Archive for the ‘free’ tag
FREE Summer of Learning ROBOTC Online Classes Start on Monday!
Starting Monday, June 17th, our free online classes will begin for the Robotics Summer of Learning. The ROBOTC team will show you the best ways to get started using ROBOTC and answer your questions LIVE! The goals for these classes is to support you, our users, and help you earn a ROBOTC certification!
The classes and Q&A sessions will take place throughout the summer on WebEx at the times listed below. The length of the class will be based on how many questions we need to answer.
VEX
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 11:00am EDT
LEGO
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 12:00pm EDT
How to Sign Up:
1. Register for Summer of Learning - Choose one of the following Robotics Summer of Learning Courses and sign up!
2. Choose a WebEx Course - Join your choice of WebEx courses 30 minutes before scheduled course begins:
VEX
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 11:00am EDT
LEGO
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 12:00pm EDT
If you would like to ask questions during the live class, make sure to have a USB headset. You can also submit your questions before and during each class through the ROBOTC forum or our social media sites.
Webinar – Using the RVW Curriculum Companion
We will be LIVE at 4pm EST today with our free Robot Virtual Worlds webinar! This is the second in a five part Google + Hangout series that will take place every Monday in the month of April. Today’s topic is how to use the Robot Virtual World’s Curriculum Companion.
If you can’t tune in at 4pm EST, we will update this post later in the day with the YouTube recording. If you are joining us live, make sure to send us your questions …
Video feed:
Check out future webinar dates below:
Agenda
Posterboard 
Stream 
Month June 2013
Starting Tuesday, June 18th, our free online ROBOTC for VEX classes will begin for the Robotics Summer of Learning. The ROBOTC team will show you the best ways to get started using ROBOTC and answer your questions LIVE! The goals for these classes is to support you, our users, and help you earn a ROBOTC certification!
The classes and Q&A sessions will take place throughout the summer on WebEx every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11am Eastern Time. The length of the class will be based on how many questions we need to answer. **Classes will be recorded and posted on the CS2N Robotics Summer of Learning course after each session.**
How to Sign Up:
1. Register for the Robotics Summer of Learning - Choose the VEX Robotics Summer of Learning Course and Sign-Up through CS2N.org!
2. Attend the WebEx Course - Join the ROBOTC for VEX WebEx course 30 minutes before the scheduled course begins:
VEX
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 11:00am EDT
If you would like to ask questions during the live class, make sure to have a USB headset. You can also submit your questions before and during each class through the ROBOTC forum or our social media sites.
Starting Monday June 17th, our free online ROBOTC for MINDSTORMS classes will begin for the Robotics Summer of Learning. The ROBOTC team will show you the best ways to get started using ROBOTC and answer your questions LIVE! The goals for these classes is to support you, our users, and help you earn a ROBOTC certification!
The classes and Q&A sessions will take place throughout the summer on WebEx every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12pm Eastern Time. The length of the class will be based on how many questions we need to answer. **Classes will be recorded and posted on the CS2N Robotics Summer of Learning course after each session.**
How to Sign Up:
1. Register for the Robotics Summer of Learning - Choose the LEGO Robotics Summer of Learning Course and Sign-Up through CS2N.org!
2. Attend the WebEx Course - Join the ROBOTC for MINDSTORMS WebEx course 30 minutes before the scheduled course begins:
LEGO
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 12:00pm EDT
If you would like to ask questions during the live class, make sure to have a USB headset. You can also submit your questions before and during each class through the ROBOTC forum or our social media sites.
Starting Monday June 17th, our free online ROBOTC for MINDSTORMS classes will begin for the Robotics Summer of Learning. The ROBOTC team will show you the best ways to get started using ROBOTC and answer your questions LIVE! The goals for these classes is to support you, our users, and help you earn a ROBOTC certification!
The classes and Q&A sessions will take place throughout the summer on WebEx every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12pm Eastern Time. The length of the class will be based on how many questions we need to answer. **Classes will be recorded and posted on the CS2N Robotics Summer of Learning course after each session.**
How to Sign Up:
1. Register for the Robotics Summer of Learning - Choose the LEGO Robotics Summer of Learning Course and Sign-Up through CS2N.org!
