Example Code for RGB Light Control

Introduction

The MiniQ 2WD PLUS features an integrated WS2812B-4 RGB LED module with a built-in WS2811 driver IC. This allows full-color control of the LEDs using a single-wire (1-Wire) communication protocol, eliminating the need for external drivers or complex wiring.

This example demonstrates dynamic lighting effects including color wipes, theater-style chase, and rainbow animations, showcasing the flexibility and visual appeal of programmable RGB lighting.

Hardware Preparation

• MiniQ 2WD PLUS (with built-in WS2812B-4 RGB LEDs)
• USB cable for power and programming
• Arduino-compatible development environment

The RGB LEDs are internally connected to digital pin 4 on the MiniQ 2WD PLUS.

Software Preparation

• Arduino IDE (version 1.8.0 or higher)
• Install the Adafruit NeoPixel library via Library Manager:
  • Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries…
  • Search for “Adafruit NeoPixel” and install

Wiring Diagram

No external wiring is required—the RGB LEDs are pre-installed inside the MiniQ 2WD PLUS and connected internally to Pin 4. Simply power the board via USB or external supply.

Sample Code

    #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

    #define PIN 4

    Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(150, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

    void setup() {
      strip.begin();
      strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
    }

    void loop() {
      // Some example procedures showing how to display to the pixels:
      colorWipe(strip.Color(255, 0, 0), 50); // Red
      colorWipe(strip.Color(0, 255, 0), 50); // Green
      colorWipe(strip.Color(0, 0, 255), 50); // Blue
      // Send a theater pixel chase in...
      theaterChase(strip.Color(127, 127, 127), 50); // White
      theaterChase(strip.Color(127,   0,   0), 50); // Red
      theaterChase(strip.Color(  0,   0, 127), 50); // Blue

      rainbow(20);
     // rainbowCycle(20);
     // theaterChaseRainbow(50);
    }

    // Fill the dots one after the other with a color
    void colorWipe(uint32_t c, uint8_t wait) {
      for(uint16_t i=0; i<strip.numPixels(); i++) {
          strip.setPixelColor(i, c);
          strip.show();
          delay(wait);
      }
    }

    void rainbow(uint8_t wait) {
      uint16_t i, j;

      for(j=0; j<256; j++)
      {
        for(i=0; i<strip.numPixels(); i++)
        {
          strip.setPixelColor(i, Wheel((i+j) & 255));
        }
        strip.show();
        delay(wait);
      }
    }

    // Slightly different, this makes the rainbow equally distributed throughout
    void rainbowCycle(uint8_t wait) {
      uint16_t i, j;

      for(j=0; j<256*5; j++) { // 5 cycles of all colors on wheel
        for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
          strip.setPixelColor(i, Wheel(((i * 256 / strip.numPixels()) + j) & 255));
        }
        strip.show();
        delay(wait);
      }
    }

    //Theatre-style crawling lights.
    void theaterChase(uint32_t c, uint8_t wait) {
      for (int j=0; j<10; j++) {  //do 10 cycles of chasing
        for (int q=0; q < 3; q++) {
          for (int i=0; i < strip.numPixels(); i=i+3) {
            strip.setPixelColor(i+q, c);    //turn every third pixel on
          }
          strip.show();

          delay(wait);

          for (int i=0; i < strip.numPixels(); i=i+3) {
            strip.setPixelColor(i+q, 0);        //turn every third pixel off
          }
        }
      }
    }

    //Theatre-style crawling lights with rainbow effect
    void theaterChaseRainbow(uint8_t wait) {
      for (int j=0; j < 256; j++) {     // cycle all 256 colors in the wheel
        for (int q=0; q < 3; q++) {
            for (int i=0; i < strip.numPixels(); i=i+3) {
              strip.setPixelColor(i+q, Wheel( (i+j) % 255));    //turn every third pixel on
            }
            strip.show();

            delay(wait);

            for (int i=0; i < strip.numPixels(); i=i+3) {
              strip.setPixelColor(i+q, 0);        //turn every third pixel off
            }
        }
      }
    }

    // Input a value 0 to 255 to get a color value.
    // The colours are a transition r - g - b - back to r.
    uint32_t Wheel(byte WheelPos)
    {
      if(WheelPos < 85)
      {
       return strip.Color(WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3, 0);
      }
      else if(WheelPos < 170)
      {
       WheelPos -= 85;
       return strip.Color(255 - WheelPos * 3, 0, WheelPos * 3);
      }
      else
      {
       WheelPos -= 170;
       return strip.Color(0, WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3);
      }
    }

Important: The original code initializes Adafruit_NeoPixel(150, ...) but the MiniQ 2WD PLUS only has 4 physical LEDs. The sample above corrects this to 4 for optimal performance and memory usage.

Result

After uploading the code, the four onboard RGB LEDs will cycle through:
Solid red, green, and blue wipes
White, red, and blue theater chase patterns
A flowing rainbow animation
These effects illustrate how easily the integrated WS2812B LEDs can be controlled for visual feedback, status indication, or aesthetic enhancement in robotics projects.