What's wrong with my bot?

#1

I have constructed the MakeBlock Starter robot (tank-three wheel ) kit. But when I turn it on nothing happens except for the LED’s on the board illuminate and there is a faint beep form the board, but nothing else. It does not move or respond to the App in any form or manor. I have attempted using the examples and they have not worked either, the Ping for measurement does not function either. I have rechecked everything, repeatedly and still Dead Bot! Please assist me in diagnosing these issues. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

#2

So let’s start with “which examples did you try?” There’s a few that will test the basic functions of the motors so start with that. He LEDs in the back of the board near the motor connectors should light up. That tells us at least the programming works as expected. If the lights come on but no motor movement, then the motors are either dead or wired wrong. If you have a multimeter you can use that to determine if the wiring is correct or not. Don’t worry about the direction of the motors at this point, that’s easily fixed.

This is the example you want to try:
https://github.com/Makeblock-official/Makeblock-Library/tree/master/makeblock/examples/Me_MotorDriver/TestDCMotorDriver

If you can, post some videos of what your seeing as that will help.

#3

Thank you for the rapid response! I am not new to electronics but I am very new to Arduino. I have tested the motors with an external power supply. They both function very well. I have taken photos and one video but am not sure how to get them to you. I will attempt this now, wish me luck! I also took a short video but was unable to upload for some reason. It basically showed the LEDs light up on the Bluetooth board, and the leds next to the USB jack, and on the sensor. Thank you in advance for all of your assistance!

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#4

As for examples I first tried only the examples in the app. I tried the measurement and the motors. Neither worked. I went to the connect button and after a few seconds it turned to disconnect. I then went back to the example and tried to get it to respond, but it would not. I checked my phone for pairing (IPhone 6) and it was unable to locate any Bluetooth device. The LEDs you talk about near the motor connectors do not light up at all. They don’t even give any indication during boot up or resets. The rest of what I attempted using Arduino and Mblock libraries has not worked any better. When I have tried to upload I get an Error message that it can’t compile . I have no clue how to check the board as my computer does not even recognize that it is connected other than when I disconnect the board beeps. I apologize for being a complete Dummy with the programing aspects of this device. The last programming I did was with BASIC back when it was included with Windows and earlier computers. As you can probably tell I am older than most of your customers (64) so my learning curve is a little longer.

#5

I have done further testing and it would appear to be a firmware and or programming error that is the main cause of this problem. I have even gone to the extent of purchasing a second unit to see if it would work. The exact same conditions occur. Now we come to the issue of the programming, I tried to install the test programs you included in the first response. I get a compiling error and it will not install. I am running Windows 10, I have installed the Arduino library, I have attempted to include the Mblock library but have not succeeded (claims nothing there to include empty directory) and I do not have a clue as to what to do with the Panda. I will be continuing to attempt to remedy these issues but would appreciate any assistance you can give this troubled soul! Thanks again!

#6

Did you install the libraries for Makeblock, without the libraries installed you will get errors you can get the libraries and instructions to install the libraries here http://learn.makeblock.cc/learning-arduino/

#7

Yes I have found and installed the libraries, I compiled and uploaded the “Sensors” “Ping” to the board. In this case the errors went away and it was able to be loaded onto the board. Nothing would register on the app. I the tried to load the ultrasonic car and it failed “…7” appeared in the lower window. I have been doing and trying everything that I can. I even bought a second one to see if it was just a bad component. But it does the same thing. Were these boards shipped with any instructions in them at all? Should I not have been able to turn it on and have it do a basic thing? The You Tube video I watched showed the kit being put together, turned on and it would just move around the room avoiding objects. I have not even gotten a twitch out of the motors or any response out of the sonar sensor on either board. There has to be something pretty simple to get this thing going! Thanks, waiting for your guidance .

