Robot Brain Mission 2 - Give It A Heartbeat Pupil Notes

Mission 2: Give It A Heartbeat

Big Question

How can a robot show that it is alive and running?

Your Mission

Add an LED heartbeat so your robot brain can show a repeating signal. A heartbeat is useful because it tells you the program is still running.

Parts

• Bluepill on breadboard
• LED module or LED circuit
• Resistor if your LED is not already on a module
• Jumper wires

Build

1. Keep the Bluepill from Mission 1 on the breadboard.
2. Add the LED module.
3. Connect the LED signal wire to the lesson pin shown in ModuLab.
4. Connect power and ground as shown in the breadboard view.

Connect

1. Plug in USB.
2. Press **Connect**.
3. Open the LED panel.

Try It

Turn the LED on and off first.

Then make a heartbeat pattern:

• on
• off
• pause
• on
• off
• pause

Success Check

• The LED follows the app controls.
• The heartbeat repeats.
• You can explain which wire carries the signal.

Debug

If the LED does not light:

• Turn the LED around if it is a loose LED.
• Check ground is connected.
• Check the signal wire is in the correct breadboard row.
• Try the built-in LED again to prove the board is still connected.

Remix

Create three moods:

• calm heartbeat
• excited heartbeat
• danger heartbeat

Robot Brain Idea

Robots often use status lights. One small LED can tell a human whether the robot is ready, busy, stuck, or waiting for instructions.