UVBotsV2.0-APP, Web Responsive Platform for Three Programming Environments focused on Interactive Learning of Programming Courses using Mobile Robots
UVBotsV2.0-APP is a Web responsive application which is able to display three different programming environments namely: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. The basic level is commonly used by newbie users, and it uses graphical programming to learn basic programming concepts. The intermediate level uses Python based programming; and the advanced level uses ANSI C language. In all three cases, users are able to program different functionalities of a set of mobile robots called UVBotsV2.0. The program is compiled on line, then it is downloaded, and a local application is used to program the robot. Actually, UVBotsV2.0-APP is a registered software legally recognized by the Interior Ministry of Colombia. This document can be downloaded here.
At the very beginning, the UVBotsV2.0-App can be accessed using registered users at http://uvbots.univalle.edu.co. At the home page, different information about the research project and authors can be found.
Also, this interface and further pages are Web Responsive, this means they automatically adapt to users screen.
Automatically, UVBotsV2.0-APP load the graphical programming interface for beginners. In this programming interface users can found: programming all mobile robot sensors (encoders, proximity, bumpers, IMU, and camera), managing variables, controlling robot movements (displacements, direction of movement and velocities), flow control directives, robot communications using Bluetooth, user interaction (colored LEDs and buzzer), and invoking predefined functions. Also, the GUI allows users deleting blocks, compiling the user program, download the compiled program, and to observe the Python and C version of the user program.
The intermediate level is based on Python programming. Here users are able to do the following:Writing Python code considering all the functionalities of the mobile robot framework.
Using all the standard tools of any text editor interface.
Automatically, this Python text editor identifies the mobile robot functionalities in order to change their foreground color.
Users can compile, and download the compiled program.
The advanced level is based on ANSI C programming. Here, two C archives are loaded: the first one is related with the main user task, and the second one is the user event tasks. The robot firmware is based on the FreeRTOS operative system, then, it is important do not delete important C code in these files. Using the advanced level, users can do the following:Using all the standard tools of any text editor interface.
Writing ANSI C code based on the mobile robots firmware (UVBotsV.0-Firmware).
Automatically, this ANSI C text editor identifies keywords to change their foreground color.
Users can compile, and download the compiled program.
At the end, using either the graphical, or intermediate or advanced programming interface, users download the HEX file to be programed on the mobile robots. This last step is performed using a Java based application which uses the Atemel AVROSP package.Once, the user download the program on the mobile robot, it would be the only one program into the robots memory.
This software was developed for educational and service use. If you like more information, please contact me:
Prof. Bladimir Bacca Cortes Ph.D.
Address: Cra. 100, Street 13, Universidad del Valle, Melendez, Building 354, Office 1001.
Tel: +5723212100 Ext. 7656