Hi Teemune, sorry for the delay. Great videos! I'm going to put this up asap

Dear all,

I have finally finished the programming of my RCX controlled 9V LEGO trains. One "hardware" approach is shown in the RailBricks journal, issue 3 (http://www.railbricks.com/media/railbricks_3.pdf).

At that time I was using NQC - but already in combination with the enhanced firmware from Dick (fast0618.lgo). It worked reasonably well then, but I have moved the code entirely to RobotC. RobotC simply outperforms NQC in many regards - I guess this is mainly due to the fact that you guys improve both, the language as well as the firmware, right? As far as I am concerned, the current RobotC version (2.02) along with the latest RCX firmware is indeed the "Best Programming Language for Educational Robots", as advertised on your web page.

The basic idea of my train project is to run multiple trains, each carrying one RCX, on the same track layout. The tracks are always powered up with 12 V AC or DC. The RCX picks up that power from a slightly modified 9V train motor as power source and delivers power to the same motor via appropriate outputs A ... C. Depending on the tractive force needed, up to three motors may be used.

Train control occurs via a two/one byte message exchange protocol. The host program (or host RCX or learning remote control) sends out one-byte broadcast messages or two consecutive ID/control byte messages. The train acknowledges (handshake turned on) and responds with appropriate action (light on/off, some sound, etc.).

What was most exciting to me was that I could implement an PID algorithm to control the speed of the train. That was simply not possible with standard LEGO firmware. Dicks enhanced firmware was looping fast enough through the PID task that the trains run very smoothly through tight loops, smooth grades, switch points etc. It is funny to hear the PWM output adjusting like crazy - but speed is always constant. That is so cool. (The NXT has all that built-in, but the RCX does not). All that business runs with standard LEGO stuff.

Finally, floating point math (not possible wit NQC) and all other features I could use in RobotC resulted in the latest and final program versions: Delayed PID set point setting (When power is turned to full throttle, the train moves very smoothly from zero speed to final destination) - I guess this is what real train enthusiasts have implemented in their DCC electronics) - some LCD panel data updates and other rather lame things.

Would that be something for the "cool projects page"?

If not: I like to thank the developers for their dedicated work. I once payed 30 bucks for a license, and I still can upgrade and upgrade and upgrade - for free. This is simply amazing, considering that the RCX was introduced about 12 years ago!!!

Well if so (see above, plus:)
- Do I need to have a web page to point to movies or something (Well, I don't have that yet)
- Would pictures do? The program is certainly public domain as well.

In any case:
Thank you all for that brilliant work. And by the way: Mightor is one of the best Forum moderators I "know".

Best regards,
Thorsten

Thorsten,

That is an amazing project there and congrats on all of the work you put into it. I am very impressed! I would love to put your project into the Cool Projects area. Do you happen to have any video that you can pass along of it running? I like to feature a lot of visuals with the project because people like seeing things move.

Thanks for the kind words as well. We continue to improve from feedback from all of you and your message gives us motivation to continue doing so.

Let me know if you have anything I can add visually to go with your very thorough explanation of the project.

Vu,

thank you for your kind words!

Guess, it will take a little time.
(My daughter frequently uploads videos to YouTube, so she must know how to get that going. Problem will be to convince her that my LEGO trains are worth her valuable time ...

I'll work on that!

Best wishes,
Thorsten

No problem, just let me know when you have it and I will put your project up ASAP!

Anyone have any new projects they've been working on? I'll feature it on robotc.net! Let me know.

Vu,

I will have something in a few days. I got my holonomic wheels from Singapore in the other day and am now working on a robot that follows lines

I'll let you know when it's done.

- Xander

Sweet! Take some awesome video and photos

Vu,

as per our communication a couple of months ago: I finally got a video online:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTP6WtcnQbg

This shows the RCX controlled trains (running the RobotC RCX firmware and C-program) in operation. Let me know if this is appropriate for the Cool projects page. If so, what else do you need? I could generate a brief description.

Also, I have put together a couple of PDF files showing the general program operation. The C-source files are also available. I uploaded them to BrickShelf, but they are still not public yet, I guess they don't like PDF- and C-files, they want pictures.

Anyway, just let me know what you think.

Regards,
Thorsten

This is my porject with Tetrix and RobotC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajkBiUuIQDw

-Frank

Hi all, my brother Odysseus and I have finished our first project of a shooter bot using RobotC.

We have posted the project on our Blog:



You can download the source files here.

Thanks for the new posts! I'll put these up this week.

Making another call for new projects if anyone has anything to post up. Thanks!

The Minifig Vomit Mobile:
http://mightor.wordpress.com/2010/09/22 ... it-mobile/

with a video here: http://mightor.wordpress.com/2010/09/21 ... or-a-spin/

The first article also has the source code for it

- Xander

That's so cool Xander

I'll put that up asap for robotc-tube