Pybricks Q&A

[Pybricks]

@Celeri: Yes, that “just works” now, so you don’t need to do anything special to save the program anymore.

Just run the program, and restart it with the button whenever you like.

[gyenesvi]

On 11/13/2022 at 11:08 PM, Al Ex said:

(For the sake of completeness the older Xbox One Controller support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) after Firmware Update, see Video)

This video reinforces my feeling that it should be possible to connect an Xbox Series controller (and some others) directly. @Pybricks, is there a chance to have such BLE capable controllers available for direct connection in Pybricks? This could be a killer feature that would make Pybricks really attractive for the lego RC guys.

On 11/17/2022 at 3:52 PM, Pybricks said:

It's a standard protocol. There's a tutorial to communicate with any type of device, including a PC or a phone: https://pybricks.com/projects/tutorials/wireless/hub-to-device/pc-communication/

Thanks for this link, now I understand, it is only the basic UART communication protocol that's provided, and I could invent my own app specific control protocol on top of that. Makes sense, since what we are doing with Pybricks is actually programming part of the FW.

[Pybricks]

@gyenesvi, it might be possible. See https://github.com/pybricks/support/issues/262 for a high level plan.

We have quite a bit of other work in the pipeline too though. If you want to support our work, that is now possible via https://beta.pybricks.com/

[gyenesvi]

On 11/25/2022 at 8:49 AM, Pybricks said:

@gyenesvi, it might be possible. See https://github.com/pybricks/support/issues/262 for a high level plan.

We have quite a bit of other work in the pipeline too though. If you want to support our work, that is now possible via https://beta.pybricks.com/

Great, thanks, I'll look into the discussions! By support, do you mean testing or coding help?

[Pybricks]

That's always good too! In this case I meant that the beta app now has the support button (the heart icon in the top right).

[gyenesvi]

11 minutes ago, Pybricks said:

That's always good too! In this case I meant that the beta app now has the support button (the heart icon in the top right).

Oh, I was looking for that kind of support as well, but didn't find it, was looking at the Support label that redirected me to GitHub..

[fotoopa]

I am trying to make a serial connection to the RI or the technic hub. Herewith a short program to activate it:

 

from pybricks.hubs import InventorHub

from pybricks.iodevices import UARTDevice

serial = UARTDevice(Port.E, 115200, timeout= None)

hub = InventorHub()

 

ImportError: can't import name UARTDevice

I would have liked to make a serial connection to one of the hubs (Inventor hub or poweredup hub). When I see this error I think this Class is not available yet. Such a serial connection would allow me to exchange data data between a Fischer technic application and a Lego hub. I suspect that the basis for a serial connection must exist but is not yet available in the latest beta version.

I use the version: v3.2.0b5 (Pybricks Beta v2.0.0-beta.11)

Is there any timing when approximately this would be available?

Frans.

 

 

 

 

 

[Polarlicht]

Driving the Cat in snow using pybricks software and train remote control device.

 

[2GodBDGlory]

59 minutes ago, Polarlicht said:

Driving the Cat in snow using pybricks software and train remote control device.

That's a great use for PyBricks and a physical remote!
Operating the touchscreen in the winter would have been torturous...

[Polarlicht]

Yeah, also when you use the phone for filming :D

[2GodBDGlory]

31 minutes ago, Polarlicht said:

Yeah, also when you use the phone for filming :D

Good point! I've had annoyance with that trying to film PU MOCs before!

[gyenesvi]

4 hours ago, Polarlicht said:

Yeah, also when you use the phone for filming :D

That's exactly the problem I have too. For slow crawler models using the touch screen on a tablet and filming with the phone with a gimbal that even tracts the motion of the model works okay-ish. But for faster models, tracking breaks down, and control from the touch screen is also a huge pain. That is why (proportional) physical control would be a double advantage: no need for two devices and no problems with the touchscreen.

@Pybricks, one more question. While browsing your GitHub repo pages, I have read somewhere that you guys could not resist experimenting with Pybricks on other devices as well. Did you by any chance try to port it to Buwizz 3 as well? It seems to have issues with the firmware, and it would be awesome to be able to replace it.

BTW, I find the Pybricks code pretty clean and well organized, great job!

