#i could literally find it easily too but my high moral code prevents me.. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sasorikigai · 4 years

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My muse in a relationships || @ephemeralkryonics || accepting (Part 2)

👫Do they display affection in public? What about in private?

Publicly, Hanzo may come across as stern, reserved and repressed with his affection (even when he attempts to sneak in knowing gazes, brush of hands and any part of exposed flesh, etc.), as he’s running high on rampant, prompted introspection and overwhelming onslaught of responsibilities that come as freight train of thoughts. So it may prevent him from fully capable to display physical and mental affection, compared to the private setting.

In private, he is definitely much more at ease, without tension and hardened countenance and aura, which makes it effortless to commit to both physical and mental affection. While he feels more than comfortable expressing his affection with vocalizations, such would not be a possibility when he is fulfilling his Grandmaster’s responsibilities and duties.

💕Are they open to threesomes or a polyamorous relationship?

It’s a hard no; Hanzo is a strict believer of the ethical philosophy and that “what’s good is what feels good” approach of polyamory or non-monogamy relationship repulsive. This can be more gross, as in the orgiastic pleasures of indulgence, or more subtle, as in weighing long term vs. short term pleasures and pursuing sustainable pleasures, seeking more subtle pleasures such as art and community, and considering the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of beings. While he understands that that it’s not only about sex, and being about the intimacy surrounding sex, Hanzo doesn’t that the pursuit of pleasure is as important to human beings nowhere near as to live a meaningful life, and I think the monogamous family model has been preferred for many good reasons.

He is a traditionalist by heart, so he prefers one woman or one man is an equal balance with himself, instead of having primary and secondary person whom he could divide his attention. He isn’t very open regarding polyamorous relationships either, so trying other arrangements is out of the option too. Hanzo thinks polyamory is very egocentric and exploitive of participants. There is a primary lover and then secondary lovers, so there is an inherent caste system in Polyamorous relationships. So he would much prefer to have and thinks that it’s better to just find one person to make love with, and stay open to a community of friends.

Also, time demands and emotional complexities may hinder Hanzo from ever pursuing it for himself. While Harumi and Kuai Liang share self-responsibility and integrity when it comes to their emotional strength and jealousy and commitment wouldn’t be an issue for them, he doesn’t think it’s sustainable long term as it is selfish in nature, even if the premise is that he can love a lot more abundantly than he originally believed we could. Monogamy is not just a belief system – it’s called pair bonding. Nature wants him to team up with and fall in love with one partner. Monogamy doesn’t mean he has to mate with one person for life, but Harumi will always be the one whom he’d consider his soulmate even before Kuai; Kuai just happens to share many paramount traits which Harumi possessed.

💔Do they have a certain type of person they will not enter into a relationship with?

Anyone who is shallow, one-dimensional, goes against the Bushido Code, which are code of eight virtues he will follow with all his heart. Those individuals don’t deserve Hanzo Hasashi’s hard-earned trust, loyalty, devotion and love.

💝How long until they feel secure and comfortable in a relationship?

Because of his past as a misguided hellspawn spectre and being used as a pawn without self-governance, Hanzo’s trust towards others and the time it takes to be completely comfortable with his significant other may take a while. With Kuai Liang, the duration which it takes for Hanzo to become more comfortable may be significantly reduced, simply because they have a long history between them. Even as mortal rivals and being a prominent member of opposite factions that had been in such a bitter rivalry for centuries, only exacerbated by Quan Chi’s machinations, the gravitational force of attraction was always there.

There was an intrinsic intrigue, ever since the OG time where even as Scorpion, he caught up on how significantly different Kuai Liang was compared to Bi-Han. Kuai Liang’s major story arc revolves with the fact that the death of older brother had big impact on Kuai Liang, who in Bi-Han’s honor took name of Sub-Zero as he sought revenge against Scorpion. It was one of his biggest motivation during all MK stories - at least until he made a peace with Hanzo Hasashi. Kuai Liang is idealistic and naive, and Hanzo finds his sympathy, kindness, empathy and mercifulness (despite being absolutely ruthless and ferocious when he’s engaged in kombat) and Hanzo finds that endearing.

