Ultra-fast SPIKE wall follower robot with laser distance sensor in word blocks.

Don't worry, this laser can't damage your eyes! Check out this video to see how much better it performs in a wall follower robot. The sensor is extremely fast and accurate, much more so than the included LEGO distance sensor. Unlike the ultrasonic sensor, it works under large angles and can spot soft objects. But - this is the cool thing - just like the LEGO sensor you can use word blocks to program it!
The sensor contains a 940nm Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCEL). It uses Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) to catch reflected light and calculates the distance using light speed! Sounds like Star Trek? It's real!
ERROR CORRECTION: In the movie, I tell you that tweaking the sensor settings can make it report longer distances than just 1200mm. This is only partly true. The specific model I'm using doesn't range much further than that. However, the LPF2 protocol allows for sensors with a longer range than 200cm. That part is true.
💬 Please like and ask any questions you have in the comments!
-- Chapters --
00:00:00 Laser range finder vs ultrasonic range finder
00:01:45 Building instructions and parts
00:06:30 Word blocks (Scratch) program
00:09:46 Ultrasonic versus Laser Time of Flight sensor
00:13:25 Esp8266 code for emulating LPF2
00:17:01 Wrap up: what will you build?
-- Links --
Code repository and example projects:
👉 github.com/ant...
Distance sensor:
👉 s.click.aliexp...
Breakout board:
👉 antonsmindstor...
Get the T-Shirt 👕 here:
👉 shop.spreadshi...
Support 🙏 my work:
👉 / antonsmindstorms
For complete building instructions 📄 and in-depth articles go to:
👉 www.antonsmind...

[@kammunchan5228]

Hi Anton, i bought your new version of ESP board. I managed to load up the 3 python programs into the ESP board and uartremote into the Spike Hub accordingly using thornny app. From the thornny app, i can see the lase sensor is reading, but when i coonect to my spike hub, i can see the sensor detected but no distance was reading - shown only 200cm. Any help is much appreciated. (I was trying to work this on Spike scratch program btw)

[@jc155001]

Can I buy the Esp8266 board with the code to translate signal already installed on it and with the rangefinder sensor attached. Also with the breakout board. Could you sell that to me in a package? What would it cost?

[@nickroussos3313]

Anton, thank you for this incredible insight. What would happen if O directly connected a UART TOF sensor to the RX/TX pins of the Spike breakout board? How would I tell the hub that a Ultrasonic sensor was connected?

[@AntonsMindstorms]

The hub only understands a very specific LEGO UART protocol. That's why you need the ESP board in between. We have new version called LMS-ESP32, which also features votlage conversion! www.antonsmindstorms.com/product/wifi-python-esp32-board-for-mindstorms/

[@alexandrep6856]

Outstanding

[@yi-jenyang9570]

Hi there! I just wanted to say that your RUclips channel is super cool and very helpful. I just got my first SPIKE prime LEGO kit- have you done any CAD designs or programming before with yours yet? If so, do you have any suggestions or advice with using them. The one I'm trying to figure out is LDraw. Thanks in advance!

[@AntonsMindstorms]

Use Bricklink Studio, it is much easier to use.

[@turinreza]

@@AntonsMindstorms how do you track when a laser hits something (like a red circle)?.
have you used the PI-HAT board yet? allows up to 4 motors

[@AntonsMindstorms]

@turinreza tried it and disliked it. Big hassle. You could track a laser with an open mv cam. The ir version could work even better.

[@woutervanderharg]

What happens if you put the original sensor 90 degrees? Will the accuracy improve for this situation?

[@ThatUntitledPublisher]

HOLD YOUR HORSES,
He made the robot run slower in the start of the video with the ultra sonic sensor, they have THE SAME FUNCTIONS.
He's not running these test fairly.

[@AntonsMindstorms]

If I'd run it faster it would hit the wall. Try it for yourself.