Purpose
The PySTEM Mini Bot is designed to provide an accessible way for kids to learn programming while offering a low-cost alternative to expensive robotics kits like Lego SpikePrime and EV3.
💰 Affordable Learning
Complete robotics education for roughly $60 - making programming accessible to everyone!
About the PySTEM Mini Bot
The PySTEM mini bot is a compact, child-friendly educational tool featuring a robust 3D-printed chassis powered by a 6V battery. It includes a simple browser-based IDE supporting Python programming, making it perfect for beginners to learn coding through interactive robotics.
With servo-powered wheels equipped with encoders for precise movements and an infrared color sensor, the car can perform various tasks including line following and obstacle navigation.
Development Journey
Creating the PySTEM Mini Bot involved overcoming several engineering challenges:
Accessibility: Wiring and run button placement needed optimization for easier use
Power Management: Initial battery capacity was insufficient, requiring power optimization
Hardware Selection: Tested multiple microcontrollers before settling on ESP32 with built-in sockets to avoid soldering
Precision Engineering: Encoder accuracy and servo power variance required careful calibration
Manufacturing Quality: 3D printing design optimization for reliability and durability
🔓 Commitment to Open Source
We believe that education should be accessible to everyone. That's why we're making the PySTEM Mini Bot completely open source, providing you with everything you need to build, modify, and improve upon this project.
📂 What You'll Find in Our Repository
🖥️ Software
- Complete IDE source code
- Robot control firmware
- Example programs
🔧 Hardware
- 3D printable STL files
- Assembly instructions
📚 Documentation
- Programming tutorials
- Troubleshooting tips
