Step Counter

Count your steps with the micro:bit!

Turn your micro:bit into a step counter (also known as a pedometer). We’ll use the motion sensor (also known as an accelerometer) to measure when we take a step with the micro:bit.

{Step 1}

First we need to create a variable to keep track of the number of steps 🦶. A variable is a container for storing values.
Click on the ||variables:Variables|| category in the Toolbox. Click on the Make a Variable button. Give your new variable the name “steps” and click Ok.

{Step 2}

Click on the ||variables:Variables|| category in the Toolbox. You’ll notice that there are some new blocks that have appeared. Drag a ||variables:set steps|| block into the ||basic:on start|| block. This sets the value of our ||variables:steps|| variable to 0 when our program starts.

let steps = 0

{Step 3}

Let’s record a step every time our micro:bit shakes. Click on the ||input:Input|| category in the Toolbox. Drag an ||input:on shake|| block out to the workspace and place it anywhere.

input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {})

{Step 4}

Click on the ||variables:Variables|| category in the Toolbox. Drag a ||variables:change steps|| block into the ||input:on shake|| block. Now every time we shake our micro:bit (or take a step), we will add 1 to the value in our ||variables:steps|| variable.

let steps = 0
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {
    steps += 1
})

{Step 5}

Let’s show the number of steps taken. Click on the ||basic:Basic|| category in the Toolbox. Drag a ||basic:show number|| block into the ||input:on shake|| block, underneath the ||variables:change steps|| block.

let steps = 0
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {
    steps += 1
    basic.showNumber(0)
})

{Step 6}

Click on the ||variables:Variables|| category in the Toolbox. Drag a ||variables:steps|| block into the ||basic:show number|| block, replacing the number 0.

let steps = 0
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {
    steps += 1
    basic.showNumber(steps)
})

{Step 7}

Let’s test your code! Press the white SHAKE button on the micro:bit on-screen simulator, or move your cursor quickly back and forth over the simulator. Do you see the number of steps increasing on the micro:bit? ⭐ Great job! ⭐

{Step 8}

If you have a micro:bit device, connect it to your computer and click the |Download| button. Follow the instructions to transfer your code onto the micro:bit. Once your code has been downloaded, attach your micro:bit to a battery pack and put in your sock. Walk around. Is the micro:bit counting your steps?

{Step 9}

Go further - you may notice the micro:bit can’t count as fast you might run. That’s because there is a delay while the micro:bit is displaying numbers. To correct for this, click on the Hint to see an alternate solution. Learn more about how the micro:bit acccelerometer works by watching this video.

let steps = 0
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {
    steps += 1
    led.stopAnimation()
})
basic.forever(function() {
    basic.showNumber(steps)
})