modules as desired within the scope of the available options.
The number and variety of modules available vary depending on the eXperiBot product.
When connecting multiple eXperiBot modules, please observe our usage hints to ensure smooth operation.
Powerbrain
The Powerbrain is the heart of your eXperiBot. It contains a microprocessor, a rechargeable battery, a Bluetooth antenna, a gyroscope, and a buzzer that can emit beep sounds. The Powerbrain controls all other connected modules. You can program it using the eXperiBot apps.
The Powerbrain has a control panel with a Status LED and five connections for additional modules.
You cannot connect multiple Powerbrains together. Each eXperiBot always has exactly one Powerbrain.
Since the Powerbrain is the main component of every eXperiBot, the terms “eXperiBot” and “Powerbrain” a often interchangable. In the eXperiBot apps, for example, it says “Connect eXperiBot,” even though the app establishes the connection with the Powerbrain’s Bluetooth antenna.
Control panel
You can use the Powerbrain control panel to turn your eXperiBot on and off and issue other commands.
Play button
Press and hold the play button to turn your eXperiBot on and off. If there is already a program on your eXperiBot, you can start and stop it at any time by briefly pressing the play button.
Action buttons
These buttons currently have no function. In the future, you will be able to program what happens when these buttons are pressed using the eXperiBot apps themselves.
Status LED
The status LED provides information about various states of the eXperiBot. For more information about all states, see section Status LED of the Powerbrain.
Charging socket
Connect the eXperiBot’s power supply to the charging socket to charge the built-in battery. For more information, see the section Charging eXperiBot.
Newer Powerbrains have an alternative control panel where the action buttons are labeled “A,” “B,” and “C.” The function of the buttons is the same for all Powerbrains, regardless of their labeling.
Status LED
Status LED of the Powerbrain
The Status LED on the Powerbrain lets you see what state your eXperiBot is currently in.
There are the following modes:
LED off
eXperiBot is turned off.
Green
eXperiBot is turned on and ready for use.
Blue
eXperiBot is connected to an eXperiBot app via Bluetooth.
Light blue
eXperiBot is connected to an eXperiBot app via Bluetooth and is currently executing a program.
White
eXperiBot is not connected to an eXperiBot app and is currently running a program from the memory of the Powerbrain.
Red (temporary)
eXperiBot cannot (continue to) execute a program due to an error. For more information, see the section Possible programming errors in the eXperiBot Blockly app.
Yellow flashing
eXperiBot is connected to the power supply and is charging.
Yellow
eXperiBot is connected to the power supply and is fully charged.
Pink
eXperiBot is in update mode. If the LED continues to show pink, even after switching the eXperiBot on and off, it must be restored.
Pink flashing
eXperiBot is in update mode and is currently being updated.
Status LEDs of other eXperiBot modules
All other eXperiBot modules, apart from the Cube, also have a Status LED.
These can have the following states:
LED off
The module is not connected to a Powerbrain or the Powerbrain is turned off.
Blue, yellow, green, white, light blue, purple
The module is connected to a powered-on Powerbrain and is ready for use. In this state, the module can be clearly identified by the color of the status LED. For more information, see the section Distinguishing between identical modules.
Red steady or flashing (alternating between off and any color)
The module is connected to a powered-on eXperiBot but cannot establish or maintain a constant connection. For more information, see the Help and Troubleshooting section.
Pink
The module is in an error state, and you may need to restore it. For more information, see the Help and Troubleshooting section.
Pink flashing
The module is currently being restored.
If the status LED of a module remains off regardless of what you try, you can find more information in the Help and Troubleshooting section.
Due to its design, the Motor module has two LEDs, but only the LED on the side with the red axle serves as a status LED.
Charging eXperiBot
To charge your eXperiBot, plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet and connect the plug to the charging socket on the Powerbrain’s control panel.
Please only use the included 9-volt power supply to charge the eXperiBot!
After charging the eXperiBot for 30 minutes, you can already use it for 60 minutes. During charging, the Powerbrain’s Status LED flashes yellow.
While your eXperiBot is charging, you cannot connect it to and use it with the eXperiBot apps for safety reasons.
If you forget to turn off your eXperiBot, don’t worry… It will automatically turn itself off after a certain amount of time if it is not used and the battery level is low.
To extend the battery life, you should charge your eXperiBot regularly until the Status LED lights up yellow continuously.
Programs on the eXperiBot
As soon as you start a program in one of the eXperiBot apps, it is uploaded into the Powerbrain’s memory, where it remains—even if you switch off your eXperiBot. Only when you run a new program will the eXperiBot overwrite the previous program.
You can start and stop a program running on the eXperiBot at any time by briefly pressing the Play button on the Powerbrain.
Distinguishing between eXperiBots
All eXperiBots can be clearly distinguished from one another by a three-digit combination of numbers and letters. You will find this designation on your Powerbrain.
You will need this name when connecting to the eXperiBot apps if there are several eXperiBots switched on in your environment.
Since the designation is used for the unique assignment of eXperiBots or Powerbrains, it cannot be changed. The factory sets it.
Older eXperiBots may initially be displayed as “T2BOT” until they have been updated for the first time.
Distinguishing between identical modules
All eXperiBot modules (except the Cube) have a Status LED that can display one of six colors when the module is correctly connected to a powered eXperiBot. These colors are blue, yellow, green, white, light blue, and purple.
These colors uniquely identify eXperiBot modules. This feature allows you to clearly distinguish multiple modules of the same type, e.g., two Multisensor modules, from each other. This is important when you program your eXperiBot with one of the eXperiBot apps1. Only through unique assignment can your program control the correct module on your robot.
By default, modules appear blue. If you connect another module of the same type, the system assigns it a different color. The assigned color remains the same even after you restart the eXperiBot and disassemble and reassemble it.
