ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK

ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK – Dual IR Sensor Module for Autonomous Line-Tracking Robots

The ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK (Makeblock Part Number 11005) is an essential reflective photoelectric sensor module designed for autonomous line-following robotic platforms. Engineered primarily for Makeblock mBot, mBot Ranger, and STEM educational kits, the ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK enables robots to detect and follow tracks, traverse mazes, and maintain course boundaries.

As shown in the product image, the sensor features a compact black circuit board populated with dual infrared (IR) sender-receiver pairs (Sensor1 and Sensor2) on the underside, status LEDs, and a standardized RJ25 modular connector port labeled with a blue tag for effortless plug-and-play wiring.

Key Features of the ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK

Dual Infrared Sensor Pair: Integrates two independent sensor pairs, each containing an IR-emitting LED paired with a high-sensitivity phototransistor.
Blue-Tag RJ25 Interface: Features a 6P6C RJ25 port labeled with a blue tag, allowing plug-and-play connectivity to dual-digital ports on Makeblock control boards (such as Orion, mCore, or Me Auriga).
4-Pin Header Breakout: Includes $2.54text{ mm}$ pitch headers (S1, S2, VCC, GND) for wiring directly to standard Arduino Uno, Mega, or third-party microcontroller boards.
Visual LED Feedback: Equipped with a power status LED and two individual status LEDs that illuminate instantly when a specific IR sensor detects a reflective light surface.
Modular Mechanical Design: Built with $16text{ mm}$ interval M4 mounting holes, ensuring seamless physical mounting to aluminum structural beams and LEGO-compatible building bricks.
Reverse Power Protection: Designed with onboard power protection to prevent circuit damage if power connections are accidentally inverted.

Common Applications and Industrial Usage

The fast detection speeds and software simplicity of the ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK make it an essential accessory for robotics projects:

Autonomous Track Navigation: Serves as the primary navigation sensor for mBot robots following black-line tracks on light floors or white lines on dark floors.
Robotics Competitions & STEM Education: Widely utilized in educational robotics courses, line-following speed races, and autonomous maze-solving competitions.
Boundary & Tabletop Guarding: Programmed to keep mobile robots within designated arena lines or prevent them from falling off elevated surfaces.
Proximity & Surface Contrast Sensing: Detects surface color variations or object presence within its short-range detection field.

Technical Specifications

The operational capabilities, mechanical dimensions, and pinout definition of the ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK module include:

Parameter Specification	Technical Details & Operational Values
Component Classification	Dual IR Reflective Line-Follower Sensor Module
Primary Target Keyword	ME LINE FOLLOWER V2.2 MAKEBLOCK
Makeblock SKU / Reference	`11005`
Operating Voltage	$5.0text{ V DC}$
Operating Temperature	$0text{ °C to }70text{ °C}$ ( $32text{ °F to }158text{ °F}$ )
Detection Range	$1text{ cm to }2text{ cm}$ ( $0.39text{" to }0.78text{"}$ )
Detection Angle	$< 120^circ$
Control Signal Output	Dual Digital Output (`0` for Black Line / High Absorption, `1` for White Surface / High Reflection)
Interface Tag Color	Blue (Dual Digital Interface)
Connector Types	$1 times text{RJ25 (6P6C)}$ Port & $4 times 2.54text{ mm}$ Header Pins
Software Compatibility	mBlock 3, mBlock 5, Arduino IDE (Makeblock Library)
Physical Dimensions	$51text{ mm} times 24text{ mm} times 22text{ mm}$ ( $2.0text{"} times 0.94text{"} times 0.86text{"}$ )

Working Principle and Programming Guide

Working Principle: The module emits infrared light toward the surface below. White or light-colored surfaces reflect diffuse light back into the phototransistor, outputting a digital state of 1. Black lines absorb the infrared light, preventing reflection and outputting a digital state of 0.

Graphical Coding (mBlock): Use the pre-built line follower [PORT] [SENSOR] block in mBlock 5 or mBlock 3 to read values (0 or 1) directly to drive your robot’s motors.

Arduino C++ Code: Include the standard Makeblock-Library and call MeLineFollower lineFollower(PORT) to quickly fetch real-time state array data via lineFollower.readSensors().

Ambient Light Consideration: High ambient sunlight or infrared interference can alter phototransistor sensitivity; shield the sensors or calibrate detection thresholds in direct sunlight.

To review official developer documentation, Arduino libraries, and complete module wiring diagrams, visit the official Makeblock Technical Support Center.

To explore our complete range of educational robotics hardware or request quotes for bulk classroom kits, connect with our team via the Control Qatar Contact Page.