Physical remote control with pybricks

[pekka111]

Hi, is it possible to have physical remotes (not phone app) with a pybricks system? Especially i'm interested in infrared. So I would like to program some automation with pybricks and add some manual controls too.

Edited December 23, 2024 by pekka111

[Lok24]

1 hour ago, pekka111 said:

with a pybricks system?

Sure, XBox-controller or Lego Remote , but no Infrared.

Why would that be important?

[idlemarvel]

Well I  suppose you could use Lego colour sensors to detect the output from Lego infrared remotes under pybricks control, but why would you want to? Bluetooth / BLE would be better for many reasons.

[Lok24]

15 minutes ago, idlemarvel said:

suppose you could use Lego colour sensors to detect the output from Lego infrared remotes

perhaps yes. But this not a functionality of pybricks, as far as i know.

But I doubt that it works, cause you habe to check the PF-packet in a very short time.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Lok24

[Berthil]

With Pybricks it is possible to send out signals to the Powerfunctions infra red receiver with a PoweredUp color sensor:
https://docs.pybricks.com/en/latest/pupdevices/pfmotor.html?highlight=infra+red

This would let you use the PoweredUp train controller as the remote (without a device) to have the benefit of a Bluetooth connection (instead of the infrared remote which is a nightmare), and use PowerFunctions devices. But both would need a power source or a custom solution to have one power source.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Berthil

[pekka111]

Okay so next question :). What is wrong with infrared? I don't have the parts yet but got a cheap offer for Lego 42030 set with two remotes and sensors.

[Berthil]

With infrared you must point to the model all the time and keep the distance within a meter. So you will be walking with and pointing to your moving model. Believe it, I've done it and kids destroyed several remotes during events where I had a ball dozer GBC with Wall-E running. No such thing with the PoweredUp with Bluetooth.

It's fine to only use the PowerFunctions parts from the 42030 set, and keep pointing to the model, but invalidates your question on Pybricks and the remote, as with Pybricks you will be needing a PoweredUp hub. A PoweredUp hub with Pybricks can only work with infrared as I described earlier as it is a mix of older (discontinued) and current LEGO technology. A PowerdUp remote must be used, so the remote from 42030 is not used.

In another thread with your questions PoweredUp already was extensively explained to you, you jump from advanced LEGO robotics to discontinued analogue technology in the 42030. You should be clearer/completer with your questions or put some more research time in yourself. Since your building LLMs for AI chatbots, you should be capable of that.

With PowerFunctions you can build advanced LEGO robotics with GBC, enough examples and free instructions on my Rebrickable page.
It might appeal to you as like me, you seem to come out of your dark ages knowing only the old Technic brick system but a lot has happened since.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Berthil

[pekka111]

I wouldn't mind the short distance of infrared but if no support in pybricks... Bt remote 88010 mentioned here seems to work so that it is. Thanks for the help!

<rant> And looks like my 88012 hub would be useless without pybricks. Just tested with powered up app. I wonder why lego makes this stuff so unnecessary difficult. </rant>

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by pekka111

[Lok24]

16 hours ago, pekka111 said:

And looks like my 88012 hub would be useless without pybricks. Just tested with powered up app. I wonder why lego makes this stuff so unnecessary difficult.

There is nothing difficult at all. Most Powered Up components work together, and of course the 88012 can be used with the app.

Look at my five years old video here:

 

And of course  the 88010 works, look here; the example shows the advantage of a regulated motor, without any gears.

 

The problem still is: what do you wan to do, what are you doing? How do you use the 88012 with the app? Does it connect to the app? I thought you wanted to use pybricks?

Edited December 24, 2024 by Lok24