FTC Programming with App Inventor - Allendale Roboticsftckickoff.allendalerobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FTC... · FTC Programming with App Inventor David Austin Allendale

FTC Programming with App Inventor

David Austin

Allendale Robotics

HexaSonics, FTC Team 7023

[email protected]

David Austin FTC Programming with App Inventor

Point-to-point wireless communication

There is no longer a Field Control System.

Advantage: Running at an event is just like running in yourpractice space.


Point-to-point wireless communication

There is no longer a Field Control System.

Advantage: Running at an event is just like running in yourpractice space.


Driver Station

Set up one time:Download FTC Driver Station app from Google Play

“Forget” any wireless networksPhone in airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DS”Update app later in the seasonVery useful: the driver station app displays telemetry datawe can send back from the robot.


Driver Station

Set up one time:Download FTC Driver Station app from Google Play“Forget” any wireless networks

Phone in airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DS”Update app later in the seasonVery useful: the driver station app displays telemetry datawe can send back from the robot.


Driver Station

Set up one time:Download FTC Driver Station app from Google Play“Forget” any wireless networksPhone in airplane mode

Rename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DS”Update app later in the seasonVery useful: the driver station app displays telemetry datawe can send back from the robot.


Driver Station

Set up one time:Download FTC Driver Station app from Google Play“Forget” any wireless networksPhone in airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DS”

Update app later in the seasonVery useful: the driver station app displays telemetry datawe can send back from the robot.


Driver Station

Set up one time:Download FTC Driver Station app from Google Play“Forget” any wireless networksPhone in airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DS”Update app later in the season

Very useful: the driver station app displays telemetry datawe can send back from the robot.


Driver Station

Set up one time:Download FTC Driver Station app from Google Play“Forget” any wireless networksPhone in airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DS”Update app later in the seasonVery useful: the driver station app displays telemetry datawe can send back from the robot.


Driver Station

Before each match:Connect gamepads through a USB hub

Register gamepads with the Driver Station app“Start” + “A” for Driver 1“Start” + “B” for Driver 2


Driver Station

Before each match:Connect gamepads through a USB hubRegister gamepads with the Driver Station app

“Start” + “A” for Driver 1“Start” + “B” for Driver 2


Driver Station

Before each match:Connect gamepads through a USB hubRegister gamepads with the Driver Station app“Start” + “A” for Driver 1

“Start” + “B” for Driver 2


Driver Station

Before each match:Connect gamepads through a USB hubRegister gamepads with the Driver Station app“Start” + “A” for Driver 1“Start” + “B” for Driver 2


New hardware configuration


Robot Controller

The main task of the programming team is to write an FTCRobot Controller app.

Download a minimal version from Google Play

“Forget” wireless network, airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DC”Pair the Driver Station and Robot Controller:From the Driver Station: Settings −→ Pair with RobotControllerAccept the invitation on the controllerThe Driver Station and Robot Controller can nowcommunicate


Robot Controller


Download a minimal version from Google Play“Forget” wireless network, airplane mode

Rename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DC”Pair the Driver Station and Robot Controller:From the Driver Station: Settings −→ Pair with RobotControllerAccept the invitation on the controllerThe Driver Station and Robot Controller can nowcommunicate


Robot Controller


Download a minimal version from Google Play“Forget” wireless network, airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DC”

Pair the Driver Station and Robot Controller:From the Driver Station: Settings −→ Pair with RobotControllerAccept the invitation on the controllerThe Driver Station and Robot Controller can nowcommunicate


Robot Controller


Download a minimal version from Google Play“Forget” wireless network, airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DC”Pair the Driver Station and Robot Controller:From the Driver Station: Settings −→ Pair with RobotController

Accept the invitation on the controllerThe Driver Station and Robot Controller can nowcommunicate


Robot Controller


Download a minimal version from Google Play“Forget” wireless network, airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DC”Pair the Driver Station and Robot Controller:From the Driver Station: Settings −→ Pair with RobotControllerAccept the invitation on the controller

