compass

Display the direction that the micro:bit is facing using the compass

Welcome! This guided tutorial will show you how to program a script that displays the direction the micro:bit is pointing. Let’s get started!

Step 1

Create a loop that will continuously update the reading of the compass.

basic.forever(() => {

})

Step 2

Store the reading of the micro:bit in a variable called degrees.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading()
})

Step 3

If degrees is less than 45 or greater than 315, then the compass heading is mostly pointing toward North. Display N on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
});

Step 4

If degrees is less than 135, the micro:bit is mostly pointing East. Display E on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
});

Step 5

If degrees is less than 225, the micro:bit is mostly pointing South. Display S on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
    else if (degrees < 225) {
        basic.showString("S");
    }
});

Step 6

If none of these conditions returned true, then the micro:bit must be pointing West. Display W on the micro:bit.

basic.forever(() => {
    let degrees = input.compassHeading();
    if (degrees < 45 || degrees > 315) {
        basic.showString("N");
    }
    else if (degrees < 135) {
        basic.showString("E");
    }
    else if (degrees < 225) {
        basic.showString("S");
    }
    else {
        basic.showString("W");
    }
});