Technical - RoboLab Lessons and Information     ( Updated 23-Oct-06 )

The Lessons listed here are pretty much complete now. Just a quick note ... the files are in Power Point format and are large (over 1 meg). The presentations contain information not readily available from other websites. Now, with that being said, there are very good resource materials available from the INSciTE website:

If you have any questions about the technical material presented here or are just having problem with your code ... go ahead and email me and I'll see what I can do.

---- Wayne Schaefer -----

High Tech Kids

Lesson One - L1 (Basic)	Lesson - L1 (basic) loads and configures a sample program for testing. This technique is useful for starting off in Inventor Level 4 by creating a program from one of the samples provided.
Lesson One - L1 (Advanced)	Similar to Lesson L1 (Basic), this Lesson loads and configures a sample program for testing. An added feature is the creation of a separate project for storing the program. This technique is useful for creating a separate project for each programmer when there is more than one user.
Lesson Two - L2 (Basic)	Following Lesson L1 (Basic or Advanced), which loads and configures a sample program for testing, this lesson shows how to access and create Controls automatically to set variables within the program.
Lesson Two - L2 (Advanced)	Following Lesson L1 (Basic or Advanced) which loads and configure a sample program for testing, this lesson shows how to access Inventor Level 5 and use the Controls to set variables within the program. The Control created is the same type as in L2 (Basic) but allows the programmer to use other controls not automatically generated by the previous technique.

RoboLab 2.9 adds extra features including 25 motor speed steps.

Lesson Three - L3 (Features)

Lesson - L3 (Features) shows that there are some features in RoboLab 2.9 that you should be aware of. Two, in particular, have a direct effect on motor output speed.

One of the cool features of the NXT is the ability to move in a straight line using the software provided. This command only takes one block and includes: Speed, Distance and Degree of Turn. To provide similar functionality with the RCX takes a bit of work and is beyond the capability of many teams. Here is some sample code to help make the RCX move in a Straight Line and make Controlled Turns.

It should also be pointed out that Robolab 2.9 can be used to program the NXT but then the NXT will have the same limitations as the RCX ... so here is some code for use with the NXT as well.

Move RCX Straight Document Move RXT Straight VI Code for Robolab 2.9	This code allows the RCX the ability to move in a straight line using two rotation sensors. The word document contains pictures of both the RoboLab Front Panel, Block Diagram as well as the test robot. The code works pretty good, even if the motors are not matched and is fairly well annotated.
Move NXT Straight VI Code for Robolab 2.9 Turn the NXT VI Code for Robolab 2.9	This code similar to the RCX code above and allows the NXT to move in a straight line or turn using two rotation sensors (built into the motors). I haven't had a chance to test the code yet but the person Evan Weinberg who sent me the code in says it works nicely.
Basic Line Tracker VI Code Line Tracker - Drive Straight VI Code Advanced Line Tracker VI Code	These Robolab 2.5.4 programs are part of the training I've been doing at the Robolab Conferences. The code here is used to demonstrate an evolution of program developement from a basic line follower to something more complex. The first code just turns the robot left and right at the black / white interface. The second code demonstrates allowing the robot to drive straight if it is right on the line. The last piece first tries to turn the robot gently by allowing the motor on the inside of the turn to coast; however, it will then apply the brakes to sharpen the turn after a period of time.