Maqueen Plus V3 - STEM Educational micro:bit Robot with Matrix Laser Ranging (18650 Battery)

1. Getting Started

This comprehensive guide covers the safe use and installation of AA and 18650 batteries for Maqueen Plus V3, detailing battery types, safety precautions, storage instructions, and programming tutorials with MakeCode to ensure optimal performance and user safety.

2. Example Code for Starting Maqueen Plus V3

This article offers practical example code for programming the Maqueen Plus V3 robot to move forward at a specified speed and control its RGB vehicle lights using the MakeCode Editor, providing insights into hardware and software setup for optimal performance.

3. Example Code for Car Turning and RGB Light Control

This article explains how to control car turning using differential motor speeds and advanced RGB lighting setups, featuring the Maqueen Plus V3 and optional micro:bit V2 buzzer activation.

4. Example Code for Quick Line Tracking

The article provides an example code for the Maqueen Plus V3 robot to follow a black line using a built-in line-tracking algorithm, allowing micro:bit to handle additional tasks like obstacle avoidance and music while showcasing vehicle lights with seven colors and customizable RGB LED settings.

5. Example Code for Regular Line Tracking Program

The article showcases example codes for Maqueen Plus V3's line tracking program using digital and analog sensors, explaining hardware and software setup, logic overview, and result interpretation for precise robot navigation.

6. Example Code for PID Control and Vehicle Speed Detection

This article demonstrates how Maqueen Plus V3 uses magnetic encoders for PID-controlled motion and real-time speed feedback, with example code for autonomous and sensor-driven behaviors.

7. Example Code for Light Sensor – Light-Avoiding and Light-Chasing Robots

This project shows how to use light sensors on the Maqueen Plus V3 robot to create light-following or light-avoiding behaviors, with example code and basic setup instructions for educational robotics projects.

8. Example Code for Infrared Remote Control

This article demonstrates how to use infrared remote control with Maqueen Plus V3 robot by decoding IR signals and mapping them to actions like moving and turning. It includes example codes for reading remote signals and controlling the robot, facilitating custom programming and enhancing user interaction with robots.

9. Example Code for Intersection Recognition

This project demonstrates hardware-level intersection recognition on the Maqueen Plus V3, enabling simple and reliable autonomous navigation using MakeCode.

10. Example Code for Matrix Laser Ranging Sensor

This article demonstrates how to use the Matrix Laser Ranging Sensor on Maqueen Plus V3 for accurate obstacle detection and autonomous behaviors with example code.

Function difference table of Maqueen Plus V2 / V3

Name	Maqueen Plus V2	Maqueen Plus V3
WS2812 RGB ×4	✔	✔
Infrared receiving sensor×1	✔	✔
Bottom acrylic protection	✔	✔
Buzzer×1	✔	✔
Line-tracking sensor calibration function	✔	✔
Ultrasonic distance sensor	✔	Upgrade to matrix lidar
LED Car headlights ×2	✔	Upgrade to RGB lights
RGB Car headlights ×2	×	✔
Matrix laser sensor	×	✔
Light sensor ×2	×	✔
Motor encoder and PID control	×	✔
Chip-level built-in line-tracking function	×	✔
Chip-level built-in intersection recognition function	×	✔
The motor is detachable	×	✔
Special voltage stabilizing circuit for the motor	×	✔
The firmware is upgradable	×	✔
Adjustable-angle metal bracket	×	✔
Whether it supports the unihiker Board K10	×	✔
Does the user need to assemble	×	✔

Product Parameters

Power Parameters

Parameter	Specification
AA Battery Version	3.5V – 6V (4 × AA: 1.5V alkaline or 1.2V Ni-MH)
18650 Battery Version	3.5V – 4.2V (1 × rechargeable 18650 Li-ion)
Charging Port	TYPE-C / MicroUSB
Charging Voltage	5V 1A
Battery Reverse Connection Protection	Supported
Battery Level Display	5-segment digital tube
Charging Indicator	Digital tube: red during charging, green when fully charged; supports charging while powered off

Line-Tracking Sensor

Parameter	Specification
Number of Sensors	5
Calibration Button	1
Output Type	Switching quantity / Analog quantity
Intersection Recognition	Crossroad, T-shaped, Right+Straight, Left+Straight (4 types)
Built-in Line-Tracking Function	Supported
Built-in Line-Tracking Speed Levels	5 gears (Level 1 – 5)

RGB Light

Parameter	Specification
WS2812 RGB LEDs	4
WS2812 Color Range	R255 × G255 × B255 (16.7 million colors)
RGB Car Lights	2
Car Light Colors	Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Purple, Cyan, White

Light Sensor

Parameter	Specification
Number of Sensors	2
Data Range	0 – 1023

Matrix Laser Sensor

Parameter	Specification
Number of Sensors	1
Supply Voltage	3.3V – 5V
Data Interfaces	I²C / UART / USB
Physical Interfaces	PH2.0-4P (Gravity) / TYPE-C
Matrix Size	8×8 (64 measurement points)
Function Modes	Matrix measurement mode / Intelligent obstacle avoidance mode
I²C Address	0x30 / 0x31 / 0x32 / 0x33 (4 selectable)
Firmware Update	Via USB
Ranging Mode	Continuous
Ranging Speed	15 Hz
Ranging Range	20 mm – 4000 mm
Ranging Accuracy	• 20–200 mm: ±11 mm (white), ±12 mm (light gray/gray) • 200–4000 mm: ±5% (white), ±6% (light gray/gray)
Field of View	Horizontal 60°, Vertical 60°, Diagonal 90°
Laser Safety	Class 1 (eye-safe)

Motor

Parameter	Specification
Number of Motors	2
Motor Model	N20 metal gear motor
Motor Interface	PH2.0-2P
Motor Power Supply	Independent 5V regulated supply
Disassembly Method	Screw-fixed (M3 screws)

Motor Encoder and PID

Parameter	Specification
Encoders	2
Sensing Method	Magnetic induction
Encoder Resolution	4-line
PID Control Capabilities	Distance control (±2 cm), Angle control (±5°)
Speed Measurement Unit	Centimeters per minute (cm/min)

Infrared Receiver and Buzzer

Component	Quantity
Infrared Receiver Sensor	1
Buzzer	1

Expansion Interface and Other Configurations

Parameter	Specification
Metal Bracket Parts	2
Adjustment Axis	1-axis
Adjustment Angle Range	270°
Bracket Fastening	4 × M3 hand-twisted metal screws
PCB Threaded Mounting Holes	2
Firmware Upgrade	1 button + interface
Extended GPIOs	14
Bottom Protection	1 × acrylic plate

Safety Precautions

Since Maqueen Plus is a STEM education product and is presented in a bare - board form, the following safety precautions should be noted during use:

The use of batteries must strictly comply with the battery usage methods and safety precautions. Otherwise, it may damage the product and cause risks such as overheating and combustion.
Do not touch the product, especially the circuit board part and the battery part, with sharp objects like screwdrivers. This is to avoid damaging components or causing danger.
Do not touch the product's circuit board with metal objects to prevent short - circuits, which can damage the product and lead to risks such as overheating and combustion.
The product is not waterproof and should not come into contact with liquid substances such as water and beverages. If liquid is accidentally spilled on the product, immediately turn off the power and remove the battery. Only attempt to power it on after the moisture has completely dried.
When storing the product, do not stack multiple products together to avoid component damage, and even the risk of power short - circuits, which may cause fires and personal injury.