As has been highlighted in the most recent BBC micro:bit newsletter, we have just launched a new and improved version of our very popular Motor Driver Board for the BBC micro:bit, The Motor Driver Board V2.

V2 brings complete access to all of the BBC microbits I/O pins via the extra pads that have been added to the rear of the board and this greatly expands the possibilities for your BBC micro:bit driven projects.

Motor Driver Board For The BBC micro:bit V2 Design Aims:

Allow users to access all of the BBC microbits I/O pins. – Check.
Not lose any of its original functionality – Check.
Still be able to be used with Kits such as the Line following buggy – Check.
To have the same general design and layout as the original board – Check.
The new pins need to be able to be soldered – Check.
The new pins need to be the correct spacing for our PCB pin headers – Check.

Motor Driver Board For The BBC microbit V2 Features:

V2 includes an integrated Edge Connector slot for your BBC micro:bit to easily slot into. It also features external connections to the Buttons A and B inputs. This allows additional switches to be connected to the motor driver board and the state of these can then be read by the BBC microbit.

Drive 2 motors with full forward, reverse and stop control.
Terminal blocks for easy connection of motors and inputs.
4 inputs (2 analogue inputs and 2 provide external connections to Buttons A and B as inputs).
Includes Edge Connector for the BBC micro:bit to slot into.
Provide regulated power to the BBC microbit.
Access the other BBC micro:bit pins easily and conveniently.

Examples Of How You Might Use The Extra I/O:

The Motor Driver board already features in our Line following Buggy kit, V2 has been designed so that it will still fit this kit but the extra I/O means that your buggy can easily be modified to do so much more than just follow a line.

Try fitting the buggy with extra lights.
You can connect sensors to the buggy to allow you to build a maze solving robot.
With a modified base plate, you could even connect a second motor driver to control another pair of motors for a 4 motor buggy. Your single BBC micro:bit could be used to control the I/O for both motor driver boards.

You can find out more information about the Motor Driver Board V2 here.

To be first in the queue for BBC microbit related news, sign up to our BBC micro:bit newsletter here.