Gyro Precision — Block Coding Guide
You can do everything in this session with blocks instead of typing Python. Pybricks shows the matching Python next to your blocks (live preview), so the block track and the Python track end up at the same place — you can peek at the Python any time to see what your blocks turned into.
Same robot, same ideas. Blocks and Python are just two ways to give the robot the same instructions.
1. Switch to blocks
In code.pybricks.com, make a new block program (choose blocks instead of Python when you create it). You’ll see a blocks canvas with a palette of blocks on the side and a live Python preview.
2. Set up the robot — and turn on the gyro
Use the setup / configuration area to tell Pybricks about your robot. This is the
same setup from Day 1 (hub, Motor, and DriveBase) — reuse your calibrated
numbers:
- Add the hub.
- Add your two drive motors, set the port for each, and set a motor’s direction if needed (use the values you verified in Day 1).
- Turn the two motors into a robot / drive base and enter your calibrated wheel diameter and axle track.
- In the drive base setup, find the “use gyro” option and turn it on. This is the block version of the one new line today.
This is the block equivalent of:
robot = DriveBase(left, right, wheel_diameter=56, axle_track=112)
robot.use_gyro(True)
3. Drive and turn (same blocks as before)
From the movement blocks:
| What you want | Block | Python it matches |
|---|---|---|
| Drive forward 500 mm | “drive straight 500 mm” | robot.straight(500) |
| Turn right 90° | “turn 90 degrees” | robot.turn(90) |
With the “use gyro” option on, these exact same blocks now hold a straighter, more accurate path.
4. Read and print the heading
Find the hub / IMU blocks for the heading, and put it inside a print block:
| What you want | Block | Python it matches |
|---|---|---|
| Show the heading | “print” + “hub heading” | print(hub.imu.heading()) |
The number shows up in the output console. Heading starts at 0 and positive = clockwise. Watch it change as the robot turns.
print(hub.imu.heading())
5. The two experiments (same as the Python track)
Both experiments work the same no matter which track you use:
- Off vs. on: Run your square with the “use gyro” option off, mark where it ends. Turn the option on and run the same blocks again. Chart the error.
- Tune a true 360°: Make a tiny program with one turn 360° block and a print heading block. Run it; if the heading didn’t land back near 0, change the turn number (try 355-363) until it does.
Write your results on the worksheet.
Ready to try Python?
Look at the live Python preview next to your blocks — that’s real code your blocks made. When you’re curious, start a Python program and type the commands from the main session page. Same robot, same results.