Elder Kuai Liang may seem very composed, but Hanzo now knows in the Lin Kuei’s youth, he was driven by emotions (anger, guilt) - just like he is, anger fueled by guilt - and forced to do many things against his will by various powers (Lin Kuei, Quan Chi’s magic, cursed blade) and still he stayed on the heroes’ side. Kuai Liang even made peace with murderer of his brother - himself - and blamed only Quan Chi for what happened to Bi-Han. Hanzo forever feels indebted and grateful for Kuai’s forgiveness.

🤐Would they ever confess their feelings first?

Hanzo most likely would to Kuai Liang, than having it the other way. While Hanzo isn’t much experienced when it comes to having romantic/sexual relationships, for his one and only partner for life had been Harumi and I headcanon that they were friends from childhood years, in which Hanzo soon became Harumi’s suitor and they became lovers from friends, which also lead to them becoming soulmates. Because Hanzo is more emotionally in touch with himself and have no qualms of expressing his thoughts and feelings, it would come much more natural to him than Kuai Liang, who is rather naive and hasn’t experienced all the life’s joys as his childhood and normalcy to experience various appropriate things in Lin Kuei.

❌Would they ever cheat on their partner?

Cheating is wrong, because it breaches his hard-earned trust, devotion and love. The golden rule for arguing about morals is the golden rule itself: One should treat others the way one would like others to treat oneself. The special exclusive bond he shared with him/her would degrade to become never exclusive or special. It would feel like such a violation and make him doubt his own self-worth, that maybe he is not deemed worthy enough. A relationship is heavy, involves a lot of opening up and intimacy, and breaking that trust makes him feel vulnerable and betrayed. The searing mental image of his loved one being intimate with someone else is hard to erase completely from your head, and would haunt him for long. It’s a shattering blend of impotent anger, envy, loss of self-confidence, possible erosion of faith in love, disgust at having opened up to such a person, and mind-numbing regret and sorrow.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Do they want children?

Hanzo always thrived better with having his offsprings; regardless of biological (Satoshi) or surrogate (Takeda Takahashi), Hanzo’s paternal prowess has not only kept him in check from his severe depression and sole survivor’s guilt, but it boosted his hellfire and fighting capabilities, making him even capable of coming on top of Raiden and Sub-Zero (albeit he was injured before their battle).

🐶Are they a cuddler?

As I have mentioned before, physical intimacy is one of the most crucial and profound part of romantic/sexual relationship. Cuddling often gets conflated with sex because it releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding, and like sex, cuddling can lower blood pressure, ease pain, and increase sexual and life satisfaction. While cuddling doesn’t always make sex as an end result, Hanzo regards cuddling itself as one of the most important communications in relationships, as those subtle, grounding touches anchor him to reality. It only fosters tight-knitted bonding opportunities and cuddling increases his sense of security with Kuai Liang, which in turn, increases his desire to be emotionally intimate and vulnerable with him. There’s no denying the positive effects cuddling has on his relationship.

🔮Do they believe in soul mates?

I think Hanzo both believes in destiny and growth beliefs; it’s the same with Harumi and Kuai, that he was destined to be with a specific person (in this case, people) and that he would have one person who is meant for me in different timelines (if Harumi hadn’t met her gruesome death, Hanzo would have dedicated his life for her). And this is especially important with Hanzo’s relationship with Kuai Liang, and that their relationship slowly progressed and they both grew to fit together - like yin and yang - as they both made conscious effort to become needed and fill in the gaps of their imperfections. While he believes that he and Kuai can be the most compatible person on the face of the earth, but he doesn’t believe there's an invisible force that draws complete strangers towards each other; they have to continue to make conscious effort to understand and perceive each other, even as they begin to know them in-depth.

⚔️ Are they protective of their partner?

Extremely. Although Hanzo knows Kuai is a strong and ferocious warrior who can very easily protect himself from peril and throes of death, it’s the past trauma of losing his clan - not once, but twice under supernatural forces he couldn’t control nor predict - and most definitely his family.

🚀 How far are they willing to go for the person they love?

