Make it Move with Crickit

by Anne Barela and

published July 04, 2018, last updated July 04, 2018

posted in MakeCode CircuitPython Crickit

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Beginner

Skill guide

CircuitPython

CircuitPython for Continuous DC Motors

You can learn the basics of CircuitPython with Circuit Playground Express here.

You will need install the special Crickit-optimized CircuitPython version, which will give you all the libraries already built in! See this guide on doing so.

With the special Crickit support in CircuitPython, it saves you tons of code and makes it really fast to get started.

For in-depth information on using DC motors with CircuitPython, see this page

Only the Feather Crickit, Crickit HAT and the Crickit for Circuit Playground Express support CircuitPython, the micro:bit does not support CircuitPython at present. There is no Crickit support in programming the micro:bit in MicroPython which is different than CircuitPython.

Move a Motor Forward

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import time
from adafruit_crickit import crickit

# Create one motor on seesaw motor port #1
motor = crickit.dc_motor_1

# half speed forward
motor.throttle = 0.5

# Wait forever...
while True:
    time.sleep(1)

import time
from adafruit_crickit import crickit

# Create one motor on seesaw motor port #1
motor = crickit.dc_motor_1

# half speed forward
motor.throttle = 0.5

# Wait forever...
while True:
    time.sleep(1)

Use the code above to create a single motor on port #1

Adjust the speed by changing the motor.throttle from -1.0 (backwards full speed), to 1.0 (forward full speed)
To stop, use throttle = 0
Motor will run forever!
If the motor is going the wrong way, use a negative number to reverse direction

Stop and Start using Circuit Playground Buttons

You can use the adafruit_circuitplayground.express library to make quick interactive motor projects, it's got ready-to-go button variables!

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from digitalio import DigitalInOut, Pull, Direction
from adafruit_crickit import crickit
import board
 
# Two onboard CPX buttons for input (low level saves memory)
button_a = DigitalInOut(board.BUTTON_A)
button_a.direction = Direction.INPUT
button_a.pull = Pull.DOWN

button_b = DigitalInOut(board.BUTTON_B)
button_b.direction = Direction.INPUT
button_b.pull = Pull.DOWN 

# Create one motor on seesaw motor port #1
motor = crickit.dc_motor_1

while True:
    if button_a.value:
        print("Button A pressed, go!")
        motor.throttle = 1.0  # full speed!

    if button_b.value:
        print("Button B pressed, stop!")
        motor.throttle = 0    # stop!

from digitalio import DigitalInOut, Pull, Direction
from adafruit_crickit import crickit
import board
 
# Two onboard CPX buttons for input (low level saves memory)
button_a = DigitalInOut(board.BUTTON_A)
button_a.direction = Direction.INPUT
button_a.pull = Pull.DOWN

button_b = DigitalInOut(board.BUTTON_B)
button_b.direction = Direction.INPUT
button_b.pull = Pull.DOWN 

# Create one motor on seesaw motor port #1
motor = crickit.dc_motor_1

while True:
    if button_a.value:
        print("Button A pressed, go!")
        motor.throttle = 1.0  # full speed!

    if button_b.value:
        print("Button B pressed, stop!")
        motor.throttle = 0    # stop!

In this example above, one button makes the motor run. The other button will make the motor stop.

Using the Circuit Playground Slide Switch to Change Motor Direction

Unlike MakeCode, we don't have the 'inverted' block, instead, we can keep track of the speed we want for our motor in a variable called motor_speed, then when we check the switch we can assign the throttle the positive version of that speed, or the negative of it!

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import time
from digitalio import DigitalInOut, Direction, Pull
from adafruit_crickit import crickit
import board

# Set up slide switch
switch = DigitalInOut(board.SLIDE_SWITCH)
switch.direction = Direction.INPUT
switch.pull = Pull.UP

# Create one motor on seesaw motor port #1
motor = crickit.dc_motor_1

motor_speed = 1.0  # full speed!

while True:
    if switch.value:
        motor.throttle = motor_speed    # positive, forwards!
    else:
        motor.throttle = - motor_speed  # negative means backwards!
    
    # small delay to keep from sending crickit tons of messages
    time.sleep(0.1)

import time
from digitalio import DigitalInOut, Direction, Pull
from adafruit_crickit import crickit
import board

# Set up slide switch
switch = DigitalInOut(board.SLIDE_SWITCH)
switch.direction = Direction.INPUT
switch.pull = Pull.UP

# Create one motor on seesaw motor port #1
motor = crickit.dc_motor_1

motor_speed = 1.0  # full speed!

while True:
    if switch.value:
        motor.throttle = motor_speed    # positive, forwards!
    else:
        motor.throttle = - motor_speed  # negative means backwards!
    
    # small delay to keep from sending crickit tons of messages
    time.sleep(0.1)

What if your motor goes backwards? If you'd like to switch the direction permanently without changing code, switch the wires around from the motor to Crickit.