Yes. There are two distinct methods for programming your mBot with the mBlock 5 software via Bluetooth. In both cases we recommend using the Makeblock® Bluetooth® Dongle (MB-BLE), which makes it easy to pair mBot to your computer or Chromebook.
Pair the Makeblock Bluetooth Dongle to your mBot
1. Turn on your mBot.
2. Connect the Makeblock Bluetooth Dongle to a USB port on your computer or Chromebook. The Bluetooth LED will flash slowly.
3. On the Dongle, press and hold the Bluetooth button (button with the Bluetooth symbol) to pair the mBot. The LED will flash quickly and then stay lit (without flashing).
Once you have paired the Bluetooth Dongle to an mBot, it stays paired; you do not need to re-pair the Dongle every time you need to connect to mBot.
Next, choose one of the following upload methods; follow the steps to connect the mBlock 5 software to mBot and upload your program:
Method 1 Using the “Upload” mode and the Bluetooth Dongle
1. In mBlock 5, click “Connect” in the Devices tab. mBlock 5 will identify the port. Click Connect. (Verify that “USB” and not “Bluetooth 4.0” is selected. This is required when using the Bluetooth Dongle.)
2. Set the Mode Switch to “Upload”.
3. Verify that your code begins with the “when mBot(mcore) starts up” hat block.
3. Click the “Upload” button, and the program will be loaded onto your mBot. mBot will then disconnect itself from the software and immediately run the program. Note: When you upload a new program to mBot, any program currently on the mBot will be replaced with your new program.
4. If you want to change/tweak/replace the mBot’s program, reconnect (step 1), and repeat this process.
Notes:
* This method uploads complete programs all at once. Any program that is installed on the mBot will be deleted and replaced with the uploaded program.
* If you wish to restore the mBot’s Default Program to mBot, see How do I reset my mBot back to the Default Program?.
* Our mBot e-book, Coding with mBot: Self-Driving Vehicles (MBOT-MSDV-E), is written with the assumption that students use this upload method.
Method 2 Using the “Live” mode and the Bluetooth Dongle
mBot must have the Default Program installed to use Live mode. If you want to restore the Default Program to mBot, see How do I reset my mBot back to the Default Program?.
1. In mBlock 5, click “Connect” in the Devices tab. mBlock 5 will identify the port. Click Connect. (Verify that “USB” and not “Bluetooth 4.0” is selected. This is required when using the Bluetooth Dongle.)
2. Set the Mode Switch to “Live”, if it is not already.
3. mBot will run the program when triggered by the appropriate event. For example, if your program begins with the “when green flag” hat block, mBot will not run the program until the green flag button in the mBlock 5 window is clicked.
4. mBot will stay connected to the mBlock software after it has run the program. You can change/tweak/replace code, as necessary, without having to reconnect (step 1).
Notes:
* This method runs the program through active communication. Code is streamed to and from the mBot one block at a time.
* This upload method can involve some delay due to the active communication between the computer/Chromebook and the mBot. This method is not advised for programs such as line-following which requires quick response.
Related TILs:
Can I program my mBot via Bluetooth with mBlock 3 software?
mBot Troubleshooting and FAQs
Makeblock® Bluetooth® Dongle (MB-BLE)
mBot and STEM Activities Module (MBOT-P)
mBot (Blue) and STEM Activities Module (MBOT-B, discontinued)
mBot STEM Classroom Kit (MBOT-KIT, discontinued)