Once Hanzo commits in romantic/sexual relationships, he will literally go to the ends of the earth and to Hell and back; it’s literally the entirety of his story arc regarding Harumi/Satoshi when you think about it. It it weren’t for Hanzo’s love, Hanzo Hasashi as a character we know as of now may have been nonexistent, and so does Scorpion.

❤️ Do they fall in love easily?

While the severity of his trauma may have been slightly mitigated by the decades of his desiderium and deep longing, Hanzo still has dreams and nightmares about Harumi, whom he considered not only as a longtime friend, a lover, a beloved and devoted wife, but even more so, his soulmate. She was a quiet, but a strong presence who served as Hanzo’s emotional pillar and guidance.

📺 Do they share information about their relationships freely with friends and family?

Initially, Hanzo would be very discreet and hesitant about their relationship; at least until it becomes truly serious and fully devoted. For Hanzo, strategic disclosure and manipulation of co-presence (especially in regards to their shared Grandmasters’ positions and being Earthrealm’s protectors) signals will become the most frequent ways in which information was managed. The most frequent reasons for revelation were felt obligation to reveal based on the relationship with the target, the desire for emotional expression and the desire for psychological support from the target. The most frequent reason to withhold information was the anticipation of a negative reaction from his surroundings, specifically to the Shirai Ryu and perhaps beyond.

This sharing of personal details about his life - your feelings, thoughts, memories, and other such things - Hanzo’s self-disclosure is on the low side; while he is completely open about sharing them to the most trusted, loved individuals, he is much more reserved about such things.

♦️Are they concerned with the social status of their partner?

Social status is most likely the least facet Hanzo is concerned about, but I think Hanzo certainly has a type for someone who is either 1) a commanding leader in any manifestations and forms - Grandmasters, Commanders, those who have been in the leading position where they are responsible for numbers of individuals under their wings, so to speak, and 2) possesses insistence, the iron-will stubbornness that is able to meet his own hot-tempered decisiveness.

💭 Do they tend to sleep better when in bed with their partner?

One of Hanzo’s most absolute favorite things to do is to cuddle naked; while he is much more of a sensual being than sexual, Hanzo does enjoy both physical or emotional closeness. While the term intimate relationship usually implies the inclusion of sexual activity, the term is also used to indicate a relationship with more than just sexual activity. Intimate relationships maintain a key role in his overall human experience because they involve emotional connections with others. This may be romance, physical or sexual attraction, sexual activity, or emotional support, while also helps him to develop strong interpersonal connections.

Hanzo desires physical intimacy of some sort at least occasionally, being that it is a natural part of human sexuality. Because this is most often sensual touching of any sort, it requires an entrance into another's personal space, while it may be an emotional or sexual act anywhere from a hug to a kiss or sexual intercourse. Emotional or sensual touching of this sort aids in the release of oxytocin, dopamine,and serotonin, which reduces stress. Also, without physical intimacy, there are increased feelings of loneliness or sadness and Hanzo is highly prone to suffering both without the intimate proximity with his significant other.

Specifically with Kuai Liang, he finds the quality of his sleep significantly improved; he finds the cryomancer’s coolness extremely comfortable, relaxing and natural. Even as a pyromancer and someone who is more or less used to stifling heat of Japan, regardless of humidity, he finds majority of summer and fall a bit unbearable - since he is the type to sweat a lot in those hot seasons and it’s hard for him to cool down rapidly without feeling significant discomfort beyond where he feels unhygienic and disgusting. Having some kind of weight under him is also a comforting presence, and he dreams less nightmares and unpleasant dreams because of it.

#✗ obsessive cathartic (headcanon)#✗ the ineffable testimony of spawned hellfire (scorpion)#✗ again and always (scorpion x sub-zero)#(relationships; sub-zero)#ephemeralkryonics

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aramis-dagaz-imaginarium · 5 years

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A loud metallic clanking echoed throughout the ship, the second time Farrin heard in as many hours. The first time was when the pirates had boarded her aether liner, but she had no idea who was responsible this time around. Judging by the reaction on the pirates keeping her and the rest of the passengers hostage in the ship’s lounge, they had no idea either.

A blur of motion from the lounge’s hatch and a soft tink on the ground caught her senses, and she immediately realized what was about to happen. She turned away from the hatch, squeezing her eyes tightly shut and pressing her hands to her ears.

