Robot Not Responding to Remote

#1

I just got the Starter Robot Kit for my birthday. I assembled it and programmed it with scratch. Then a couple of days later I was able to find a battery for the IR remote, but when I pressed the up arrow on the remote, a blue light on the IR receiver shown but the robot did not move. When I programmed it the first time it did move, but after trying the remote and finding out that it didn’t work, I tried programming it again. This time the robot did not move. But I used the same code.

Please help.

Shriya

#2

Tried uploading the latest firmware (using mblock) ?
Should bring your kit back in default mode so you can use your phone to connect to it.
Or use the IR remote (Which I would not recommend to use)
For example if you have two mBots (or any other), the all react to one controler.
The controler is nog unique for each board.

#3

I don’t understand.

#4

When you connect the Orion/ME board to your computer.
Have you uploaded any code to it ?

#5

No, I have not uploaded any code so far my computer to MeOrion yet. My starter kit does not use Bluetooth. It only uses IR remote.

#6

I think I had the same problem, Shriya when I tried to use the Mbot I bought for my son. For the Mbot at least, the key is to do the following, and maybe it is the same with the Starter Robot. After you’ve connected through the USB, make sure you’ve done three things:

  1. install the drivers (“Connect/Install Arduino Driver”)
  2. upload the firmware to the Mbot (“Connect/Upgrade Firmware”)
  3. make sure the default program is installed, which is a standard way of making use of the IR remote as described in the Mbot manual (“Connect/Reset Default Program”)

If all these seem to be completed without problem, then your IR remote should function.
I hope this is helpful, even though it is based on my Mbot experience.
SK

#7

The Tank kit (Robot Starter) uses the Orion board. The mBot things posted here will not be the same.

There is a program written to restore the IR Tank function with the remote, but it gets a bit complicated.

You need the Makeblock library files, there is a program in the examples.

To install the libraries, read the instructions under MAKEBLOCK found here:

Makeblock Libraries

This is the download link there->download

The process looks like this:

LibraryExtraction.jpg1920x1200 343 KB

Now comes the tricky part, you need to use Arduino IDE to upload it.

Go to Documents folder where you extracted the libraries, and navigate to this folder path:
…Documents\Arduino\libraries\makeblock\examples\Makeblock_Robot_Starter_Kit\IR_Control

Double click IR_Control.ino and it will open in Arduino IDE.

On the TOOLS menu, select BOARD and in the list, choose 'Arduino/Genuino Uno’
Also on TOOLS, select port-> and be sure COM port is selected (checked).

Then click the Upload button:

IR_IDE.jpg500x600 83.3 KB

IR DETECTOR IS SET FOR PORT 6!

#8

@Gort,
Thanks for this detailed info. I’ve noticed that the Makeblock Library (v2.1.0916) linked in your post says it’s no longer being updated, and links to a new Makeblock Library v.3.22 that says “…we’ve made a lot of modifications in the code structure. Their is now a very big difference from v2.0. We strongly recommend that all Makeblock customers use the new version.” (Warning, the link given on the v.2.1.0916 page is wrong, it’s got an unnecessary comma).

In the updated Makeblock Library, I’m not sure but it looks like this is the file that replaces the IR_Control.ino you mention above: makeblock\example\Firmware_for_Starter\IR_Ultrasonic\IR_Ultrasonic.ino.

SK

#9

Yep, I followed the link with the comma to a 404 page and stopped, good work. The newer libraries are there, you just have to find the “DOWNLOAD ZIP” button. DOWNLOAD V3.22

The new layout is confusing and they have moved stuff to some odd folder designations.

The old stuff IR_Control.ino works for the IR control, but I will need to test this new one.(IR_Ultrasonic.ino)

It includes utlrasonic function not seen in the old one. It was not part of the other file, which I kind of like, keeping the Ultrasonic out of the equation at first.

The new program is IR-Ultrasonic.ino , and it is weirdly placed under a ‘Firmware’ folder:
Documents\Arduino\libraries\Makeblock-Libraries-master\makeblock\example\Firmware_for_Starter - ‘IR-Ultrasonid.ino’

#10

I’m having the same problem, I have followed several different ideas and keep going round in circles, fingers crossed I can follow your progress with success

#11

@Gort Thanks for the above details relating to the remote control, I followed what you said and it worked, I have a further problem, the Robot tank will not move in any direction but the motor sounds like it’s running.
Do you have any ideas on what I can do?
Also when I bought it, there wasn’t any instructions as to what the letter keys on the handset do, could you advise on that please
Thanks
Phil57

#12

Make sure your batteries are fresh and hold the unit so the wheels can free run to test. The Tank motors have a lot of torque on them, and do not turn well unless the voltage is over 50%. Use buttons 5-9 for speed setting.

In the IR-Control and IR_Ultrasonic programs, speed is set with the number buttons, and based on the math they use and my experience, button 4 and lower would not set the motors high enough to move on the floor. (4x23+45=137 on a scale of 1-255)

There is a set screw in outer edge of the silver hub for the drive wheel. It should be aligned with the flat spot on the motor shaft and tightened. Check to see if the little inner shaft turns when the motor is running.

If it is tight, and you can near the motor but the motor shaft does not turn, it could be a broken gearbox in the motor. There was a defective motor thread and return process which may still be active here.
In this program, the letter keys are not mapped or used.

One of the neat things about this toy is using the mBlock/Scratch software to make it do what the child would like.
Even if you just sit down and make it go forward when the A key is pressed, because the child helped and decided, it makes it more powerful and personal. You can always restore the default program now.

To explore other functions for the IR Remote, you will find the mBlock-Scratch program works well to recreate this function and program your own functions.

The Orion blocks in mBlock have functions for the IR receiver, but the value transmitted is in hex/binary, so for the ‘A’ key for instance, the receiver gets the value ‘69’

This thread discusses custom implementation:

IR remote thread

#13

Thanks very much, I will try that tomorrow and let you know what happens

#14

I have followed your points and am very happy to say that it has worked, :grinning:
You have made my grandson and myself very happy.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help

#15

I am glad he can enjoy his cool toy with his cool Grandad who got it for him!

#16

Thank you Gort! Your instructions worked and now my IR Controller works. It would have been easier if these instructions had been in the manual that came with the robot kit.

#17

I now also now how to upload Arduino code to the robot.

#18