[Pybricks]

Thanks for sharing @Polarlicht, it's awesome! We shared it on Facebook earlier today. It's definitely a use case we hadn't thought of. Now you just need a GPS module ;)

@gyenesvi, Thanks for looking through the code. That is always good. Our main focus will probably remain LEGO hubs, but we're always happy to talk to third parties about possible collaborations.

 

[AVCampos]

25 minutes ago, Pybricks said:

Now you just need a GPS module ;)

Not as precise, but in a pinch the motor encoders and the accelerometer can be used for some rough dead reckoning.

[Polarlicht]

I wish i showed using the train PU device in the video, but i just hope people believe it that i used it.

I installed the software back in july (page 6 and 7 in this thread),  but never really played since

[Jayden]

On 12/12/2022 at 4:41 AM, Polarlicht said:

Yeah, also when you use the phone for filming :D

Just use an old phone as the remote!

[BatteryPoweredBricks]

17 minutes ago, Jayden said:

Just use an old phone as the remote!

Just my 2 cents but I avoid phones at all cost.  The lag is unbearable for RC applications and touchscreen controls just doesn't feel right (actually there's no feeling at all).  I don't have any old phones with BLE anyway, just my primary phone that I use for filming.

What I'd really like to see is a pistol grip remote (like hobby RC vehicles) with BLE, even then I'm sure there would be a lot of lag.  I'll never understand why everything is moving to such a slow protocol.  I have tons of issues with audio BT devices as well. 

After driving real RC vehicles everything else just feels like garbage.  Will we ever have an RC solution for Lego without BT lag or IR interference?  As many third party companies are out there I'd really like to see some kind of solution to this.

[Polarlicht]

3 hours ago, Jayden said:

Just use an old phone as the remote!

I don't have and second old phone, nor do i wanna use one anyway.

[Jayden]

6 hours ago, BatteryPoweredBricks said:

The lag is unbearable for RC applications

It's not too bad in my experience.

6 hours ago, BatteryPoweredBricks said:

touchscreen controls just doesn't feel right

Agreed, but they are endlessly customizable.

6 hours ago, BatteryPoweredBricks said:

Will we ever have an RC solution for Lego without BT lag or IR interference?

I do hope so.

4 hours ago, Polarlicht said:

I don't have and second old phone, nor do i wanna use one anyway.

Fair enough.

[Pybricks]

15 hours ago, Polarlicht said:

I wish i showed using the train PU device in the video, but i just hope people believe it that i used it.

I installed the software back in july (page 6 and 7 in this thread),  but never really played since

But that's the best part! With Pybricks, your program remains saved without having to think about it :)

[gyenesvi]

9 hours ago, BatteryPoweredBricks said:

Will we ever have an RC solution for Lego without BT lag or IR interference?  As many third party companies are out there I'd really like to see some kind of solution to this.

There was this experimental RC stuff from some russian enthusiasts, but I guess it never became a product for sale unfortunately. I'd also try it if there was something out there.

 

9 hours ago, BatteryPoweredBricks said:

What I'd really like to see is a pistol grip remote (like hobby RC vehicles) with BLE, even then I'm sure there would be a lot of lag.  I'll never understand why everything is moving to such a slow protocol.  I have tons of issues with audio BT devices as well. 

I'd be curious how much it would improve the lag situation if the remote was directly connected to the hub, not through the intermediary phone. I believe it would be much better already.

[Lok24]

2 minutes ago, gyenesvi said:

I'd be curious how much it would improve the lag situation if the remote was directly connected to the hub,

That's exctly what Pybricks does.

Did you try?

[gyenesvi]

1 minute ago, Lok24 said:

That's exctly what Pybricks does.

It doesn't do it with a BLE gamepad controller, only with the lego remote, which is not proportional just on-off, so looses the point of fast/precise control (for example for steering).

[Lok24]

Yes, sure, but to check if the lag is improved that should be useful

[gyenesvi]

5 minutes ago, Lok24 said:

Yes, sure, but to check if the lag is improved that should be useful

Hmm, not sure how I could do a good comparison. For one, I don't have a lego remote as it is not useful for me, but even if I had, what do I compare it to? What could be a good test application for the comparison? Comparing two solutions for on-ff throttle / steering (lego remote vs gamepad through BrickController) for example would not really make the difference visible I guess. Do you have any other ideas? I believe the real test would be comparing two ways to use a proportional gamepad controller, (directly or via phone) in a setting that has/requires precise control.