BLAM!

Though it was only an explosion of light and noise, Farrin could feel the blast of sound hit her like a punch to her back, leaving her feeling a little disoriented. She was still in much better shape than the rest of the pirates and hostages, who were reeling from the sudden assault on their senses, and saw three figures—Firarsians, judging by their tails—rush into the room.

They were all dressed in dark uniforms and wore masks resembling dragon skulls with red pinpoints of light in their black eyes. The first one in wielded a sword and swiftly rushed the closest pirate, cutting him down before he even knew what was going on. The second had much longer hair and carried a caster pistol in one hand, pausing only to level it at the pirate near the opposite wall and fire off two quick shots. The third was different from the other two, being a few inches shorter and wearing a short hooded cape. They carried no weapons, but the speed with which they downed a pirate with their fists told Farrin that they didn’t need any.

Her assessment of the situation was interrupted when pirate next to her, apparently not as fazed as his fellows, hauled her to her feet and held her in front of him, intent on using her as a shield. Farrin reacted instantly, jabbing her elbow into his abdomen and following up by slamming the back of her head into his face. She was about to throw her captor to the ground when she saw the shortest of the three reach out, grab at the air, and then yank back hard. Suddenly Farrin felt herself…falling. Not towards the ground, but towards the masked assailant.

“Glade! Catch!” they cried out, stepping aside to let Farrin fly past and deliver a powerful strike against the pirate also hurtling towards them. The masked warrior with the sword caught her with their free arm, slowing her velocity and directing her towards the long-haired pistoleer.

“Tyll, over to you!” they called as they let go. The pistoleer caught her easily, arresting her movement by letting her fall into a dip, as though they were dancing and not in the middle of vicious battle against aether pirates. The brow of their mask raised in surprise as they took note of her elven features.

“Pardon me, ma’am,” they said, looking up to fire off a couple of shots before setting her down gently on the floor. “Please stay down, this should be over soon.”

A quick look confirmed that the masked fighters did indeed have the upper hand and were about to subdue the few remaining pirates, who had recovered enough to put up a panicked resistance. Farrin caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see two more pirates rush out of one of the state rooms they had been looting towards the unprotected backs of the unarmed fighter and the swordsman.

Farrin pointed at the farthest pirate and shouted an arcane phrase. Three bolts of magical energy shot out from her finger and streaked towards him, slamming into his side with enough force to knock him off his feet. She then scooped up a blade from one of the fallen pirates and leapt into a run towards the remaining attacker, trying not to get her legs tangled in the dress of her servant’s uniform. She brought up her weapon just in time to block the pirate’s slash at the swordsman’s back. With practiced ease, she swung her blade around her opponent’s and struck him in the head with the sharpened false edge, drawing blood and causing him to stagger back reflexively. By this point, the masked swordsman realized what was going on and spun around, plunging the tip of their sword into the pirate and letting him slide off to the ground. The swordsman glanced over at her, their animated skull mask grinning as they gave her a quick salute with their sword.

There was a few heartbeats as stillness descended on the room, broken only by the groans and cries of the still partially blinded and deafened hostages. “This room is clear!” the unarmed fighter called out in a somewhat high-pitched and nasally voice. “To the bridge!”

As quickly as they entered, the three masked warriors filed out. The pistoleer paused at the door to look at Farrin, who was still holding the sword she liberated. “Ma’am, if you could please watch over them and keep them calm? Thank you,” he said and then closed the hatch shut.

Farrin glanced around at the ruined lounge, now full of dead and dying pirates and bewildered and horrified but otherwise unharmed passengers. What a mess…

What a mess. Keras reached her hands under her mask and rubbed wearily at her face. Captain Azumvig of the soon to be defunct Strick Skull Gang was proving to be most difficult in explaining himself, and he seemed to have hired a mage to secure his ship’s data node since the last time she crossed paths with him. It will take days to decrypt it, and no doubt whomever is pulling his strings will notice his absence. She can only hope that the good captain was just his usual contrarian self and not on the orders of someone else, in which case they were undoubtedly playing right into their hands.

