Bridge between pc/mac mBlock and iphone's Makeblock app?

#1

Hi everyone,

Is it possible to program and upload from the desktop’s mBlock application (USB) and then use the iphone’s Makeblock app as a bluetooth remote?

Even better, is it possible to transfer a program directly (sort of “sync”) from one to the other? (mostly from desktop to iphone)

I’ve searched and read, searched again and read more, but no clue so far. The mBot only responds to the phone’s makeblock app if the factory default is on the board.
As soon as i “upload to arduino” anything (from mBlock, with USB) … only the IR remote works.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Stefan

#2

Hi xenjee,

If you want to control or program the mBot with mobile App like Makeblock App, you can just upgrade firmware for mBot. Then you can use App to control mBot. You can not only control the mBot with three default modes, but also program on the App directly. Please see this link.

While there is no such function that edit program on mBlock and transfer it to the mobile App. In this case, you may need rewrite the firmware for mBot by yourself.

#3

Thank you @tec_support.

Trying to clarify a bit … here is what i’m seeing:

1) If mBot is reset to default:

  • I can use the IR remote to control the robot, (A,B and C modes options available)
  • I can use the Makeblock mobile app to control the robot.
  • I can customize the program in the Makeblock mobile app when in “design” mode.
  • I can use additional sensors and program actions from their received values (from Mobile app) and keep customizing actions from there.
  • In Mobile app: Firmare infos say: Current version: 06.1.7 - New Version: 06.1.106 - Please download mBlock on PC to update (a bit odd since i know i have the latest mBlock version available)

2) If i use the desktop application (mBlock) to program the robot “and upload to Arduino” (USB):

  • I can use the IR remote to control the robot, (A,B and C modes options NOT available, which makes sense) > the program works (if sensor = this, then do that)
  • I CANNOT use the Makeblock mobile app to control the robot, the app complains about firmware compatibility: Unrecognizable Firmaware - You can try to connect other devices or update firmware.

3) From there, if i “Update Firmware” from mBlock:

  • IR remote does NOT work
  • The previous uploaded program does NOT work anymore
  • I can use the Makeblock mobile app to control the robot.
  • I can customize the program in the Makeblock mobile app when in “design” mode.
  • I can use additional sensors and program actions from their received values (from Mobile app) and keep customizing actions from there.

So my questions are:

    • Can i program from the desktop application (mBlock) and then use the iphone to remote control the robot? (and see displayed the received values from the various sensors?)
    • If not: can i program a PS4 joystick directly from mBLock (scratch2) or do i need to go with straight arduino programing for that?

Thank you.
Stefan

#4

Hi xenjee,

All what you see are normal for the mBot.
As for your questions, see anwsers below:

  1. No, you can’t. your own program uploaded to mBot won’t work with mobile App.
  2. The mBlock program doesn’t support wireless joystick, I think you may need program with Arduino by yourself.
#5

Thank you @tec_support.
Quick and usefull answer :slight_smile:

#6

Additional info: it is possible to connect a mBot through USB with a PC and in parallel establish bluetooth communication with a self-created app on a Android phone. That does not work in iOs AFAIK, because iOs does not allow apps to access the bluetooth device.

On the mBlock side, enable the “Communication” extension. Then you can use the commands there to write to / read from bluetooth.

On the Android side, you can test it with a bluetooth terminal app. I did not get around to write my own app yet, but with App Inventor it is not a big deal.

#7

Thank you for the additional info @Andreas

#8