Unboxing XGO Rider: First Look at Self‑Balancing Micro:bit Robot

A Palm‑Sized Self‑Balancing Marvel

Two wheels, razor‑sharp balance, rugged metal mechanics and a learning curve that’s pure fun—this is the XGO Rider! I recently unboxed the Elecfreaks micro:bit XGO Rider kit, and it quickly impressed me with its build quality and the sheer range of things it can do. Below is my detailed walkthrough of the unboxing, setup and hands‑on testing of this DIY self‑balancing robot.

What’s Inside XGO Rider ?

When you open the XGO Rider kit you get everything you need to build and program your own balancing robot—except the micro:bit board. My kit contained:

• XGO Rider robot body – a compact frame that houses the servos, motors and sensors.
• Rider Adapter board – plugs into the robot and connects to a micro:bit (sold separately).
• Brushless wheel‑hub motors and metal‑gear servos already installed.
• USB‑C charging cable.
• 18500 2S 1 400 mAh rechargeable battery.
• Quick Start Guide.

The micro:bit board must be purchased separately and installed in the slot on top of the robot.

Design and Build Quality

The XGO Rider’s dimensions are roughly 135 mm × 118 mm with a height that adjusts between 116 mm and 158 mm. It’s made from 1 mm aluminium alloy, PC and carbon‑fibre parts, so it feels sturdy yet lightweight—it weighs about 600 g.

The servos are metal‑shell, steel‑gear units with 360‑degree magnetic encoders and dual‑axis TTL serial control. Each wheel is driven by an 8.4 V magnetically‑encoded outer‑rotor brushless motor with 0.1 N m of torque. A compact ESP32‑WROVER‑B module on the adapter board provides Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and includes a USB‑C charging port.

Battery and Speaker

Power comes from the 1 400 mAh rechargeable battery, which the specifications rate at around two hours of runtime under comprehensive conditions. There’s also an 8 Ω 3 W speaker on the board for audio output.

Programming and Control Options

One of the biggest draws of the XGO Rider is its flexibility. You can program it using MakeCode, Python or even MicroBlocks. The kit also features Bluetooth remote control via the official XGO mobile app, which lets you drive the robot directly from your phone.

Case Library

Elecfreaks includes a case library of over 15 prewritten projects designed to teach different robotics concepts. These cases range from basic movements to more complex behaviours, and they make it easy for beginners to explore programming and robotics without starting from scratch.

Quick Start: Setting Up the XGO Rider

Setting up the XGO Rider is straightforward. Here’s what I did:

1. Prepare the micro:bit, XGO Rider and USB cable. You’ll need a PC to transfer code to the micro:bit.
2. Download the sample program from the Elecfreaks site and copy it to the micro:bit via USB. After copying, the micro:bit disconnects and reconnects automatically—this is normal.
3. Insert the micro:bit into the Rider Adapter.
4. Turn on the power by flipping the switch on the robot. Because the robot balances itself, it will rock back and forth slightly when starting up. Make sure it’s on a flat surface and not near the edge of a table.
5. Test the effect demonstration. When you touch the micro:bit’s logo, the XGO Rider performs a “LiftRotation” action; when you clap or make a loud sound, it resets to its original balanced position.

I was up and running within minutes, and the robot immediately impressed me with how smoothly it recovered its balance.

Highlights from My Hands‑On Experience

• Self‑Balancing Capabilities: The high‑torque servos and brushless motors keep the robot upright even when it’s moving forward, backward or turning. The balancing routine is built into the firmware and works automatically.
• Versatile Programming: I used MakeCode’s drag‑and‑drop blocks to write a simple program that makes the robot move forward, stop and then rotate. Switching to Python was easy using the same extension.
• Interactive Inputs: The on‑board sensors respond to touch and sound: tapping the micro:bit logo triggers specific actions, and clapping returns the robot to its starting posture.
• Educational Focus: With 15+ case projects included, this kit is ideal for classrooms and STEM workshops. It’s rated for students aged 10 and up.
• Long‑Lasting Battery: In my tests, the robot ran for about two hours on a single charge, matching the official specification.

Pros And Cons of XGO Rider

Pros	Cons
High build quality with metal gears and carbon‑fibre parts.	The micro:bit board is not included, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.
Flexible programming options (MakeCode, Python and MicroBlocks).	Runtime is about two hours, so extended sessions require recharging.
Bluetooth control for instant fun without coding.
Educational case library that supports structured learning.
Compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport and store.

Conclusion

Overall, the Elecfreaks XGO Rider is one of the most impressive educational robotics kits I’ve tested. It combines a solid mechanical build with thoughtful programming support and interactive features. Whether you’re a beginner learning to code, a teacher looking for classroom tools or a hobbyist seeking a new challenge, this DIY self‑balancing robot offers hours of engaging learning and entertainment.