Questions tagged [programming]

Questions about programming the various LEGO programmable bricks, including Mindstorms (Robot Inventor, EV3, NXT, and RCX), Wedo, Spike and Scout, in either the provided languages and editors, or more advanced languages.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
4 votes
2 answers
111 views

Is it possible to have a motor default to a certain position at the start of the code? I'm trying to use the motor as a servo, and it's annoying

The motor is attached to a "door", which rotates to block off an opening. I have it coded to manually go back 1/4 of a rotation, and the distance sensor attached will send it forwards 1/4 of ...
  • 41
2 votes
0 answers
78 views

Mindstorms M.V.P. model doesn't move

I'm a total newbie to Mindstorms 51515. I am trying to program my M.V.P. model and everything seems to work except the movement programming blocks (pink). Does anyone have a hint or a clue about what'...
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is it possible to re-flash the LEGO Spike Prime Hub with Mindstorms Robot Inventor Hub Firmware while retaining all functionality? And if so, how?

Unfortunately, LEGO has recently announced that after 24 years, the Mindstorms line of Robotics Kits is officially being discontinued at the end of this year. For this reason, the 51515 Robot Inventor ...
4 votes
2 answers
122 views

How to change colour of the bluetooth/charging RGB LED in the hub?

I have the Mindstorms set 51515 - Robot Inventor. I want to display the progress of a robot's work using the LEDs. How can I change the colour of the RGB LED that the hub uses to indicate the ...
5 votes
1 answer
206 views

How do I copy blocks in LEGO 51515 block IDE?

I have been trying to copy and paste blocks in the new IDE that I downloaded from the Microsoft store (v 10.3.1). I do not seem to be able to copy block code from one project to another. How can I ...
3 votes
1 answer
78 views

Accessing an EV3 brick on computer without MINDSTORMS Home

I am trying to hack my EV3, and I know I can make it execute commands I send via USB thanks to the communication developer kit. When I connect it via USB, it is only visible by the MINSTORMS Home app ...
3 votes
1 answer
188 views

How to cross compile for ev3dev using Docker

How to add ev3dev libraries/headers to docker cross-compile setup? I have assembled ev3dev on BrickPi (with Raspberry Pi 1 - chip BCM2835). I think, it all should be pretty similar for EV3 brick too. ...
  • 141
7 votes
0 answers
214 views

Looking for a PC controlled motor that allows for very small and precise movements

The image below is a LEGO specimen stage designed for a stereo microscope. I am looking for a recommendation for a PC controlled motors that allows for very small and precise movements. I want use ...
3 votes
1 answer
104 views

When using Mindstorms Scratch-like development tool for EV3, is it possible to move a single or a few selected blocks somehow?

Say I have 10 random blocks in a line. Is it possible to move number 4 to position 1 without also moving block 5-10? As far as I have managed to move blocks all following blocks also gets moved even ...
  • 31
2 votes
2 answers
192 views

Multiple Programming Blocks Running at Same Time

My team created a simple program to drive robot out. It consists of a MyBlock to drive straight a specified distance and speed utilizing the Gyro sensor. The program then activates a third large ...
  • 21
2 votes
3 answers
575 views

"Heads up! Could not open project" error message when opening project

When I try to open my project it gives me error saying "Heads up! Could not open project". Could you please help me? Let me know if you want me to share the file. We were working on that ...
4 votes
1 answer
790 views

Why did the light block change in SPIKE v2.0.0+?

I found Unofficial SPIKE Prime Block Guide, which has following details: And if you open the SPIKE app (2.0.0 or newer), the light blocks were completely changed: Is anyone able to explain why?
  • 391
6 votes
1 answer
457 views

How to use REPL on the 51515 hub?

I've just got access to a 51515 Hub and I tried to connect to it as a serial port (with baudrate 115200), however it's spamming the console with motor/sensor data: {"m":0,"p":[[62, ...
0 votes
0 answers
138 views

Ev3 classroom 1.5.2.0 not working

When I try to create a new project or open an old project, the program does not work. We have 10 computers (desktops) with different versions of Windows 10 Stuck on this.
9 votes
1 answer
413 views

robotic inventor\spike prime hubs: Hub 2 hub communication AND led matrix control

Recently the Spike essentials set was released, including the very interesting 3x3 led matrix part: The matrix allows to set each individual pixel in the 3x3 array to 10 different shades of 10 ...
6 votes
1 answer
246 views

Mindstorm 51515 If then else alternative - like a switch statement

Is there a way to act on multiple values for a variable? For example, x may be 1, 2, or 3. If then else allows for 2 conditions. Multiple "ifs" work, but is cumbersome. Ideally I'd like a ...
2 votes
1 answer
61 views

How do you scroll the canvas in EV3 Classroom?

