Ranger Kit and Mac OS X Lion

#1

My daughter just purchased a Ranger kit, and we are having issues so far with the connection.

We know we are supposed to update the firmware, so we tried to connect via my Macbook (OS X 10.7.5). I installed the latest version of mBlock (v3.4.6) We connected the USB to the computer, I installed the Arduino driver via the “connect” menu.

When I am in the “connect” drop-down and choose serial port, I am given three options:

  1. /dev/tty.Bluetooth-Modem

  2. /dev/tty.Bluetooth-PDA-Sync

  3. /dev/tty.Makeblock-ELETSPP

I have tried to update the firmware via each option, with no joy. Via option three, I get the message

vrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14]
avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout

We have followed the tutorials online and on youtube, no success. We have tried to upload commands via mblock. No luck.

We figured we might get some usability atleast via bluetooth and smart devices. We have now tried multiple iPad Mini’s, none will recognize the robot. We have tried multiple Android devices, with only one occasionally recognizing the robot.

What are we doing wrong? We need help.

#2

Hi Phrog107,

Normally, the above three ports are not the correct serial port for Ranger when it was connected to PC with USB cable. It looks like the ports are all for the Bluetooth connection, you may temporarily disable the Bluetooth function on the Macbook.

For Mac PC, please download the driver from this link.
After you installed the driver, when connect Ranger to Mac with USB cable, please choose the port similar to /dev/tty.wchusbserial1410.

If you see the correct serial port, please connect to it and reset default program for the ranger refer to this document.How to Reset default program for Ranger.zip (411.1 KB)

As for connecting the Ranger’s Bluetooth to mobile devices, please check if there is a blue led on the Bluetooth module keep slow flashing, if there is, means that the Bluetooth module is ok and waiting to be connected to some device, now you can open the Makeblock APP on the mobile device and try to connect to the Ranger automatically.

#3

Tried that driver, same one I downloaded as before. Looking at the readme it says that it’s for OSX 10.9 and later, I am running 10.7.5.

Installed the driver, nothing changed, still don’t have a serial connection that I can connect with the robot.

Is there a different driver that I can install?

#4

You may want to driver the dev mode hack mentioned at this link or you could buy a driver here.

#5

Success!

Still can’t get it to connect to my daughter’s android phone, but at least the iPad, my android, and the computer work.

Thanks.

#6