rmshao / python-for-mbot

A Python interface to control and communicate with mBot robot kit

Python Library for mBot

Table of contents

• Description
• Software Dependencies
• Installation
• Usage

Description

A Python interface to control and communicate with mBot robot kit from Makeblock

This has been tested with:

• the Raspberry PI.
• the Intel Edison.

It works on Linux, Windows 7 and OS X.

Software Dependencies

• Makeblock Library (https://github.com/Makeblock-official/Makeblock-Libraries)
• Python (http://python.org/download/)
• Cython (http://cython.org/#download)
• cython-hidapi (https://github.com/trezor/cython-hidapi)
• pyserial

Prepare for Makeblock's Bots

1. Download the source from the git https://github.com/Makeblock-official/Makeblock-Libraries

2. copy the makeblock folder to your arduino default library. Your Arduino library folder should now look like this (on Windows): [arduino installation directory]\libraries\makeblock\src (on MACOS): [arduino Package Contents]\contents\Java\libraries\makeblock\src

3. Open the Arduino Application. (If it's already open, you will need to restart it to see changes.)

4. Click "File-> Examples". Here are firmwares for Makeblock's bots in "MakeBlockDrive->Firmware_for_mBlock".

5. Upload the Firmware to your bot.

Installation

install python 2.7.x ( http://python.org/downloads )

for Windows users: 
  set path x:/Python27 x:/Python27/Scripts
  Install Microsoft Visual C++ Compiler for Python 2.7
  (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=44266)

for Macosx users:
  pip install --upgrade setuptools --user python

[sudo] pip install cython
[sudo] pip install pyserial
[sudo] pip install hidapi

Usage

 git clone https://github.com/xeecos/python-for-mbot

Enter the folder "python-for-mbot"

Edit lightsensor.py

from lib.mBot import *

def onLight(value):
    print "light = ",value

if __name__ == '__main__':
    bot = mBot()
    bot.startWithSerial("COM15") or bot.startWithHID()
    while(1):
      bot.requestLightOnBoard(1,onLight)
      sleep(0.5)

using usb serial or bluetooth serial:

change the serial port name "COMX or /dev/tty.XXX" for your mBot on system

bot.startWithSerial("COM15")

using wireless HID:

bot.startWithHID()

running:

[sudo] python lightsensor.py

###Learn more from Makeblock official website http://www.makeblock.com