Assembly Instructions
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01
Assemble the Arms
You will need: 2 white plastic parts, 1 metal ball, 2 screws, and 1 set screw. When securing the parts with screws, be careful not to tighten them too much. The joint should remain secure but still rotate easily with very low friction.
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02
Access the Motors
Use the provided tool to unscrew the electronic circuit from the base by removing 3 small screws. Carefully extract the motors without damaging the cables.
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03
Fit Arms to Motors
Insert the motor arm tip (black part) into the hole, rotate and push the remaining motor into place. Repeat for each of the three motors.
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04
Replace Motors in Base
Push each motor completely down into position.
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05
Connect Motor Cables
Plug each connector with the correct orientation. Reverse connections will prevent the motors from functioning properly. Place the circuit back into the base, bend the motor cables into the gaps, align the USB-C ports with the notches, and secure with the three screws.
ImportantAlign the USB-C ports with the notches of the base
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06
Calibrate Motors
Follow these steps carefully to calibrate the three servo positions:
- Connect the PCB "Power" port to a computer or USB-C phone charger.
- Triple-press the button — servo A will move lower than the others.
- Press the button repeatedly to move the arm down by 1° increments.
- Continue until the arm is horizontal.
- Long-press the button for 2 seconds to confirm calibration for servo A.
- Servo B automatically positions itself — repeat the adjustment process.
- Servo C automatically positions itself — repeat the adjustment process.
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07
Attach Magnets
Tape the magnets onto the circuit holder following the image guides provided in the packaging.
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08
Assemble the Platform
Remove the protective film from the transparent PMMA plate. Tape the two circuit holders onto the plate, slide the circuit notches into the holders securely, then tape the final holder to lock the assembly in place.
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09
Connect Flat Cable (First End)
Open the locking connector by gently lifting the lever. Slide the flat cable fully into the connector, ensuring it is fully inserted and properly aligned. Close the lever to lock it in place.
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10
Connect Flat Cable (Second End)
Repeat the same process for the second circuit connection — open the lever, insert the flat cable fully, close the lever to lock.
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11
Assembly Complete
Connect USB-C power to the "Power Up" connector. The platform will move to a horizontal position automatically and the red LED will blink. Place the ball on the platform — BaBot will start balancing.
How to Use
Connect a USB-C cable to the "Power Up" connector using a computer or phone charger. The platform moves to horizontal automatically and the red LED blinks. Place the ball on the platform to begin.
BaBot is ready and waiting for the ball. Place the ball on the platform to begin.
BaBot is powered off. Check your USB-C cable and power source.
Ball detected — the control loop is active and balancing.
BaBot is highly sensitive to infrared light. It cannot be used outdoors or in very bright sunlight, as infrared interference from the sun can make the sensors completely unresponsive. For best performance, use BaBot indoors under controlled lighting conditions.
Troubleshooting
1. Check lighting conditions
Perform tests in a room with limited natural light. Excess ambient infrared from sunlight or bright incandescent bulbs interferes with the sensors. This is the most common issue — try a different room first.
2. Verify smooth motor operation
If an arm is stuck or not rotating, confirm that no part of the arm is rubbing against the base. If it is, use sandpaper to create a small gap and ensure there is no friction.
3. Re-upload the firmware
If the LED continues blinking when the ball is placed, or if the ball is detected but fails to stabilize after 2–3 seconds, re-upload the firmware:
- Download and install Arduino IDE from arduino.cc/en/software.
- Download the BaBot code file from GitHub (github.com/ba-bot).
- Connect BaBot to your computer using the "Upload Code" USB port.
- Open the Library Manager, search for CD74HC4067 and install it.
- Select Arduino Leonardo as the board type.
- Click Upload and wait for "Done uploading" (under 20 seconds).
- Disconnect USB, then reconnect to the "Power Up" port before testing.
Make sure you have selected Arduino Leonardo as the board type, and that BaBot is connected via the Upload Code port (not the Power Up port).