SBrick General Discussion

[brunojj1]

Could you somehow measure it or check, whether it is a hardware limitation or delay of managing software (the simplest way is to try other device on the same Lego creation)? I'm interested in this, because I'm waiting (or, maybe, hoping, but I've read, that SDK release is at least planned) for SBrick SDK (or something like this) to give commands via Sbrick from my own programs, and if delay is big enough, it might be not the best suitable solution :(

Compared to LEGO InfraRed

[Leif]

Today I got mine 2 pieces of these "brilliant" electronincs. I really hoped it would work, especially for the contest which I was considering to take part in. But the whole thing is disappointing, let´s tell why:

- the app has to get some massive update! (I use android 4-3)

- it is very unstable and crashes easily

- LED doesn´t flash constantly which would be a really good sign for beeing connected e.g.

- sometimes LED doesn´t react while beeing tested, the 4 outputs do

- a profile for using e.g. 1 servo for "steering" and 3 motors / outputs for "acceleration" doesn´t work, because only 1 motor reacts for acceleration

- so nothing to say about using 2 sbricks parallel

- the most disappointing aspect is the DELAY OF COMMAND! Maybe this issue cannot be solved because of the bluetooth hardware limitations...

Even if beeing disappointed in the first step, I don´t like to make my own final judgement.

Waiting for urgent updates coming!

@ JIM: will you do you entry soon ;-)?

Somehow I get the feeling that iPhone users experience fewer quirks with the app than android users do. Can't prove it scientifically though.

Maybe a poll about satisfaction of app, per platform?

[Rascko]

iPhone users experience fewer quirks with the app than android users do.

For all hardware-related stuff it's a common issue: in general, variety of iOS devices is much smaller, than Android ones, therefore it should be easier to test apps on iOS => less quirks in final product.

[Leif]

For all hardware-related stuff it's a common issue: in general, variety of iOS devices is much smaller, than Android ones, therefore it should be easier to test apps on iOS => less quirks in final product.

Yes you are right. Well let's not make this an iphone vs android battle but I think that "bashing where it's due", Sbrick is a good thing and everything works as designed, but it takes time to take all those android models in consideration.

[Jim]

Today I got mine 2 pieces of these "brilliant" electronincs. I really hoped it would work, especially for the contest which I was considering to take part in. But the whole thing is disappointing, let´s tell why:

- the app has to get some massive update! (I use android 4-3)

- it is very unstable and crashes easily

- LED doesn´t flash constantly which would be a really good sign for beeing connected e.g.

- sometimes LED doesn´t react while beeing tested, the 4 outputs do

- a profile for using e.g. 1 servo for "steering" and 3 motors / outputs for "acceleration" doesn´t work, because only 1 motor reacts for acceleration

- so nothing to say about using 2 sbricks parallel

- the most disappointing aspect is the DELAY OF COMMAND! Maybe this issue cannot be solved because of the bluetooth hardware limitations...

Even if beeing disappointed in the first step, I don´t like to make my own final judgement.

Waiting for urgent updates coming!

@ JIM: will you do you entry soon ;-)?

You can still take part in the contest, but you might consider using PF for your entry model.

I have finished most of the chassis, but I am currently working on two big reviews, so it's on hold momentarily. But I will finish it. I am thinking of motorizing the 42039 the same way you did, which makes it easy to re-use the SBricks profile.

For all hardware-related stuff it's a common issue: in general, variety of iOS devices is much smaller, than Android ones, therefore it should be easier to test apps on iOS => less quirks in final product.

True! Being an iOS developer myself I can concur what Rascko said. There are simply way less devices to take into consideration and the available device work more or less the same. This makes it much easier to focus on developing a better working app.

[Leif]

Today I retrofitted(?) the Madoca SUV mk2 with SBRick. no problems with the space, actually now has two holes in the roof that I forgot to fix...

I used the 42030 panel in Iphone SBrick as dashboard for the SUV. It seemed appropiate.

steering and driving in a joystick.

shocks elevation in one lever and gearbox in other level.

not perfect but I couldn't wait for a better dashboard

However, one strange thing occurs with the communication with the SBrick device.

Steering together with driving is really smooth and good communication.

But when I change gear or change shocks elevation - while driving - the car stops and I have to move my driving thumb i.e. new signal so to speak in order to get the car moving again.

Anyone can confirm this issue and ideas to a solution?

It might just be that I should not use the 42030 dashboard, but hey, the signals should work together nevertheless!?

[Blakbird]

However, one strange thing occurs with the communication with the SBrick device.

Steering together with driving is really smooth and good communication.

But when I change gear or change shocks elevation - while driving - the car stops and I have to move my driving thumb i.e. new signal so to speak in order to get the car moving again.

Anyone can confirm this issue and ideas to a solution?

Could be a limitation of your touchscreen. Touchscreens are only possible of resolving a fixed number of touch points at any given time. Maybe yours can only handle 2.

[Leif]

Could be a limitation of your touchscreen. Touchscreens are only possible of resolving a fixed number of touch points at any given time. Maybe yours can only handle 2.

Yeah, but driving/steeing is one touch point - see pic of 42030 dash.

Gear up/down second touch point.

I can of course "pinch" on the iphone so two touch points should not be an issue..

[Blakbird]

I can of course "pinch" on the iphone so two touch points should not be an issue..

A modern iPhone supports 5 touch points, so that is probably not the problem.

[D3K]

A modern iPhone supports 5 touch points, so that is probably not the problem.

Way way off topic, but anyone know why on earth it supports FIVE FINGERS at once?

[Blakbird]

Way way off topic, but anyone know why on earth it supports FIVE FINGERS at once?

It's actually really useful. There are various multi touch gestures you can use to accomplish specific tasks. For insatnce, you can switch between open apps by swiping 4 fingers.