This is necessary so that eXperiBots remain compatible with their current program even after a restart.
You can change the LED color of the eXperiBot modules using the eXperiBot apps1. You can find more information on this in the section for the respective app.
1) The exception here is the eXperiBot Kids app, as it always requires the same eXperiBot configuration, in which no modules of the same type are used.
Motor
The motor module makes your eXperiBot move. It contains two independently controllable motors that can connect to other components, such as wheels, via axles.
The motor module has a Status LED (on the side with the red axle) and three connections for additional modules.
The two electric motors of the motor module feature two differently colored axles—one red and one blue. You can reference these axles when programming the eXperiBot and therefore control them as desired.
To ensure that the directions forward and backward can be clearly distinguished, install the motor in the correct orientation. Position the red axle on the left in the direction of travel.
If your eXperiBot ever moves in the wrong direction (e.g., moves backward when given the command “move forward”), you should change the orientation of the motor module as described above.
If your eXperiBot does not drive straight ahead even though you have set the same speed for the red and blue axles, try adjusting the speeds of the axles individually. Since the motors of the motor module are controlled exclusively by voltage, one motor does not know how fast the other is rotating, which can lead to deviations.
Pivot
The pivot module gives your eXperiBot the ability to perform tilting movements. It contains a motor that allows the pivot to move itself and all connected components 180° like a hinge.
The Pivot module has a Status LED and one connection for additional modules.
When programming the Pivot, you can specify an exact angle between -90° and 90° that the module should occupy. You can also move the Pivot module by hand. Since you can read the current angle of the module at any time, you can use the Pivot as a joystick, for example.
Especially when combined with the Twister, the Pivot module opens up a wide range of movement possibilities for your eXperiBot.
Twister
The Twister module gives your eXperiBot the ability to perform rotational movements. It contains a motor that enables the Twister to move itself and all connected components 180° like a screw.
The Twister module has a Status LED and one connection for additional modules.
When programming the Twister, you can specify an exact angle between -90° and 90° that the module should occupy. You can also move the Twister module by hand. Since you can read the current angle of the module at any time, you can use the Twister as a joystick, for example.
Especially when combined with the Pivot, the Twister module opens up a wide range of movement possibilities for your eXperiBot.
Grabber
The Grabber module gives your eXperiBot the ability to grasp and hold objects. It contains a motor that enables the three gripper arms to close and open.
The Grabber module has a Status LED and no connections for additional modules.
When grasping objects, the Grabber module’s gripper arms automatically stop for safety reasons if they encounter sufficient resistance.
In combination with other eXperiBot modules, such as the Pivot, Twister, or Motor, the Grabber module enables your eXperiBot to transport objects.
Thanks to the uniform connection, you can also replace the Grabber module’s gripper arms with other passive components.
Multisensor
The Multisensor module gives your eXperiBot the ability to observe its environment. It combines a variety of sensors whose data you can read and use during programming.
Status LED
Illumination LED and sensor unit with infrared, color, and ambient light sensor
Infrared sensor 1
Infrared sensor 2
The Multisensor module has a Status LED and no connections for additional modules.
The sensor unit in the center of the module measures the distance to objects, the color of objects, and the light intensity in the room. It also contains a bright LED light that automatically turns on during relevant measurements to minimize the disruptive influence of ambient light on the measurement results.
When measuring distances to objects with infrared sensors, you must take into account the reflectivity or brightness of the respective object. The brighter the object, the earlier the sensor detects it. Depending on the object, measured values may therefore be higher or lower at the same distance. During programming, you can specify a threshold value to compensate for this effect.
The module has two dedicated infrared sensors on the side, which are angled outwards. These sensors measure the reflectivity or brightness of objects, and because of their positioning, they can be used to follow lines on the play mats of the various eXperiBot products.
If several eXperiBots with Multisensor modules move next to each other and take measurements using one of the infrared sensors, they may influence each other and thus distort the measurements. The same applies to any external infrared emitters in the environment that are directed at the Multisensor module.
The Multisensor module differs in color from all other eXperiBot modules. This not only serves to visually distinguish between sensor and actuator modules but also has practical purposes: The black color of the housing means that measurement results, e.g., for distance measurement using infrared sensors, are not distorted as much as they would be with a white housing.
If you encounter difficulties using the Multisensor, please first refer to Help and Troubleshooting. The document discusses many of the Multisensor’s features.
Cube
The Cube module allows you to connect additional modules to your eXperiBot in various arrangements. It is not programmable itself but forwards signals to all connected modules.
The Cube module has no Status LED and five connections for additional modules.
With the Cube module, you can implement many creative design ideas that would not be possible without it.
Passive components
Unlike modules, passive components do not contain any electronics. You can use them to construct a wide variety of robots.
Are you having trouble separating components? You can find useful tips in our usage hints.
Cubies, axles, spacers, and gears
Cubies are construction blocks that can be connected to other passive components using a standardized system.
Wheels
Use wheels to make your eXperiBot roll or to construct feet. To attach them to your eXperiBot, you will need axles and usually spacers.
Brick adapters
You can attach the brick adapters to most modules, allowing eXperiBot to be combined with other well-known building block systems.
You can also use the brick adapters as barriers or platforms.
Usage hints
Using multiple modules on one eXperiBot
Please ensure that you do not connect more than four eXperiBot modules to the same side of the Powerbrain, as malfunctions may occur due to the large distance.
Please also ensure that you do not connect more than six eXperiBot modules (excluding Cubes) to a Powerbrain, as this may cause malfunctions due to high power consumption and data exchange.
Separation of passive components
Separating components can sometimes prove difficult. With a separator quickly assembled from Cubies, you can separate stuck components from each other with a lever movement.