2. Attend the WebEx Course - Join the ROBOTC for MINDSTORMS WebEx course 30 minutes before the scheduled course begins:
LEGO
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 12:00pm EDT
If you would like to ask questions during the live class, make sure to have a USB headset. You can also submit your questions before and during each class through the ROBOTC forum or our social media sites.
FREE Robot Virtual Worlds Webinars on Google Hangouts
We understand the challenges robotics classrooms face every day in terms of cost, number of robots, batteries, and homework. That is why we created Robot Virtual Worlds (RVW). With RVW, every student can experience the same benefits of learning robots, right on their computer. RVW currently simulates popular real-world VEX, LEGO, and TETRIX robots in a 3D environment; while using the same language, ROBOTC, to program both your virtual robot and your physical robot.
To help you get started and get a better understanding of what RVW can do, we are offering five FREE webinars on Google Hangout every Monday in April at 4pm EST with project manager, Jesse Flot, and some members of his team! We will show you a brief tutorial on the specific topic of the day then take a few questions from the Google Hangout chat or on twitter using hashtag #RVWHangout.
At each webinar, we will be giving out a discount code for Robomatter, the robotics education store, and a chance to win a one-year license for ROBOTC 3.6!!! To tune in live, follow Robomatter on Google+ or visit ROBOTC.net/hangouts the day of the event (you will need a google+ account or twitter account to submit questions.)
Listed below are the specific dates with topics that we will be covering …
Try ROBOTC Robot Virtual Worlds (Free until Dec 31)
In February 2011, the Robotics Academy released our first version of Robot Virtual Worlds (RVW). Back then, we were striving to make a new educational breakthrough that would allow kids using the motivational effects of video games and robotics combined to learn all about programming. Users are able to program virtual robots using the exact same programming language that they used to control their real robots – they could work with a robot at school and then go home to continue their education using our unique simulation engine!
Since that initial release, we have learned an incredible amount about robot simulations, game development, and our customer’s expectations and desires. Since our initial beta release in February and our retail release in September of 2011, we have made great improvements that provide a much richer overall experience. Some of these new features include:
- Improved Robot Physics and Gameplay
- New and Improved Sensor Simulation
- Completely new robot models with new features such as gripper arms and elevator lifts.
- More “game” like worlds with real-time scoring and open ended challenge
- CS2N.org integration for earning achievements and badges
- Education tools like user tracking (via CS2N) to keep tabs on student progress
Today we’re announcing an extended free trial opportunity for everyone to try our latest Robot Virtual Worlds software until the end of the year. This extended trial is available to everyone, including those users who have already used their initial 60-day trial included with the Robot Virtual Worlds software. This extended trial will allow you to try Robot Virtual Worlds until the end of 2012. Our hope is that you’ll give our updated worlds a test drive and see the incredible improvements we’ve already made and continue to make every day. To find out how to download your free extended license, take a look below.
Steps for NXT Users to use the FREE license:
- Install/Update to the latest version of ROBOTC (Currently 3.51) http://www.robotc.net/download/nxt/
- Download the special extended LEGO trial license. This file will allow the Virtual Worlds to work until December 31, 2012 and can be installed on an unlimited number of computers at school or at a student’s home. This license WILL work even if your ROBOTC trial is already expired http://www.robotc.net/files/RobotVirtualWorlds_LEGO_InstallLicense.exe
- Make sure ROBOTC is closed and run the installer for the extended trial license. This installer will automatically install and activate the extended trial.
- To learn how to access the RVW once they are installed go to: http://www.robotc.net/download/rvw/step2a-setting-up-rvw.php
Steps for VEX Users to use the FREE license:
- Install/Update to the latest version of ROBOTC (Currently 3.51) http://www.robotc.net/download/cortex/
- Download the special extended VEX trial license. This file will allow the Virtual Worlds to work until December 31, 2012 and can be installed on an unlimited number of computers at school or at a student’s home. This license WILL work even if your ROBOTC trial is already expired. http://www.robotc.net/files/RobotVirtualWorlds_VEX_InstallLicense.exe
- Make sure ROBOTC is closed and run the installer for the extended trial license. This installer will automatically install and activate the extended trial.