She groaned in frustration. She hated being so paranoid, but it kept them alive this long, so she wasn’t about to stop heeding its counsel.

“Hey Ker—I mean, Archon,” she heard Byssina say from the bridge’s hatch, “one of the passengers wishes to speak with you.”

Keras groaned again. “No doubt to threaten to sue me for not saving them the moment the pirates attacked or because their finest suit got a bit rumpled,” she muttered. She took a few calming breaths, straightened her mask, and adjusted her position in the captain’s chair into what she hoped was an imperious pose. As much as she appreciated the simple menace of a chair made from thick, tarnished plates of metal with large, spiked rivets, the fact remained that Captain Azumvig was much taller than her and thus made her short stature appear all the smaller. Her feet didn’t even reach the floor, though having the bound and gagged form of Captain Azumvig act as a makeshift footstool more than made up for that. Having your foes literally beneath your feet helped others take you seriously.

“Send them in,” Keras stated in as imperious a tone as she could muster.

Byssina escorted an elven woman dressed in a servant’s uniform onto the bridge. The elf stopped a respectful distance away and bowed with practiced grace.

“Ah, the elven woman from the lounge,” Tyllium said from Keras’s left. “I was hoping we would be able to see you again.”

“Indeed,” Keras commented and turned her attention back to her supplicant. “Now then, who are you and what do you want of me?”

“My name is Farrin, Archon,” she replied in a professional tone. “I wish to offer you my services as thanks for rescuing me.”

The bridge was silent for a moment save for the noisy ventilation fans. Keras hadn’t expected anyone to really thank her for rescuing them from pirates, let alone asking to join her crew. “Well,” she started, but struggled to find further words for a few heartbeats. “What special skills do you have to offer?”

“I can offer many services as a domestic servant and personal valet,” Farrin answered easily, no doubt reciting a well-rehearsed speech. “I can cook, clean, manage other household employees, and care for children of any age, though I will admit that tutoring is not my strong suit.”

“All that in addition to being skilled with both sword and spell,” Glade said.

“A maid and spellsword,” Keras remarked, “a rather unusual combination of skills.”

Glade laughed. “Like you have any room to talk,” she teased.

Keras couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Quiet, Archon talking,” she muttered, though she had to admit she had a point.

“It is true, Archon,” Farrin continued. “I was a mercenary and adventurer for a little over 30 years, but then the market dried up and I sought employment in other fields.”

“Really now? 30 years is a respectable career length for a merc.” Keras rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Of course, this does raise the question why you want to work for us. And don’t give me that ‘repayment for the rescue’ shtick, most serons would have second thoughts about joining up with a group that looks like us. What are your real reasons?”

“Quite simple, Archon,” Farrin replied. “First, you attacked only the pirates and went out of your way to prevent civilian casualties. Even if rescuing us was not your objective, it shows that you have a some kind of moral code. Second, you did not even bother to ask for a reward or even attempt to rob the passengers in turn, further demonstrating that you are honorable. Third, the way you four treat each other shows that you are not a mere group of thugs in a coercive hierarchy.” A smirk appeared on her face. “If I may be so honest, Archon, after working as an adventurer and then a domestic servant for as long as I have, I’ve learned how to read people, and I’ve worked for far more unpleasant serons than a bunch of pirate hunters wearing masks, many of whom are otherwise considered ‘respectable’. Besides, I haven’t been paid yet for this voyage and feel no compunction jumping ship for a group who seem like they would be more interesting or pleasant to work for.”

“No doubt eager to see some proper action after so long, I’ll wager,” Glade said.

“I believe that goes without saying,” Farrin replied.

“Well, I’m sold.”

“As am I,” Tyllium added.

“She has my vote, too,” Byssina concurred.

Keras glanced at her compatriots, then back at Farrin. Finally, she sighed, feeling too tired to argue. “Okay, welcome aboard,” she said. “Of course, should you betray us, blah blah blah, we’ll kill you and so on. Just because we’re honorable doesn’t mean I won’t hesitate to deal with you accordingly.”

“Understood, Archon, and thank you,” Farrin said, bowing again.

“And enough with the bowing and subservient crap, you’re starting to make me feel uncomfortable.”

