Mbot ranger, mblock and macos X

#1

Hello,

Unfortunately, I could not make mBlock work with the mbot ranger.

  • The mbot ranger is new. The MakeBlock iPad app says the firmware is up to date. The bot works very well under Makeblock.
  • MacOS X is version 10.9.5 (Maverick). I installed the arduino driver.
  • mBlock is v3.4.5

What works:

  • I can pair the device under bluetooth.
  • I can connect with the bot using the last serial port entry (At least it says “connected”, both in the window and in the bluetooth panel).

What does not work:

  • I cannot upgrade the firmware (timeout)
  • I cannot upload programs. (timeout, see attached logs.)

I have seen similar posts to mine. But none explaining what is wrong and how I can solve this.

Is there someone able to help me?

Best regards,

Francois

     Using Port                    : /dev/tty.Makeblock-ELETSPP
     Using Programmer              : wiring
     Overriding Baud Rate          : 115200

avrdude: wiring_open(): releasing DTR/RTS
avrdude: wiring_open(): asserting DTR/RTS
avrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14]
avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14]
avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14]
avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14]
avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14]
avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14]
avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_getsync(): timeout communicating with programmer

avrdude done. Thank you.

#2

Hi,

You cannot update firmware through Bluetooth - you need the USB cable. This is because flashing firmware needs some extra control which is only available through the USB cable.

#3

Hi,

Thank you. I was able to upgrade the Firmware using the USB cable.

I was then able to upload a simple program using the USB cable. But I was unable to upload programs using bluetooth. Always the same timeout error although it says “connected”. I wonder if this feature is simply available yet for mbot ranger.

Any hints?

Best regards,

Francois

#4

You cannot upload programs via Bluetooth or WiFi. These methods do not have access to the onboard avrdude programmer. You must use the USB cable to upload programs to the mBot. The Bluetooth and WiFi connections allow you to send codes over the air that the mBot Ranger firmata will interpret and act upon. However, these methods use the Bluetooth or WiFi connection just like a modem (in fact, that’s essentially what they are) to provide a serial connection.

Hope this helps to clarify. :slight_smile:

#5