- To learn how to access the RVW once they are installed go to: http://www.robotc.net/download/rvw/step2a-setting-up-rvw.php
The Curriculum Companion is designed for computer science and robotics classes. This product includes over 30 tabletop type classroom activities that mirror the activities found in the ROBOTC for MINDSTORM and ROBOTC for VEX Curriculums. Students can pick from several robot types. Students earn badges as they complete the RVW challenges that can lead to them earning a Robotics Academy Robotics Programming Certification.
The LEVEL Builder allows students and teachers to design their own levels. This initial product gives the level designer a 12’ by 12’ pallet to design on and uses existing models found in the curriculum companion. By this spring, students will be able to import their own models using standard modeling software. Eventually, our goal is to enable students to build their own robots and import them into RVWs!
Palm Island is a fantasy world where students can practice basic behavior based programming. This world is simple but interesting. The first level involves moving straight, second level turning, third level combining straight and turning… The world is designed so that students can practice simple behaviors to complete the challenge. Students should complete lessons in the movement section of the curriculum before they attempt Palm Island.
RING IT UP simulates this year’s FTC game. Ring It Up provides a game-like environment where students program TETRIX robots to solve game. The game keeps track of time and as your students play the game their scores are tracked. Students can program the robot’s wheels, arm, elbow, and gripper. The game simulation also features an automatically configured IR beacon so that students can test their IR beacon code.
SACK ATTACK simulates this year’s VEX Robot Game. Sack Attack provides a game-like environment where students program VEX robots to solve game. The RVW simulation keeps track of time and score as the robot competes in the game. The new game allows programmer to program the robot’s wheels, arm, elbow, and gripper. The game simulation also allows remote control.
Ruins of Atlantis is an underwater world where students can practice basic behavior based programming. Students collect jewels and coins in this game as they work through an underwater maze. The game includes our first underwater robot! Students should understand basic ROBOTC programming before they attempt to solve the game.
Operation Reset! We will release the third edition of Operation Reset in October of 2012. This is the most game-like world we’ve ever released. Students are required to program or remotely control robots on Planet H99. The colony was just hit by an intergalactic storm and all of the satellite communication towers need reset. The robots are also tasked to collect unobtanium, refuel a rocket, and solve a variety of unanticipated events.
ROBOTC 3.50 Now Available!
The ROBOTC Development team is proud to announce that ROBOTC 3.50 for the LEGO Mindstorms, VEX Cortex and PIC, Arduino, and Robot Virtual World platforms is now available! The new ROBOTC 3.50 update is free-of-charge for ALL existing ROBOTC 3.0 license holders. Download today and try out all of the new features and enhancements available in ROBOTC 3.50!
Change log for ROBOTC 3.50 (since version 3.08):
MAJOR UPDATES:
- Full ANSI-C support to support pointers, recursion, and stacks with an updated compiler and updated robot firmware.
- New and Updated Debugger Windows:
- “Local Variables” to monitor variables in the current task or function.
- (Note: Local variables are only available when your program is suspended)
- “Global Variables” to monitor variables available to your entire program.
- “Call Stacks” to monitor function calls in the currently selected task.
- Updated Documentation and Wiki (www.robotc.net/wiki) – Constantly Updating!
- Support for Standard C commands – sprintf(), sscanf(), support for character arrays, unsigned variables, etc.
- Support for the Arduino family of controllers (Uno, Mega, Mega 2560) with future support and expanded functionality for the Arduino Leonardo and Due controllers.
- Updated Robot Virtual Worlds support to include additional sensors and motors.
- Improved Robot Virtual Worlds performance to simulate more realistic physics and robot behaviors.
- Support for the new MATRIX building system with the NXT.