I have EV3 classroom installed on Mac. I am writing a pretty lengthy program that does not fit in a single screen. However, I am not able to figure how to scroll down or move sideways. This should be ...
  • 21
1 vote
0 answers
180 views

"Heads up! Could not open project" error message in EV3 software [duplicate]

Whenever we try to edit one of our old projects our EV3 Mindstorms Home software shows us the "Heads up! Could not open project" screen. What should we do? I am on the Mac OS Big Sur 11.2.3 ...
0 votes
1 answer
92 views

EV3G Where can I find the .vix file for the low-level functions? (Set integer, IO operations, start block)

They look like this: By default, when you refer to a vix file, it looks like this: <Reference Type="VILib" Name="TerminalTerminal.vix" /> But, to refer to these low-level ...
  • 131
5 votes
1 answer
271 views

EV3 not recognizing resistance correctly (MicroPython)

I recently tried measuring the resistance of a thermistor using the .resistance() method, the results are sadly not accurate. I measured the resistance with a multimeter and it showed 100kΩ, while the ...
  • 53
4 votes
1 answer
104 views

EV3-G custom block crashes when Switch statement is copied

My team and I are trying to convert our coding framework made of myblocks into actual blocks. I made an application, that generates a "shell" of the block (the modes, and parameters). After ...
  • 131
3 votes
1 answer
297 views

Robot Inventor Bluetooth not working

A while ago, I started up the Robot Inventor program and noticed the computer was not connecting. When I clicked the "Connect" button, the loading "circle" simply started spinning ...
3 votes
3 answers
461 views

How to stop or freeze the EV3 large motor in position

How do I stop or freeze the large motor in a fixed position? I have a forklift type attachment that will lift to the precise height, but will not stay in position due to the weight of the attachment. ...
3 votes
0 answers
103 views

How do I import my programs from makecode (Chromebook) to my EV3 robot

While using makecode I wanted to import my file to my EV3 robot but it says that I have to connect my EV3 robot to my computer and then move the file to the robot. But since I'm on Chromebook I don't ...
  • 31
4 votes
0 answers
47 views

How do I sync audio and movement on my NXT 2.0?

How do I sync audio and movement with my NXT 2.0? I'm building an animatronic head and I can't find a good way to sync it with external audio because the internal speaker is too quiet.
0 votes
1 answer
68 views

Program just stops motors and won't move

I'm trying to make a program in the NXT software that turns on the motors unlimited, then waits until something is less than 30 cm, stops the motors, turns to the left 30 degrees and saves the value ...
4 votes
0 answers
194 views

Migrate Lego Boost Android app data to another device

I have a Lego Boost Android application installed on device #1 and the app is logged into my LEGO cloud account (the same used for Lego Life etc. too) and is fully synced with cloud. On this device I ...
  • 231
13 votes
2 answers
4k views

Where can one find the documentation for the LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor software?

Is the documentation (either official or unofficial) of the programming "language" for the LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor software available somewhere? Preferably online, without requiring ...
  • 14.7k
2 votes
2 answers
546 views

How to get a random value in the LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor software

I am making a Python program with the LEGO Robot Inventor software which will, among other things, turn the robot a random amount periodically, which of course requires a random number. However, I ...
4 votes
1 answer
551 views

When using pi * distance between wheels/tracks, how do I measure distance between wheels?

I am trying to make a program that requires my 51515 to turn a specified number of degrees. I found a way to do that on the LEGO app's "Knowledge Base", but the given example was: import ...
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

Programming on a chromebook with EV3

How do I install the new Lego block programming software on a chromebook? We have the standard version, but want the new one that looks like Scratch.
8 votes
1 answer
201 views

Help with my Ev3 printer

I'm building an image printer using my ev3 set and several more pieces, as a project to keep me occupied while I'm stuck at home. Here's how it looks: I've done the build part, the way I've chosen to ...
  • 83
0 votes
1 answer
155 views

Using Power functions to teach robotics

I am a robotics engineer and I would like to introduce and teach my girlfriend to robotics. I would like to first get her the material for the first project. I would love to build a small Lego car ...
6 votes
1 answer
317 views

Why doesn't my LEGO Micropython remote control program work?