The Driver Station and Robot Controller can nowcommunicate


Robot Controller


Download a minimal version from Google Play“Forget” wireless network, airplane modeRename under WiFi Direct: e.g. “7023-DC”Pair the Driver Station and Robot Controller:From the Driver Station: Settings −→ Pair with RobotControllerAccept the invitation on the controllerThe Driver Station and Robot Controller can nowcommunicate


Robot Controller

More specifically, the main task of the programming team is towrite OpModes within the FTC Robot Controller app. But first,we need to configure the hardware within the controller app.With the phone connected to the robot, open the Controller app:

Settings −→ Configure Robot

Choose New and then Scan. This should detect the motorcontrollers and sensor module.Give each motor and sensor a name. You will need toremember these names so you may want to write themdown.Save the configuration and give it a nameSelect Activate to use this configuration in the controllerapp.


Robot Controller


Settings −→ Configure RobotChoose New and then Scan. This should detect the motorcontrollers and sensor module.

Give each motor and sensor a name. You will need toremember these names so you may want to write themdown.Save the configuration and give it a nameSelect Activate to use this configuration in the controllerapp.


Robot Controller


Settings −→ Configure RobotChoose New and then Scan. This should detect the motorcontrollers and sensor module.Give each motor and sensor a name. You will need toremember these names so you may want to write themdown.

Save the configuration and give it a nameSelect Activate to use this configuration in the controllerapp.


Robot Controller


Settings −→ Configure RobotChoose New and then Scan. This should detect the motorcontrollers and sensor module.Give each motor and sensor a name. You will need toremember these names so you may want to write themdown.Save the configuration and give it a name

Select Activate to use this configuration in the controllerapp.


Robot Controller


Settings −→ Configure RobotChoose New and then Scan. This should detect the motorcontrollers and sensor module.Give each motor and sensor a name. You will need toremember these names so you may want to write themdown.Save the configuration and give it a nameSelect Activate to use this configuration in the controllerapp.


OpModes

Except for registering the gamepads and connecting thephones, everything we’ve seen so far only needs to bedone once.

Most of your programming time will be spent creatingopmodes. You will probably want to create a couple. Forinstance, one for teleop and at least one for autonomous.OpModes are created using an event-driven model, similarto how an Arduino is programmed.


OpModes

Except for registering the gamepads and connecting thephones, everything we’ve seen so far only needs to bedone once.Most of your programming time will be spent creatingopmodes. You will probably want to create a couple. Forinstance, one for teleop and at least one for autonomous.

OpModes are created using an event-driven model, similarto how an Arduino is programmed.


OpModes

Except for registering the gamepads and connecting thephones, everything we’ve seen so far only needs to bedone once.Most of your programming time will be spent creatingopmodes. You will probably want to create a couple. Forinstance, one for teleop and at least one for autonomous.OpModes are created using an event-driven model, similarto how an Arduino is programmed.


The life cycle of an opmode

There are a small number of methods you need to construct todefine an opmode. (A method simply means a set ofinstructions grouped together.)

start(): This is executed once after you press the Startbutton on the Driver Station. Do some initialization in here;e.g. configure motors.

loop(): While the opmode is running, this method isexecuted roughly every 25 milliseconds. This is where youlisten for input from the gamepads and sensors and set themotors’ power levels. Most of your work will go in here.stop(): Instructions to perform when the Stop button ispressed; e.g. set the power of all the motors to zero.




start(): This is executed once after you press the Startbutton on the Driver Station. Do some initialization in here;e.g. configure motors.loop(): While the opmode is running, this method isexecuted roughly every 25 milliseconds. This is where youlisten for input from the gamepads and sensors and set themotors’ power levels. Most of your work will go in here.

stop(): Instructions to perform when the Stop button ispressed; e.g. set the power of all the motors to zero.




start(): This is executed once after you press the Startbutton on the Driver Station. Do some initialization in here;e.g. configure motors.loop(): While the opmode is running, this method isexecuted roughly every 25 milliseconds. This is where youlisten for input from the gamepads and sensors and set themotors’ power levels. Most of your work will go in here.stop(): Instructions to perform when the Stop button ispressed; e.g. set the power of all the motors to zero.



Soon, there will be a new button Init that can be used to, say,initialize servos or calibrate a gyro before Start is pressed. Youcan use these methods.

init(): Called once after Init is pressed.

init loop(): Called every 25 milliseconds after Init ispressed.



