Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about MBC-Pro Sensors for students, coaches and teachers. Can't find your question? Use the technical support form (it lays out the email for you), or email contactmbcrobot@gmail.com.

Compatibility

Do MBC sensors work with LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime and the official SPIKE app?

Yes. The line followers (Pathfinder 8-Way and 16-Way) plug straight into any SPIKE™ Prime port and can be read with the standard SPIKE blocks, so beginners can start without writing Python. Advanced teams can use Python or Pybricks for faster loops.

Do I need an adapter board or a driver?

No. MBC sensors use the same connectors and communication protocols as the LEGO® hub ports. Plug the sensor in and the hub recognizes it.

Which controllers and software are supported?

• LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime / Robot Inventor: official SPIKE app and Pybricks
• LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3: EV3 software, EV3 Classroom, clev3r and Pybricks
• Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi: the shared Universal I2C Protocol
• MATRIX Mini R4 and MakeBlock (mBot and others): selected products, see the Buying Guide

Are the SPIKE and EV3 editions interchangeable?

No. Each product comes in controller-specific editions with different connectors and protocols. Please confirm your controller model before ordering. The Buying Guide lists which edition you need.

Does the MBC EXP6 6-Port Motor Expander (for LEGO® SPIKE™) work with SPIKE word blocks?

No. In the official app it requires Python text mode. The EXP6 works with SPIKE™ Prime, and with Robot Inventor (51515) through Python in the Robot Inventor App; not EV3. it is also fully supported in Pybricks. See the EXP6 page.

Competitions

Can I use MBC sensors in WRO?

Yes. Since the 2025 season, WRO RoboMission allows hardware from any brand. Some age-group limits apply: cameras are for Junior and Senior only, and remote-control receivers cannot be used during runs. See our WRO Rules Check for each product.

Can I use MBC sensors in FIRST® LEGO® League?

Not in official FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge matches, which allow LEGO-made parts only. You can use them for classes, practice and competitions with open hardware rules.

Which other competitions allow MBC sensors?

WRO Future Engineers and Robofest allow any platform, and in Taiwan so do AERC (whose Group A rules name the MBC Pathfinder), GRG (AI Maker Series and Open), MRC and JBC. RoboCupJunior Rescue bans ready-made line-following modules. See the Competition Guide for a product-by-product check.

Is the laser in the Ranger sensors eye-safe?

Yes. The laser ranging components in both Ranger sensors (TOF2 and TOF8) are Class 1 laser devices compliant with IEC 60825-1:2014. WRO asks for proof of eye safety at inspection; see the WRO Rules Check for what to show.

Does the SharpShot Vision use Wi-Fi?

No. Its firmware (the current firmware v1 and the legacy School / WRO editions) contains no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth code, so the radio is never turned on. The camera talks to your hub by cable.

Choosing a Product

Should I choose the Pathfinder 8-Way or 16-Way?

Choose the 8-Way for reliable line following on typical maps; it is compact and the most common competition choice. Choose the 16-Way for fast turns and many intersections, because its wider view reads turns and junctions in one read.

How do I calibrate the line sensors?

Hold the calibration button for 0.5 s; when the green LED lights up, sweep the sensor over the white surface and the black line within 5 seconds. The LED turns off and the calibration is saved automatically, no second press needed. The calibration is stored in the sensor and kept after power-off. Details are on the Pathfinder 8-Way page.

How far can the Ranger 8-Way (TOF8) see?

From 0 to 1,200 mm, across 180° in front of the robot (90° to each side). A reading of 1,200 mm means there is no target in that direction.

Will the PS4/PS5 receiver connect to another team's controller?

No. The receiver bonds only to your own controller, so it will not pick up other teams' gamepads at a busy event. If the signal is lost, its outputs return to zero within 0.3 seconds. In open-field tests it held a stable connection at 100 m.

Is the legacy SharpShot Vision (School / WRO edition) still supported? Can I upgrade it?

SharpShot Vision units shipped before 2026-10 (School and WRO editions) are no longer supported; their guides and examples stay for reference on the legacy editions page. To upgrade to the current SharpShot Vision, contact the distributor you bought it from and send it back: the firmware update is free, and the buyer pays shipping both ways.

Pricing and Ordering

How much do MBC sensors cost?

Manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) in US dollars, shipping not included:

Controller 2.4G (PS2) is sold in Taiwan only.

How do I order, and do you work with distributors?

Email contactmbcrobot@gmail.com or message us on LINE with your controller, the products you need and your country. We reply within 3 business days. School orders and distributor enquiries are welcome.