Robot Specific Fixes:
- NXT I2C sensors were incorrectly initializing clock and data lines as outputs when first configuration. They were correctly left as inputs after first message was sent. Change was to initialize as inputs. Before change, the first I2C message on an empty port will incorrectly appear to succeed.
- Ignore HiTechnic Textrix Motor Controller spurious encoder counts. I.E. if encoder value read is hex ‘FF80xxxx’ then force a reread. Always accept the re-read value.
- Eliminate Z-Axis from VEX joystick window as is unused.
- Arduino boards now support controlling LEDs from PWM pins.
- Arduino boards now will read zero when connecting analog to ground.
Interface Updates/Fixes:
- Add “Show Current Program Counter” button to Debugger.
- Add new template for “New File”. All new programs will start with a task main structure. This template can be modified by the user (it lives in /Sample Programs/Platform/Templates)
- Always force “Save As” for all template files. Before the files were being saved in a default directory.
- Allow any serial port to be used with VEX PIC systems.
- Allow user entered blank (empty) lines before first “#pragma config(” lines. Currently generates a compiler error.
- Improve placement of related compiler generated errors to appropriate line numbers.
- Fix bug where “Motors and Sensors Setup” did not work on empty files.
- Properly restore floating “Debugger Panes” when Debugger is invoked.
- Changed Checkmarks to Radio Icons for many menu items. This shows a “dot” instead of a “check mark” in the menu icon field.
- Created tooltip strings in resource file for all missing commands.
- Prepare to add two new Debugger panes to display “Breakpoints” and “Bookmarks”. Based on the existing “Compiler Errors” pane architecture. The new panes are displayed but the content is still empty.
- Better synchronization of breakpoints between “Source File” and “Disassembly Listing”. Previously when breakpoint was added/removed in one window the corresponding change was not properly made in the other window. Now the breakpoint ICONs are always refreshed whenever a window is “Activated” (i.e. made topmost).
- Add two new menu commands for “increase indent” and “decrease indent”.
- Tweak “auto close breakpoint hit” message box implementation. Add a check mark to the dialog.
- Add new “Compile OR Compile+Download” toolbar.
- Debug “Task Status” window — minor enhancements.
- FONT name was not being updated in Preferences “Font” tab correctly. Fixed.
Compiler and Command Updates/Fixes:
- Pointer support. New functions positioning for improvements in the dereference (“*”) and address of (“&”) unary operators.
- New “#pragma debugWindows(…)” to specify a list of Debugger Windows that should be opened.
- Add new intrinsic function “DebugStreamClear” to allow programs on robot to clear the debug stream.
- Support for “Implied Pointers” in functions.
- Fixed compiler priority for binary and unary versions of ‘&’, ‘*’, ‘+’ and ‘-’ operators.
- Support for unsigned longs.
- Add new intrinsic function for “round”.
- Added support for ‘atan2′.
- Allow ‘struct’ pointers as valid function return types.
- Fix issue in ‘struct’ declaration causing a random memory overwrite in ROBOTC IDE.
- Support pointer variables for ‘++’ and ‘–’.
- ‘sizeof’ operator now accepts argument types of ‘char’, ‘short’, ‘long’, ‘float’, …
- Fix bug in evaluating “complicated” / compound constant expressions in “#if”.
- Add support for ‘%p’ format code in ‘sprintf’.
- Improve code generation for pointer references to ‘struct’.
- Added doubly nested ‘->’ operator.
- Fixed bug in unary ‘-’ VM opcode.
- Improve code generation for structure element access.
- Fix implementation of structure element access code generation; i.e. the “.” operator.
- Partially re-implement “sizeof” operator for proper calculation of ‘pointer’ and ‘reference’ variables.
- Add “drop down toolbar button” to “Compile and Download” toolbar to select “Download + Compile” or “Compile” only; vs two separate buttons.
- Add partial support for new download “write to RAM” message. Needed for new “local variables” window.
- Add support for new “trinary opcodes” (+, – and *) with ‘long’ operands. Previously trinary opcodes were for ‘short’ variables. Trinary opcodes are primarily used for efficient code generation for array and structure element access.
- Added definition for new “NoOp” command.
