Getting Started With Visual Robotics Studio
MicroSoft Visual Robotics Studio is a powerful, drag'n'drop visual environment for programming a wide range of robots, from expensive commercial robots, to affordable Lego MindStorms and LEGO NXT robots.
Getting started with the Visual Robotics Studio can be quite intimidating for the beginner, so we've put together some resources to hopefully make it a little less painful!
Getting Started
Getting Started with Microsoft VPL and a LEGO NXT robot
Getting Started with Microsoft VPL and a Lego RCX robot
Getting Started in the Simulator
The Microsoft Visual Programming Language can be used to control robots in 3D virtual world. Let's Get Started with Simulated Robots
What Does That Bit Do?
A collection of worked examples showing how to use the basis Visual Programming blocks and Activities. Visit the Block Glossary (see also: Generic Block Glossary and RCX Activity Blocks Glossary (both TBC)).
How do the activity blocks work? Using the Blocks
Lego Robots in Action
A short course on programming Lego Mindstorms robots using the Visual Programming Language. Based on activities developed for use in the Open University short course T184 Robotics and the Meaning of Life and the Robotics activity from the OU residential school TXR174 Technology in Action
Activity 1 Overview: LEGO Mindstorms and LEGO NXT robot prototyping systems
Activity 2: Remote Control
Activity 3: Programming Overview
Activity 4: Getting the Robot to Move
Activity 5: Open-Loop Control
Activity 6: Using Gears
Activity 7: Using Sensors
Activity 8: Programming Structures (TBC)
Activity 9: Closed loop control -- collision detector
TXR174 Activity 12: Interpreting light sensor data
TXR174 Activity 13: Closed loop control -- line stopper
TXR174 Activity 14: Programming an Edge Follower
TXR174 Activity 15: Using sensors -- rotation sensor
TXR174 Activity 16, 17, 18: N/A
How Visual Robotics Studio Works
Not for the uninitiated or the easily scared!
About This Project
The examples produced for this project were originally developed for use with the Lego Robotics Invention System and the Lego RCX brick, which can still be found in many schools today, despite the release of the 'next generation' Lego NXT robotic system and the rise of other educational robotics platforms.
Many of the examples can be easily modified to work with other robot systems, which is why we are making the materials available through a wiki - if you have got the examples to work with other robot systems, feel free to add details to the relevant page.
Lego NXT and VPL Blogs and Interesting Blog Posts
The NXT STEP - LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Blog
nxtasy - Building A Lego NXT Community Brick by Brick
Mindstorms Education NXT (official LEGO blog)
Girl Geek
Lego NXT and Wiimote Control
Some other interesting stuff
(Geeks only!)
Channel 9 Screencast: Andreas Ulbrich demonstrates the Microsoft Visual Programming Language
Channel 9 Screencast: RESTful Robotics: Henrik Frystyk Nielsen on the Microsoft Robotics Studio
Channel 9 video: Microsoft Robotics Studio
Channel 9 video: Microsoft Robotics Tour: CCR, VPL, Simulation - Part 1
Channel 9 video: Microsoft Robotics Tour: CCR, VPL, Simulation - Part 2
This work has been funded by:
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