New toys, new problems...
New toys, new problems...
by kong
Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:33 pm
First, i am new to robotics and bought a Robonova1. I assembled it and loaded robobasic. Its awsome! Next i bought a gyro and used the codes from ODDROBOT and BAM again AWSOME!. The only problem is now the LED blinks off and on. The unit performs great, is this a concern?
Also, the gyro im using is a CYCONE PG-03. Its working okay. Would a more expensive one perform better?
Also, the gyro im using is a CYCONE PG-03. Its working okay. Would a more expensive one perform better?
Last edited by kong on Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
by Spiked3
Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:23 pm
I followed the same path and was pretty happy. Up until I started wanting to do something other than just pose it. Not sure what I was expecting, but as a programmer the first thing I tried was continuous movement routines and got pretty disappointed with robobasic. Not so much for the limits of the language, but for things like remcon taking so many cycles you cant really insert it into continuous motion routines.
The documentation is scarce as well - i have yet to see a good explanation on how to use the action subroutines, and the explanation of goto auto which works in conjunction with them. I would like to load the common things into rom, and my evolving program into flash and I get the idea this can be done, but like I said, I havent seen a good how to on it.
At the moment I ordered a bluetooth receiver to replace the infrared for remote commands, and the USPS lost it. So I have not done much with it lately.
The blinking light is a result of the default code detecting that your battery is low. Mine worked the first 2 minutes I turned the robot on, and has not worked since. There is a lot of posts that indicate the voltage detection circuitry is bad and suggests commenting out the code that checks for voltage. There is also a suggested improved hardware fix, but conflicting suggestions for resistor values as well a warning that it may cause damage to the batteries, so I have stayed away from it.
The documentation is scarce as well - i have yet to see a good explanation on how to use the action subroutines, and the explanation of goto auto which works in conjunction with them. I would like to load the common things into rom, and my evolving program into flash and I get the idea this can be done, but like I said, I havent seen a good how to on it.
At the moment I ordered a bluetooth receiver to replace the infrared for remote commands, and the USPS lost it. So I have not done much with it lately.
The blinking light is a result of the default code detecting that your battery is low. Mine worked the first 2 minutes I turned the robot on, and has not worked since. There is a lot of posts that indicate the voltage detection circuitry is bad and suggests commenting out the code that checks for voltage. There is also a suggested improved hardware fix, but conflicting suggestions for resistor values as well a warning that it may cause damage to the batteries, so I have stayed away from it.
by kong
Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:45 pm
Thanks!, it sounds like you know what your talking about. Let me know how the bluetooth addition goes, (i'll probobly ask you how you did it). Another question... Going through the robobasic codes and programming manual i'm pretty much a read and do guy. You being a programmer, What do you suggest (short of a student loan) to help me get a better understanding of this new hobby?
by Spiked3
Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:27 am
Are you starting out programming?
When I started, basic was the hot thing and so basic and fortran were my first 2 languages (mid 70s). The problem you will have starting out today is the basics that are 'modern' do not translate well to things like robobasic. While Microsoft offers a free express visual basic, it will probably confuse you more than help. I would suggest finding a GNU (free) basic compiler, and simple editor you are comfortable with. Notepad would almost work but im sure there are plenty of simple programming editors out there.
Then start by writing a simple game, like blackjack, or some dice game - something simple to get your feet wet on the concepts of variables, loops, conditionals etc. Once you do that it will be easier to have ideas for your robobasic programs.
The problem with robobasic alone as a starting point is diagnosing programming errors is very difficult, unless you add the LCD device or something similar, and even then it is not ideal. With basic on your PC, you can insert lots of print statements to see where things go wrong.
good luck, do a lot of reading.
When I started, basic was the hot thing and so basic and fortran were my first 2 languages (mid 70s). The problem you will have starting out today is the basics that are 'modern' do not translate well to things like robobasic. While Microsoft offers a free express visual basic, it will probably confuse you more than help. I would suggest finding a GNU (free) basic compiler, and simple editor you are comfortable with. Notepad would almost work but im sure there are plenty of simple programming editors out there.
Then start by writing a simple game, like blackjack, or some dice game - something simple to get your feet wet on the concepts of variables, loops, conditionals etc. Once you do that it will be easier to have ideas for your robobasic programs.
The problem with robobasic alone as a starting point is diagnosing programming errors is very difficult, unless you add the LCD device or something similar, and even then it is not ideal. With basic on your PC, you can insert lots of print statements to see where things go wrong.
good luck, do a lot of reading.
