Turtlebots are programmable bots that can be used to build and dig in Luanti (formerly known as minetest)
This video provides a quick overview of turtlebots:
If you want to play turtlebots without the distractions of other luanti/minetest mods – a common request for classroom use, there is a standalone game for Luanti that you can download and install here: Turtlebots Classroom
Windows/macOS/Linux/Android users can all find detailed instructions for either installing or compiling Luanti from the official website.
Installing turtlebots in Luanti
- Open Luanti
- Click on the "Content" tab.
- Click "Browse Online Content"
- Search for "turtlebots"
- Click the turtlebots mod or game in the search results
- Click "Install"
Installing turtlebots from source
You can install the mod manually by downloading or cloning the repository into your Luanti/minetest mods folder.
On windows, this is typically %appdata%\.minetest\mods. On Linux, this is typically ~/.minetest/mods. On macOS, this is typically ~/Library/Application Support/minetest/mods. Note that these folders won't exist until you have run Luanti at least once.
cd ~/Library/Application\ Support/minetest/mods
git clone https://github.com/jmole/turtlebots.git- The turtlebots mod adds a new block called
turtlebots:offto the game. You can find it in your creative inventory. - If you are using the turtlebots-classroom game, it will automatically be in your hand when you start the game.
- You can place a turtlebot on the ground by right clicking a node when you're holding it.
- After it's been placed, right clicking the turtlebot will open the turtlebot code window GUI.
The turtlebot code window GUI has:
- a command palette on the left side
- a code block editor on the right.
To add commands to a program:
- click on the name of the program you want to modify
- click on the commands in the command palette.
Each row in the code block editor is a separate program. When START is pressed, the turtlebot will execute the program in the first row (the start program).
Expand to see what this program does
- Call program
A, moving the turtlebot forward 3 steps (1 +2) - Turn right 90 degrees.
- Call program
A, moving the turtlebot forward 3 steps (1 +2) - Turn right 90 degrees.
- Call program
A, moving the turtlebot forward 3 steps (1 +2) - Turn right 90 degrees.
- Call program
A, moving the turtlebot forward 3 steps (1 +2) - Turn right 90 degrees.