[BondemandClausen]

The problem you are having Leif, I also experienced with my Ropa Sugarbeet harvester. It happens when I have functions running continuesly, and I use a function, where the button returns to center. The prototypes didn't had that flaw, and I have made the Sbrick Team aware of the problem, so they are working on it. I don't think it has something to do with the ipad/iphone, because it only occurs on functions that are connected to the same Sbrick.

[Rascko]

BTW, question to all, who have tried Sbrick with servo motor - does it allow to have "feedback" (i.e. could Sbrick get information about position of servo motor and return it to user device)?

[Leif]

The problem you are having Leif, I also experienced with my Ropa Sugarbeet harvester. It happens when I have functions running continuesly, and I use a function, where the button returns to center. The prototypes didn't had that flaw, and I have made the Sbrick Team aware of the problem, so they are working on it. I don't think it has something to do with the ipad/iphone, because it only occurs on functions that are connected to the same Sbrick.

Thanks for the input, we'll have to wait for an update then, no problems.

[MajorAlvega]

BTW, question to all, who have tried Sbrick with servo motor - does it allow to have "feedback" (i.e. could Sbrick get information about position of servo motor and return it to user device)?

I had.

The PF servo doesn't have feedback. And if it had, the SBrick has no external input (at least not the actual version... there is some discussion about future features).

[nicjasno]

Hm...

I tried connecting the sbrick today, but it doesn't seem to work.

I have it set up exactly like on the instruction sheet. A battery box with fresh batteries, a pf cable connecting the battery box and sbrick and a servo motor connected.

The LED on the sbrick barely lights up and is atm not lit up, however the sbrick android app does recognise the sbrick and says it's connected. When disconnecting and reconnecting the servo, it does realign itself to the center (as it should), but none of the sliders in the test profiles seem to do anything. And yes, i have enabled all 4 outputs on the sbrick.

The port tester works, motors respond, but when entering a profile, nothing happens.

Help? :(

Edited January 17, 2015 by nicjasno

[Jelmer]

Have you assigned Sbrick-ports to functions within the model-page?

[MajklSpajkl]

Since the new android app update with a tutorial I've managed to get three profiles working: test1, test2 and gamepad2. The app still crashes sometimes, but most of the times ob XPeria SP and on LG G Pad. It is more reliable on LG G3. So there is some progress...

[Jim]

For all you StarBrick Wars fan

[Lipko]

Sorry if this is covered in the description or the discussion, but I need this info for a design decision and I'm running out of time so I don't want to stuck on this.

So, Can the SBrick handle stalling motors somehow with the controlling application? Something like "stop motor if a given power consumption/exposure time peak occurs"? I want to control a gearbox and due to space limitations I want to avoid clutch gears and servo motors, but also avoid the motor stalling thing.

[MajorAlvega]

So, Can the SBrick handle stalling motors somehow with the controlling application? Something like "stop motor if a given power consumption/exposure time peak occurs"? I want to control a gearbox and due to space limitations I want to avoid clutch gears and servo motors, but also avoid the motor stalling thing.

I think your best chance is asking directly at social.sbrick.com 'technical questions', Tamás usually answers at same day.

I think that present version of SBrick firmware doesn't offer this functionality. We are expecting (at least I am) a new version that offers internal temperature and voltage readings and some other functions. I think it's not possible to read current to detect stalled motor condition but it might be possible to infer from temperature, not sure if quick enough to prevent damage.

And then you need client (SBrick App or 3rd party) support for it.

[Lipko]

I think your best chance is asking directly at social.sbrick.com 'technical questions', Tamás usually answers at same day.

I think that present version of SBrick firmware doesn't offer this functionality. We are expecting (at least I am) a new version that offers internal temperature and voltage readings and some other functions. I think it's not possible to read current to detect stalled motor condition but it might be possible to infer from temperature, not sure if quick enough to prevent damage.

And then you need client (SBrick App or 3rd party) support for it.

Yup, maybe I will just connect them. The client thing is not a problem since this is a theoretical question (I want to participate in the SBrick contest).

[Blakbird]

I was one of the original Kickstarter backers and received my two Sbricks some weeks ago, but only yesterday finally tried to use them. It was then that I realized I am apparently too stupid to use Sbrick. I was able to connect to them, update the firmware, and get the port tester to drive motors, but beyond that I have no idea what I am supposed to do with the tool. When I try to create a new model lots of things don't work:

• I can't change the default picture. If I select "camera" or "photo" nothing happens.
  
• The only profiles available are the default few (joystick, gamepad). If I select gamepad and then run the program, nothing shows up on the screen. I get an empty background of LEGO bricks with no controller on it. I can actually control the Sbrick by touching the screen in random locations, but there is nothing on the screen.
  
• I can't find any way to create or edit profiles. Where did those cool profiles that Conchas or Sariel used come from? There doesn't seem to be any way to create them.
  
• When I go to the marketplace, there are only 5 or so possible things to download (Fernando's 8043 and 8275 are two of them). I have signed up for the forum and entered my login into the software. The online USer Guide says I should see three options - ALL, STARRED, and MY PROFILES, but there aren't any options.
  
• How do I delete things? I have a whole list of models I created trying to get things to work, but I don't actually want to keep any of them, they were just tests. I can't see any way to get rid of them.
  
• How do I get different "functions"? Acceleration and steering are the only options.
  
• How I know what version of the software I have or how do I update to a newer version?
  
• I know the Android version is Beta but I'm using the iOS version.
  

At the moment I'm pretty discouraged because I basically can't do anything at all with my SBricks.

[Jelmer]

Wat IOS device are you using?

[Blakbird]

Wat IOS device are you using?

iPad (my only iOS device).