#8

All Arduino’s come with a basic sketch pre installed that blinks a led light on the board, the led light has a L printed next to it on the board. With the ultrasonic test sketch needs to be open with the serial monitor on the Arduino program for it to work.you can find the serial monitor under the test menu or the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner of the program, it prints the distance on the serial monitor . in order for you to get your bluetooth working with other skeches you need to add bluetooth code to the sketch’s it does not work out of box. There are many arduino tutorials on youtube.com and there many good books on how to program the Arduino, So you need to take the time to learn how to program the Arduino. The sketch’s that come with the Makeblock library are demo sketches and just a starting point to test the modules to make sure they work, Makeblock starter kit and Mbot are educational platforms to help you to learn how to program so they don’t tell you how to do it step by step. Many times if I have problems loading a sketch it is due to libraries that need to be installed before makeblock labrary is installed when this happens i use a web based Arduino software it has most libraries pre installed. You can find it at this location https://codebender.cc but you will need to install the Makeblock library manually first.

#9

So in order to determine if I have working components I will have to first learn to program all of its functions. The MBOT libraries that are installed in the Arduino package are only “examples” and therefore may or may not utilize the functions that the kit has. I can state here and now that I am a little disheartened by this information. I don’t mind learning something new, but I would very much like to know that the unit has a fall back function so as I screw something up I have something to revert back to. Sorry about the run on sentence. I have the correct library installed, yet I still can’t make the thing move. I will try the hoops you instructed me on for the sensor. That in itself may be enough for me to go further. I would like to add that of the numerous videos I have watched they leave out some or most of this critical information. In attempting to upload the ultra sonic car from the mbot library I get an error at the very end stating the board is out of sync, then there is a …7. What might this condition be? Some last questions relative to the Arduino libraries, If I am to learn this programing and it is Arduino why do I have to have the Mbot library? There must be something different between them as the Arduino libraries won’t compile without an error. Can I or can I not use regular Arduino examples with this board? Will they have to be modified to function? I am very sorry that I am so challenged at this point, as in no way was I prepared to have to learn another language right away to make this thing work.

Well I have found a third Arduino Scratch, with a Panda. With it I was able to get some life to exhibit itself and a gleam of hope sprung out ! Without a 7 segment display I still was unable to get it to display the readings to the computer screen but the motion program allowed it to move a few feet, get close to a wall and stop. I can and will figure out why it does not continue but at least I know it functions. The less than intuitive instructions led one to believe that you could build this bot, load the app on an IOS device and away you would go. Now either this Radio Shack version is different than the others or someone left a whole bunch of narrative out of the manual! Rought start but I am going now , thank you for your assistance.

#10

There are many different Arduino Libraries that you need to install to use different components like many of the add ons require their own library to use them. A library is just a sketch that has added functionality to make easier to use a device else you would have to add a bunch of code to make every expansion device to work, a library is really just a short cut to make it easier. The 7 refers to the line on the sketch where the program halted, the error might not be on that line but a few lines before or after that, I is just a starting point to figure out where the problem is. I have been programming Arduino for about 6 months and totally self taught and never learned how to program before this,If I can do it anybody can. it just takes a little time. The MBOT is a learning platform to learn how to program, there is just too much information to learn to put on a website. As for the board being out of synk it might be that you have the wrong board selected under the Tools menu, also make sure that it is connected to the right port. And yes you can use the regular Arduino examples, you just need to use the Arduino pin out. The the Ardino Pins that each port uses are on the back of the board.The Arduino example Sketches have the pins that are used in the sketch. and you also need to look on the back of the modules to see what pins are used, each module are different. Each module has holes so you can solder header pins so they can be used on a regular Arduino. Since the MBOT only has 4 ports it probably does not use all of the Arduino Pins so you might have to change the example sketch’ pin that to one of the pins that the MBOT supports, Most Bluetooth uses pin 0/RX and Pin 1/TX. I just purchased A Makeblock starter Kit about a week ago and I love it. I just had to get use to using ports instead of pins. I got tired of having of my Dupont wires coming unconnected all the time on my robots, but I bought extra RJ/25 cables and modified one so i can use any Arduino components I just wish that the MakeBlock board was Arduino shield compatible.

#12

Thank you for your assistance! I am easily confused and I really felt this kit would have been more “Turn Key” than it was. Also there sincere lack of instructions or information makes it much more difficult than it would need to be! I have two now so I will be able to experiment. I need to figure out how to get more power to the motors as they seem to stall out to easily. Got to go and thanks again for the help! Much appreciated!

#13

On the IR Car sketch you can change the speed with the number keys1 is slowest and 9 is fastest.

