Robot
Dotbot Flip is a programmable robot designed for learning, play, and hands-on experimentation.
This page focuses on the robot itself: its main hardware, key parameters, and how its systems fit together.
Specifications
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Main controller | ESP32-S3 |
| Mobility | Tracked drive base |
| Main mechanism | Front arm for lifting and flipping |
| Display | 2-inch IPS LCD |
| Display resolution | 296x240 |
| Display brightness | Configurable |
| Audio | Built-in speaker |
| Sound support | Built-in sounds and short MP3 clips from the app |
| LEDs | 9 full-color RGB LEDs |
| LED placement | 4 bottom corner LEDs and 5 LEDs on the top rear strip |
| IMU | Accelerometer and gyroscope combo |
| Power source | Single-cell battery |
| Charging | USB-C, up to 5 V / 1 A |
| Recharge time | About 1 hour |
| Typical runtime | About 45 minutes, depending on play intensity |
| Auto power-down | After 2 minutes of inactivity |
| App support | iOS companion app |
| Programming modes | Draw-to-code, Blockly, and MicroPython |
| Play modes | Competitive and single-player game modes |
System overview
Mobility and arm
The tracked drivetrain gives the robot stable movement and good grip on indoor surfaces.
The front arm is intended for getting under an opponent or small object, then lifting quickly enough to tip or move it.
Screen
Dotbot Flip uses a 2-inch, 296x240 IPS LCD display with configurable brightness.
The screen is used for:
- startup and connection status
- battery information
- current mode or game state
- prompts and local feedback
Speaker
The robot can play built-in sounds, as well as short MP3 clips sent from the app.
The speaker can be used for:
- startup tones
- alerts
- action feedback
- game effects
RGB LEDs
Dotbot Flip has 9 full-color RGB LEDs:
- 4 on the bottom, one at each corner of the robot
- 5 on the strip on the top rear section
The LED system can show:
- charging or battery state
- active mode
- player or team identity
- custom effects created in software
IMU
Dotbot Flip includes an IMU made up of an accelerometer and gyroscope combination.
This sensor data can be used to infer the orientation of the robot and detect how it is moving in space.
Typical uses include:
- estimating whether the robot is level, tilted, or flipped over
- detecting motion and rotation
- supporting gameplay or control logic that depends on robot orientation
Power and charging
Dotbot Flip runs from a single-cell battery and recharges through USB-C.
It charges at up to 5 V / 1 A, typically recharges in about 1 hour, and usually runs for about 45 minutes depending on how aggressively the tracks and arm are used.
To save battery, the robot automatically powers down after 2 minutes of inactivity.