I am writing an EV3 micropython program meant to test my remote, but it does not work. When I run it, I see no errors at all. Instead, I just see a "play" symbol and the program continuously ...
4 votes
1 answer
159 views

Automating self built models

I have just started with Lego, building the excavator with the 2 Bluetooth hubs. Can I program a model I build using this type of hub and motors or do I require EV3 (if indeed EV3 allows you to ...
  • 41
1 vote
0 answers
201 views

Strange blocks appeared in my program

In my Mindstorms program, I found these strange blocks. They appeared when I sent this program to my other PC on Windows 10, which is more powerful. They don't work and I can't change them. Mindstorms ...
  • 27
3 votes
1 answer
120 views

Any way to get the current motor position or angle in WeDo 2 (when accessing hub via BLE protocol)?

I have managed to write a small C# program that lets me play around with the WeDo 2 hub. I can read sensor values or set the speeds of up to two connected WeDo motors independently (I am aware that ...
  • 171
1 vote
0 answers
98 views

EV3 square pattern motion [closed]

I'm trying to make my EV3 robot move in a square path, and an infinity path. I've tried this code for a square path but it's not working.
3 votes
3 answers
1k views

Online link to the LEGO NXT firmware (v1.31) source code or IAR ARM LEGO development tools?

I am looking for the source code to latest NXT firmware (v1.31). I found the binary image is on LEGO site: https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/mindstorms/downloads, but no links to firmware source code ...
  • 51
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there a duplicate/copy paste function in Lego Mindstorms Ev3 programing?

I remember, when I first started out Lego Mindstorms, there was a copy and paste (duplicate) blocks function. I could highlight and right click the blocks then press on duplicate to make another copy ...
  • 166
3 votes
1 answer
120 views

Error message when using loop index as an array index to get value in arrays

My program moves an ultrasonic sensor around 260 degrees and the values are recorded down in an array variable every 2 degrees it turns. It moves back and measure it 3 more times, storing each ...
  • 166
1 vote
2 answers
379 views

How do you display multiple items at once on an EV3 screen?

I'm trying to make a program on the EV3 that will imitate the shutdown process. At first, I wanted to make my life easier by naming the program "Shutting Down" and not interfere with the display in ...
0 votes
1 answer
249 views

Where to start with a custom firmware for the NXT

In the process of hardware hacking with my NXT 2.0 I Found no easy way to connect the device as a USB storage device. Is there a specification that states how the NXT interacts over USB, or should I ...
2 votes
0 answers
288 views

How to get Lego Mindstorms EV3 expansion set (45560) programmes in Scratch

I bought recently Mindstorms EV3 expansion set (45560) and found out that the available programs are written in old LabView-style programming language: https://le-www-live-s.legocdn.com/sc/media/files/...
2 votes
0 answers
228 views

Lego Mindstorms Software: "Error code: 4"

After updating my EV3 Brick's firmware from V1.09E to V1.10E and reinstalling the Teacher Edition of the Lego Mindstorms EV3 software (even though I'm not a teacher), I decided to recover my Brick's ...
1 vote
0 answers
714 views

Bluetooth connection between EV3 brick and MacBook Pro fails after 2 seconds

As I was adviced, I searched for same questions before posting mine but although some are similar, I can't make their answer useful for my problem. I have a Mindstorms EV3 Education brick and a ...
2 votes
1 answer
115 views

EV3 program runs fine when connected to PC but does not respond when copied to the brick

I am building the race car mentioned in the LEGO Mindstorms discovery book using an EV3 brick. The problem I am facing is that the driving program runs fine when the brick is connected to the PC via ...
2 votes
0 answers
228 views

How do I make a single arm double tap a piano key?

I am trying to make a Lego play piano from ev3, where I have connected two arms to a single motor on either side using Lego elements. Both the arms move counterclockwise to one another (if one plays ...
0 votes
1 answer
405 views

LEGO EV3 Ultrasonic sensor missing from Home Edition programmer [duplicate]

I'll get straight to the point: When I open my LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition programmer and try to use an ultrasonic sensor, there is no option for it in any blocks. I don't even see any allusion ...
1 vote
1 answer
76 views

How to make Spik3r move without the pincers moving

How do you make Spik3r move without the pincers moving as well? Seems like the legs are only controlled by the motor on port B, but the move tank and steer modules only allow for the use of 2 ports. ...
  • 11

1
2 3 4 5