Farrin grinned. “Suits me just fine, boss.”

Keras waved her away. “Byss, help her get her things. I want to detach from this rust bucket as soon as possible.”

“Right away, Archon!” Byssina said and saluted cheerfully. As the two of them left the bridge, Byssina leaned over to Farrin. “What size breastplate do you wear, by chance?”

“I prefer brigandine, myself. Much more my style,” Farrin replied.

Even from beneath her mask, Byssina’s expression visibly lit up. “Oh, we’re going to get along splendidly.”

Keras sighed and rubbed her eyes underneath her mask. “So much for our fearsome reputation,” she muttered. She stood up, using the prone form of her prisoner as a stepping stool and eliciting a pained groan.

“Now then, Captain Azumvig,” she said, “just what kind of poetic fate shall we inflict upon you?”

((Farrin belongs to @extremely-nervess, who generously let me include the spellsword elf maid in this drabble. Hope I did the character justice.))

#stories #aramis dagaz's stories #firmament #keras thel saaret #tyllium #glade #byssina #extremely-nervess

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droneseco · 5 years

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Learn to Program Our Future Overlords with The MotionBlock Robotics Kit

Our verdict of the MotionBlock Robotics Kit: The build quality, software, and potential of this STEAM-focused robotics kit is worth every single dollar. If your kids are excited by STEM or STEAM, the MotionBlock kit is an unmissable purchase.1010

Looking for a programmable robot to help your kids get to grips with STEM or STEAM education? Makeblock’s MotionBlock kit might just be exactly what you’re looking for—but is it just a bit too complicated for most school-age children?

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What Is STEM/STEAM?

Aimed at 14 years and above, MotionBlock is a collection of robotics components that can be programmed using Scratch and Python. A 2019 Red Dot award winner (for Programmable Robot Kit), Makeblock has specifically marketed the kit as being suitable for school-age children with an interest in robotics.

Or more specifically, Science, Technology, Engineering, (optional Art), and Math. Often, to test kits like this, we recruit someone of suitable age to help assess its suitability.

However, in this case, it has not been possible, ironically due to school exams. So, I’ve channeled my 14-year-old self to review the MotionBlock kit. This might not be as ridiculous as it first seems…

Unboxing the MotionBlock

An immense collection of 144 components can be found inside the MotionBlock box. So many, in fact, that the (pretty heavy) box is subdivided into two smaller boxes, each loaded with robotics kit.

Described as “sophisticated mechanical and electronic components” these modules can be combined using simple dovetail joints and cables. Five intelligent servo blocks are included, offering 360 degrees continuous rotation and high precision. They can be programmed using a synchronizer, motion recording, or in Scratch.

Along with the servos, cables, and dovetail joints, you’ll find wheels, a ball gun, and the central computer. This is accompanied by a simple 12×16 LED dot display (mounted on the “main brain”, known as the Master Control) which can help to add some character to your robot builds. The computer is powered by a compact rechargeable battery, which comes with its own USB charger. It’s worth plugging this in for a few hours before you get started.

There’s also a box complete with a Torx screwdriver and various screws. These are required to construct the modules. For example, the swing and clamping module segments of the robot arm and grabber need to be built.

This, really, is the basis for the age grouping. While I suspect younger children could program the robot with Scratch, building the modules is certainly for older kids with superior motor skills.

What Can You Do With the MotionBlock Robotics Kit?

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The MotionBlock kit comes with various designs for you to try:

Fighter

Sampling Rover

Footballer

Gorilla

Off-Road Auto

Snake

Larva

Dog

Robotic Arm

Pitching Auto

These unusual builds highlight the versatility of the MotionBlock components and utilize key modules. Among these are the acceleration module, ejection module, and rotating module, as well as the swing and mechanical claw clamping modules mentioned earlier.

Underlying each build are a collection of five high-performance intelligent servos. They’re designed to imitate the behaviors of many animals, with high stability of control and strong capacity of bearing.

Pen module, suction cups, and more can be also be employed for unique, individual builds. The main module, meanwhile, features Bluetooth, enabling you to control your MotionBlock creation remotely via a mobile app or a dedicated controller. There’s also a micro USB port for connecting the module directly to your computer to upload programs.