Soon, there will be a new button Init that can be used to, say,initialize servos or calibrate a gyro before Start is pressed. Youcan use these methods.

init(): Called once after Init is pressed.init loop(): Called every 25 milliseconds after Init ispressed.


App Inventor

Let’s get started with App Inventor! You will:

Create code graphically in a web browser

Compile and download it as an .apk file onto your computerTransfer the .apk file to the phone and install the app (youmust first delete any earlier versions)Start the app and then connect to the driver station


App Inventor


Create code graphically in a web browserCompile and download it as an .apk file onto your computer

Transfer the .apk file to the phone and install the app (youmust first delete any earlier versions)Start the app and then connect to the driver station


App Inventor


Create code graphically in a web browserCompile and download it as an .apk file onto your computerTransfer the .apk file to the phone and install the app (youmust first delete any earlier versions)

Start the app and then connect to the driver station


App Inventor


Create code graphically in a web browserCompile and download it as an .apk file onto your computerTransfer the .apk file to the phone and install the app (youmust first delete any earlier versions)Start the app and then connect to the driver station


App Inventor

You will need:

Google Chrome (Firefox works for me too)

VirtualBox. The instructions say it needs administrativeprivileges to install, but I was able to within them.Download the App Inventor appliance for VirtualBox.Start VirtualBox and import the appliance


App Inventor

You will need:

Google Chrome (Firefox works for me too)VirtualBox. The instructions say it needs administrativeprivileges to install, but I was able to within them.

Download the App Inventor appliance for VirtualBox.Start VirtualBox and import the appliance


App Inventor

You will need:

Google Chrome (Firefox works for me too)VirtualBox. The instructions say it needs administrativeprivileges to install, but I was able to within them.Download the App Inventor appliance for VirtualBox.

Start VirtualBox and import the appliance


App Inventor

You will need:

Google Chrome (Firefox works for me too)VirtualBox. The instructions say it needs administrativeprivileges to install, but I was able to within them.Download the App Inventor appliance for VirtualBox.Start VirtualBox and import the appliance


Using the legacy motor controllers

Returning teams may wish to re-use the motor controllersfrom last year. You may do this by connecting the motorcontrollers to the Legacy Module, which connects to thePower Module.

There are some complications since the controllers use theI2C communications protocol, which can only sendinformation in one direction at a time.The controllers need to be set in write mode to set thepower and read mode to read encoders. It takes a coupleof cycles for the switch to occur.Don’t worry about this if you are using the new motorcontrollers.



Returning teams may wish to re-use the motor controllersfrom last year. You may do this by connecting the motorcontrollers to the Legacy Module, which connects to thePower Module.There are some complications since the controllers use theI2C communications protocol, which can only sendinformation in one direction at a time.

The controllers need to be set in write mode to set thepower and read mode to read encoders. It takes a coupleof cycles for the switch to occur.Don’t worry about this if you are using the new motorcontrollers.



Returning teams may wish to re-use the motor controllersfrom last year. You may do this by connecting the motorcontrollers to the Legacy Module, which connects to thePower Module.There are some complications since the controllers use theI2C communications protocol, which can only sendinformation in one direction at a time.The controllers need to be set in write mode to set thepower and read mode to read encoders. It takes a coupleof cycles for the switch to occur.

Don’t worry about this if you are using the new motorcontrollers.



Returning teams may wish to re-use the motor controllersfrom last year. You may do this by connecting the motorcontrollers to the Legacy Module, which connects to thePower Module.There are some complications since the controllers use theI2C communications protocol, which can only sendinformation in one direction at a time.The controllers need to be set in write mode to set thepower and read mode to read encoders. It takes a coupleof cycles for the switch to occur.Don’t worry about this if you are using the new motorcontrollers.


Resources

http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/forumdisplay.php?156-FTC-Technology

http://ftc.edu.intelitek.com

David Austin, [email protected]


Resources





Resources





Documents

FTC Programming with App Inventor - Allendale Roboticsftckickoff.allendalerobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FTC... · FTC Programming with App Inventor David Austin Allendale