[Edu-sig] suggestion on using python robotics in class

[Matt K]

Thanks for your thoughts!

Um yes Its RCX. We've got 10 RCX bricks and all the associated bits. I do
have budget to buy alternate options if necessary.

I did read about the NXT bricks and their ability to go wireless, although I
don't have one myself so am not in a position to easily test it. The Python
code you link to that interface does look useful, but doesn't contain demo
code to show what would actually need to be *written* by the student to make
their program. I'm a strong believer in hiding all the unnecessary details
from students so that they only learn the big-picture (they're young!), but
its hard to judge how possible that will be with this code snipper.

I also read other solutions which require the computer to be running Linux.
Students at my school each have the own laptops which are heavily
administered by IT (as I am sure you can imagine) and it would be impossible
to get Linux on them, so I do need a windows-friendly solution.

The Tux things seems like a great idea too, and I think I'll grab one of
them. However, I still would very much like to do the RCX/NXT thing if at
all possible!





On 10/3/07, kirby urner <kirby.urner at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Matt --
>
> Thanks for your excellent questions.
>
> I feel we should clarify though.  Is it specifically the Lego Mindstorms
> bricks (previously the RCX, and now the NXT) that you're targeting?
>
> A lot of us have worked with "screen robots" or "virtual robots" that
> aren't actual mechanical devices.
>
> Examples:
>
> http://pyrorobotics.org/
> http://gvr.sourceforge.net/
>
> On the mechanical front, there's also this Tux Droid for like $90 per
> unit that is Python programmable, but the experience isn't the same
> as Mindstorms (the Droid talks in a human voice, but doesn't walk).
>
> http://www.tuxisalive.com/
>
> Article from 2001:
> http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/python/2001/03/21/pythonnews.html
>
> Here's something only a year old about programming the NXT in
> Python (the newest brick):
> http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Cookbook/Python/Recipe/498085
>
> Re NXT (for those needing background):
> http://mindstorms.lego.com/Overview/The_NXT.aspx
>
> Speaking for myself, I'm more into exploring Tux Droid these days,
> bought one at OSCON having seen it demoed at EuroPython in
> Lithuania.
>
> The Lego franchise is plenty huge yet doesn't circumscribe what's
> meant by "robotics".
>
> Python bindings to hardware:  still in its infancy.  Nokia a pioneer.
>
> Kirby
>
> On 10/2/07, Matt K <matt.kameron at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm new to this list and have poked around on the net and such for a way
> to
> > program robotics using Python, but have only found "annoying" ways which
> > would involve more effort on students' behalf than I'm hoping for.
> >
> > I'm a highschool teacher teaching 15 year olds. They are of very mixed
> > ability and it can be assumed that they've got a handle on based flow
> > control using conditionals but nothing on functions of loops. I'd then
> like
> > them to switch to robotics (which we do atm any) using Python (atm we do
> > robotics using the mindsotrms GUI which is terrible).
> > The following year they are more formally introduced to loops by writing
> > cgi-scripts, and it is only the year *after* that in which
> application-level
> > programming is considered (translation: they get to write computer
> games).
> >
> > So, what I'm after is esentially a simple way where they can type Python
> > code and then upload it somehow to the bricks, when can be run and do
> their
> > thing. Basics is all that is needed, reading inputs, sending outputs,
> some
> > ifs and some loops. Maybe functions too.
> >
> > Can anybody either help me by answering this question, or directing me
> to a
> > previous thread which might contain the answer?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Matt
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Edu-sig mailing list
> > Edu-sig at python.org
> > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig
> >
> >
>
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