Meanwhile, thanks to a pair of LEGO adaptors, you can also integrate your MotionBlock build with your latest LEGO project.

Building Your First Robot

Many robotics kits come with a bunch of components and modules that just snap together. A few minutes later, you’ve got a robot moving around, a program freshly uploaded via USB.

Not so with MotionBlock.

Aiming for simplicity in the review, I opted for the Robotic Arm. Instructions for this build are included in the printed manual (others are in the mobile app for Android and iOS), so it made sense to start here.

90 minutes later I was done, having constructed every servo module. Unfortunately, I still had to build the Synchronizer, a remote unit that controls the robot arm. While this was a bit faster, the entire build time was around two hours.

It’s worth highlighting here that although the Synchronizer is a useful remote, it is limited by the 25mm cable connection to the Master Control. It’s also limited by some restrictive brackets (“Stoblocks”) that prevent full motion. They appear to be provided to prevent the cables from being stretched but have the opposite effect. Better motion can be achieved without these parts.

Also, the robot arm requires calibration when used with the remote, but this isn’t the case with app-based remote control.

Getting the Build Right

Unfortunately, I ran into a problem. It seems that early in the build, I connected a component incorrectly. While I immediately fixed the issue, the damage was done.

Four 16mm screws had penetrated the case of one of the servos, resulting in the arm being non-functional. This was the servo installed in the rotating block, a key component of the arm.

This happened thanks to a simple misreading of the instructions. No unreasonable force was used. In fact, it was tougher to screw the 16mm screws correctly.

On the plus side, if I had used the instructions in the mobile app, it would have been far clearer. Here, each step is guided, with an animated illustration and an interactive 3D graphic of the components. In short, if you’re planning to buy this kit, use the manual in the mobile app.

Seized Up Servo

Reading the instructions carefully won’t prevent manufacturing failures, however. While experimenting with the Synchronizer arm, it turned out that one of the servos—ironically the one fitted in the rotating module to repair the one I damaged—had seized up.

With all builds of the MotionBlock kit requiring four or more servos, that pretty much brought things to an end.

Fortunately, Makeblock were kind enough to forward a pair of replacement servos. A few weeks later, the robot was finally up and running.

Further investigation showed that the screws were not sorted as per the labels in the box. This resulted in me using 20mm screws instead of 16mm. That 4mm difference would probably have saved the circuit board in the servo!

Once again, the moral or the story is clear: pay close attention to every step of the instructions.

Hook Up the Mobile App to Control Your Robot via Bluetooth

With your robot built, it’s a good time to sync it to your mobile device over Bluetooth. Get started by installing the Makeblock app, available for Android and iOS. While phone versions of the apps are available, we found the tablet user interface was more usable.

Syncing over Bluetooth is handled by the app (with the usual system confirmation) and is surprisingly painless. A few moments later, you’ll be ready to control your robot project. Each supported robot build has its own control interface, enabling you to steer, guide, or otherwise manipulate the construction based on the component parts.

Additional Mobile App Features

Various extras are hidden in the mobile app that can change the way you use your robot build. For example, there’s a neat little pixel art screen that lets you alter the default LED displayed on the Master Control’s display.

There’s also the option to change some default settings. For example, with the robot arm build, you can alter the strength of the arm and grabber. Note that a different surface may be required to ensure the suction cups are properly secured. We used a varnished farmhouse-style table for this review, which has various imperfections that can weaken suction.

And if you’re looking for something new to do with your robot arm, how about mounting a pen on it? The app features a drawing tool that you can use to easily program a few words, doodles or even artwork. Watching a robot write or draw is quite a sight!

The app will also display the battery status, so you can tell when your robot will need recharging.

Programming Is Simple With Scratch and Python

When you’re done with manual control of the robot, you can begin to program it with Scratch and Python.

This is easiest via the mobile app, where you can use the Scratch software to program your robot. In the case of the arm, this could be something as simple as instructing it to pick up an object and place it elsewhere. With vehicular builds, the program might be to move around. While no standard sensors are included, this should be possible regardless if you know the distances involved.