#14

Hallo :smile:

The thread reads to me as if you mix up two different means of operating the robot:

  1. Through your own programming of the arduino
    This would work by writing a sketch (short program/script) on the Arduino programming software, or using Scratch/MBlock. The sketch would then be uploaded to the robot through USB and the robot would carry out autonomously what you programmed it to do, even after you disconnect the cable. That is where the real fun starts!

  2. Through the Smartphone App
    Using the smartphone App works in a different world! You would have to upload a firmware to the robot first (usually through the bluetooth connection) which wipes everything you have put on before, and then you could control the robot manually, pretty much like an advanced RC car. Fun for a while, especially for kids, but boring on the long run.

Unfortunately these two approaches have nothing to do with each other. You can not upload a self-written sketch and control it actively through the smartphone App, as uploading the firmware for the app would wipe everything you have put on before. The same applies vice-versa: When uploading a sketch of your own, the smartphone firmware is wiped.

When uploading sketches from Arduino software programmer, make sure your Bluetooth module is disconnected, as it interferes with the upload, causing the programmer to throw error messages and eventually malfunction!

Last not least, regarding Motor power: There has been a lot of trouble with faulty and too weak motors here, which I can not judge because mine run fine. The common experience is that the use of 6 * 1.5 V “AA” batteries just so works for a short time, while 6 * 1.2 V NiCd rechargable accus will not work. The motors seem to really require their 9 V of power, and 6 rechargables deliver only 7.2 V. There is two solutions to this: Either you look for a 8 * AA Battery compartment and mount it to the kit, or you look for a rechargable RC Akku. These work great, as they are desingned for the job, but you have to take care of the peak voltage they deliver, or you fry the electronics and loose your warranty simultanuously.

I hope this helps a bit. To the experts here: If I am wrong, please kindly correct me.

Stefan

#15

Awesome! It is all coming in more clearly now that I have talked with people in the know. Thank you much for the input (no pun intended). I have had though I could use a 3 cell LiPo from an rc plane that I have. But that sounds like it might be to much. I was hoping the motors could be powered separately from the board. The eight pack would be easiest so that is where I will start. Thank all again for input, I am all ears for any tip or tricks!

#16

the bluetooth from the App can not wipe out the sketck on a Arduino. The Arduino can not understand the programming language from the IOS or Android and the MBOT board and the orion are basally are Arduinos I have used many bluetooth moduals and it wont work with out a Arduino sketch the word firmware is just another word for a sketch for the Makeblock. Any file that ends with a .ino extension is a sketch if you have windows setup to show extensions.it is the sketch or firmware that tells the Arduino’ how to recieve the bluetooth signal from a Ipad or android device.and translates it back to the Arduino And yes you can use a self written sketch to connect to a smart phone i have done it.

#17

Super, that is a good thing to hear. My learning curve is getting shorter all the time! lol thanks for the info!

#18

There are also alternative bluetooth apps you can use i like the Android APP, Arduino BT Joystick.also I can use any Arduino device on a makeblock Orion, you just need to modify the RJ/25 cable and i can also use any Makeblock module on a Arduino, the modules have holes in them where you can solder pin headers to connect to a Arduino.

#19

Hi wildwingman,
Thx for the input - you are right in that also the ‘firmware’ is just a sketch. My point, however, is that arduino can only hold one sketch at a time. Of course it is possible to write your own sketch for BT comms, but probably a bit much for starter. Anyway, I think the problems with BT and arduino programming software require to be solved first, which ultimately is a TODO for the makeblock team.

@ mrclassicman: heads up and three thumbs to your approach! This is maker spirit, try things and communicate when you are stuck, or have a success. regarding power supply: there are some threads here, where people describe how they attached stronger RC accus to the bot. Just look them up. It is possible and much more fun.

Stefan

#20

You are right it is much too complicated for a starter to do,But the Makeblock is designed to teach programming and it is never to late to learn but you need to start with something much simpler. as for the power issue the Makeblock has a built in charger for a lipo battery but I don’t recommend it, if the lipo battery is all the way discharged you ruin the battery there are alarms that warn you if the battery gets too low so i suggest using one of theese with a smart charger.

#21

LiPO’s should only be charged with compatible chargers and when disconnected, never through the Makeblock or Arduino hardware.

Stefan