Mastodawn

Let's-a-go!

#LEGO #Mario #MarioKart #MicroPython #FOSS #Pybricks #Python

The best solution seems to be using a #Technic hub that runs #pybricks and connecting to it from a #raspberrypi over bluetooth.

I know this works, because I have done it before, but it does complicate things a lot for my not-so-technical users that want to follow along. It means maintaining code for both the Pi and the Hub and creating a protocol so they can communicate. Not impossible, but it seriously increases the learning curve.

PeterB May 10

Yesterday, I sent out my latest update on my #Lego sorting machine https://ml.streamhead.com/preview/445139/emails/153954825556461462

I mentioned that I had started the process of migrating away from the #EV3 onto the #Raspberry Pi Build HAT. However, after only a few hours with the HAT, I am already disappointed.

The Build HAT is not very reliable, does not have some functionality I want to use (detecting if a motor is stalled) and is completely closed and protected so the awesome people at #pybricks won' t be porting their software.

New documentation 📄and new plans 🗺️ - May 2025 Lego Sorter Update

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Lenny Feb 6

@laurensvalk Nice to see you here! You may want to check out https://digitalcourage.social/@f09fa681/113726242623687462 - it's all done using #Pybricks for the last hop now with a primary train hub and N secondary train hubs (listening on a broadcast channel). Think I should make it open source but the entanglement with #Threema group calls makes it a bit tricky right now.

Lenny (@f09fa681@digitalcourage.social)

Angehängt: 1 Bild There we go, the #LEGO #train insanity in action. <nerd-details> I'm using three decommissioned phones and a stationary notebook, all connected via #WebRTC. The phones connect to the train hub via Bluetooth (longer trains actually have two hubs connected simultaneously). It's all done using web technology, meaning the phones just open a website in their browser. Video and control data (speed, battery level, etc.) is transmissioned via WebRTC through an SFU, all fully end-to-end encrypted, of course. What I haven't shown here is that it leverages the #Threema group call technology, therefore people can actually see the trains in action inside the Threema app if the group call is announced inside a Threema group. Trivia: All trains actually use the same Threema ID. That is a feature, so that people using multi-device can join the same group call in Threema. But before this was added to Threema Desktop 2.0, the first real-world use case was controlling LEGO trains in 2023. </nerd-details>

digitalcourage.social

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rhempel Feb 6

@laurensvalk I cannot say enough about how awesome the work that @laurensvalk is doing - and how awesome he is as a person.

It is incredible that he has been able to do what the LEGO Group could not or did not want to do - unify the MINDSTORMS user experience under one app.

If you have a MINDSTORMS kit gathering dust bring it out again and try #pybricks - and if you don't want to do that, consider donating it to a kid in your area that is interested in tinkering.

#embedded #LegoMindstorms

Martin 🇪🇺Jan 20

Letzte Woche Mittwoch erschienen die Aufgaben zur #WRO Saison 2025. Heute kam die Matte an und wir haben die Hindernisse und Aufgaben gebaut, die Python Entwicklungsumgebung mit PyCharm auf den Rechnern an den Start gebracht und ich habe als Coach angefangen einen Projektplan aufzusetzen, Doku vorzubereiten und ein Kanbanboard in GitHub aufgesetzt. 💪
Jetzt müssen wir nur noch die Aufgaben bis zum Regionalentscheid am 18.05. irgendwie schaffen. 🫣
#wro2025 #WorldRobotOlympiad #legospike #pybricks

Lenny Jan 1

Make way for the #LEGO train!

#Pybricks is really amazing. It also gets rid of the PWM motor whine by using a different PWM frequency. I'm now gonna throw away the whole LEGO BLE protocol implementation and flash all my train hubs to Pybricks.

Matt Wood Oct 22, 2024

For the first time in a while I’ve got both work and home projects that excite me.

At work I’m building a new app with #Svelte that I get excited thinking about.

And at home I’m building a toy with #PyBricks and #LEGO for my kids.

Now, I’ve got stuff to look forward to around the clock!

Laurens Valk Jun 13, 2024

Thanks for the mention on Linux Out Loud @WendyDLN

Here's some additional notes that may or may not be useful 😀 , roughly in order of the podcast.

1. Firefox not supporting Web Bluetooth/USB is unlikely to change due to security concerns. See their official position here: https://mozilla.github.io/standards-positions/#web-bluetooth

Glad you found Chromium as an alternative.

2. Thank you for being supportive of #Pybricks having some add-on stuff for supporters like block coding! It's a fine balance to make #FOSS work.

Mozilla Specification Positions

Laurens Valk May 30, 2024

Control your #Duplo train with your other #LEGO sets using #Pybricks #micropython !

Kids can normally drive the train with an iPad, but this adds some fun play and learning opportunities beyond the push-and-go function, without extra screen time.

And it's pretty easy! Full guide: https://pybricks.com/project/control-the-duplo-train/

This demo is really basic, but you can build your own dashboard with literal bells and whistles 😀

Making your own Duplo Train controller

You can control the Duplo Train with and LEGO City, Technic, SPIKE, or MINDSTORMS. Here’s how you can build your own remote for your kids.

Pybricks