A desktop interface is also available, called mBlock 5. This features a Scratch interface that supports the conversion of the program into Python code. A version of mBlock is also available for Android and iOS. Programming in this manner can be done live, although the best results seem to be enjoyed by uploading programs directly, as you might an Arduino.

Another, less high-tech way to program the MotionBlock robot is included. This relies on programming the Master Control module directly by recording manual servo movements. For example, you might program the arm to move around, open, and close, using your hands. This action is then saved and played back, with the robot following the steps you manually programmed by manipulating it.

Reimagine Your Robot with MotionBlock Kit

By the time you’ve reach the end of your first build with the MotionBlock kit, the truth is clear. This is a truly amazing collection of projects and activities, solidly manufactured and expertly packaged and presented.

There’s literally nothing wrong with this kit, short of the ability of a 40-something reviewer to accidentally break it. Maybe the battery could last longer, or perhaps it could feature a camera module for the vehicular builds. These are minor gripes, however.

If you have STEM or STEAM-interested kids who are in the right age group, you should seriously consider the MotionBlock kit.

Enter the Competition!

MotionBlock Robotics STEM Learning Kit Giveaway

Read the full article: Learn to Program Our Future Overlords with The MotionBlock Robotics Kit

Learn to Program Our Future Overlords with The MotionBlock Robotics Kit published first on http://droneseco.tumblr.com/

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grassroutes · 5 years

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Learn to Program Our Future Overlords with The MotionBlock Robotics Kit

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What Is STEM/STEAM?

Or more specifically, Science, Technology, Engineering, (optional Art), and Math. Often, to test kits like this, we recruit someone of suitable age to help assess its suitability.

Unboxing the MotionBlock

An immense collection of 144 components can be found inside the MotionBlock box. So many, in fact, that the (pretty heavy) box is subdivided into two smaller boxes, each loaded with robotics kit.

This, really, is the basis for the age grouping. While I suspect younger children could program the robot with Scratch, building the modules is certainly for older kids with superior motor skills.

What Can You Do With the MotionBlock Robotics Kit?

[amaon id=”B07QVQC3NY”]

The MotionBlock kit comes with various designs for you to try:

Fighter

Sampling Rover

Footballer

Gorilla

Off-Road Auto

Snake

Larva

Dog

Robotic Arm

Pitching Auto

Meanwhile, thanks to a pair of LEGO adaptors, you can also integrate your MotionBlock build with your latest LEGO project.

Building Your First Robot

Many robotics kits come with a bunch of components and modules that just snap together. A few minutes later, you’ve got a robot moving around, a program freshly uploaded via USB.

Not so with MotionBlock.

Also, the robot arm requires calibration when used with the remote, but this isn’t the case with app-based remote control.

Getting the Build Right

Unfortunately, I ran into a problem. It seems that early in the build, I connected a component incorrectly. While I immediately fixed the issue, the damage was done.

Four 16mm screws had penetrated the case of one of the servos, resulting in the arm being non-functional. This was the servo installed in the rotating block, a key component of the arm.

This happened thanks to a simple misreading of the instructions. No unreasonable force was used. In fact, it was tougher to screw the 16mm screws correctly.

Seized Up Servo

With all builds of the MotionBlock kit requiring four or more servos, that pretty much brought things to an end.

Fortunately, Makeblock were kind enough to forward a pair of replacement servos. A few weeks later, the robot was finally up and running.

Once again, the moral or the story is clear: pay close attention to every step of the instructions.

Hook Up the Mobile App to Control Your Robot via Bluetooth

Additional Mobile App Features

The app will also display the battery status, so you can tell when your robot will need recharging.

Programming Is Simple With Scratch and Python

When you’re done with manual control of the robot, you can begin to program it with Scratch and Python.

Reimagine Your Robot with MotionBlock Kit

If you have STEM or STEAM-interested kids who are in the right age group, you should seriously consider the MotionBlock kit.

Enter the Competition!

MotionBlock Robotics STEM Learning Kit Giveaway

Read the full article: Learn to Program Our Future Overlords with The MotionBlock Robotics Kit

Learn to Program Our Future Overlords with The MotionBlock Robotics Kit posted first on grassroutespage.blogspot.com

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