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TomD.inPDX17-Peridot
17-Peridot
May 30, 2015
Question

Any Lego EV3 Aficionados Here?

  • May 30, 2015
  • 2 replies
  • 8346 views

I know Lego gets covered here from time to time.

I decided I wanted to learn some programming outside of Mechanism and hopefully have it somewhat transportable.

Did you invest in the NXT or EV3 (r)evolution from Lego and LabView?  What do you think about it?


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2 replies

J
James621-Visitor
1-Visitor
May 30, 2015

That looks interesting Lego Mindstorms EV3 vs NXT 2.0 Differences - YouTube

Do these toys have built in server hardware and Wifi interface cards like the Arduino kind of stuff?

Both of these seem to use some sort of visual programming. Are you going to try to learn OOP? And what do you mean by somewhat transportable?

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TomD.inPDX17-PeridotAuthor
17-Peridot
May 30, 2015

It is indeed feature packed.  Lego has partnered with National Instruments using LabView and created an interesting interface with operators.

I am hoping to convert the servo motor data into Lego's LabView to mimic what I was doing inside Creo.

I need some education on the real world programming front.  I opted for the Lego Education package that appears to be exactly what I need to learn the basics.  As a bonus, EV3 added data capture capabilities to the education version.  The optional software includes this.

In general it is a canned package but has a lot of interesting sensor and motor options. The Arduino stuff is a much higher level than I want to dive into.  However, people are using the Lego brick portion to drive things using other processors.

Communication includes WiFi and Bluetooth.  It is all built into the processor module.  It may require a USB Bluetooth antenna, but WiFi would probably be more universal.

You can download the home version of the software from Lego.  Without the kit, there is no simulation, obviously.  But it will give you an idea of what it can do.

Also included is the instructions for building and programming the home version robots.

Downloads - Mindstorms LEGO.com

And there is also a Lego Digital Designer.  It requires OPENGL (which most of us have!) and it can filter the kits.  It is used to do the Lego build instructions.  A little clumsy but has some interesting assembly features.

LEGO.com Digital Designer Download

Oh, and it's Linux based

D
dschenken1-Visitor
1-Visitor
May 30, 2015

Watch this video to see what the future of programming will be like based on predictions in the past. I think it's easy to see exactly where it's going. Most pertinent to this starts at 18 minutes or so, about graphical programming. Bret Victor - The Future of Programming on Vimeo

I would recommend dual widescreen monitors. The building block concept for depicting software takes a lot more screen space than conventional programming. Like a huge amount.My guess is the programmers developing Labview don't develop in Labview.

In some respects Arduino is lower on the food chain. It is pretty easy software wise, but there isn't the ready-to-build hardware supply. OTOH there is a lot more variety to the available hardware, including versions that will run for months on single 2015 alkaline cells (bigger size watch battery). The main software difference is the Arduino food chain has no OS, so it is much more focused on its task and much cheaper - under $5.00 or less at the bottom end.

And they overlap Arduino to LEGO Mindstorms Shield NXShield-Dx - RobotShop and Bricktronics Megashield Kit :: Wayne and Layne Store

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TomD.inPDX17-PeridotAuthor
17-Peridot
June 7, 2015

Just a quick update on my progress in this quest.

I finally received my EV3 education kits.  Such a joy to just put things together quickly and take them apart even faster.

Notes:

WIFI with the Lego processor requires a WIFI USB dongle.  Bummer!  ...yet noted.

Bluetooth should work and I've had the brick connect to Windows 8.1, but the Lego software didn't recognize the connection to my built-in Toshiba Bluetooth.

No worries, the communication cable worked fine once I realized the PC port was not the USB port on the brick.

I am very glad I opted for the education version as it includes a Li-Ion battery.  I would like the infrared control module, but that can be upgraded later.

I did build Gyro-Boy.  That is a hoot!  To know that Lego has accomplished a throughput to balance a robot on 2 wheels is a breakthrough in my eyes.

The program behind it is quite involved, but with the graphic interface in the software, it is very possible to backtrack the program's intent ...and modify it.

It is taking me quite some effort to understand communicating between the brick and software.

The screen is small and does not have a backlight.  Program distinction on the Lego processor are also a bit overwhelming.  It has a very limited menu system.

I am not sure I can to trig functions in the math section of the programs.  I really hoped I could enter sin() functions and such but I don't see a reference to it.

As an alternative, I did find some ramping techniques in other resources using a timer.

I have yet to play with the data capture experiments.  I have glanced at it and looks promising.  The Lego processor will even display the graphs on its little screen.

A lot can be programmed right on the Lego processor brick.  But again, as an interface, YUCK

Enjoy!

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