Subject:
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Re: Ultimate ROBOLAB
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Sun, 12 Dec 2004 09:41:49 GMT
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Viewed:
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918 times
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In lugnet.robotics, Jerry Kalpin wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Claude Baumann wrote:
> > Finally, there it is:
> >
> > We now have Ultimate ROBOLAB ready for beta-testing. Ultimate ROBOLAB is an
> > extension to ROBOLAB that allows you to graphically write your own RCX firmware.
> > Find an introduction at
> > http://www.convict.lu/Jeunes/ultimate_stuff/Ultimate_intro.htm
> >
> > Requirements: ROBOLAB254
> >
> > If you are interested, please do send me a mail.
>
> Claude, what you have done is very exciting.
>
> While I program all my projects using Robolab, I suspect that 'Ultimate Robolab'
> is so far above my capabilities that I should not attempt to use it.
Ultimate is close enough to standard ROBOLAB to allow easy programming too.
Ultimate certainly is not reseved for high specialists.
>
> Here's what I understand: Ultimate Robolab is a program, which works with
> Robolab 2,5.4 but compiles its end product (my LEGO program) directly to
> Assembler language and H8 opcodes ...so that... I no longer need the LEGO RCX
> firmware to be installed first to do that work of compiling. Therefore, you
> call the programs it creates 'firmwares'.
Right. The gain is : memory, speed and control; the loss is : longer download
speed.
>
> My biggest problem using Robolab has been the lack of a manual. I have had to
> 'hack' my way through it with almost no reference material.
So did I. But today there are some good books. Do you know Eric Wang's new one?
>
> And now, you propose a version with much expanded capability.
>
> Can you tell us if NOW or in the FUTURE a comprehensive manual for Ultimate
> Robolab will be written?
I hope this will be done. But we only are at the beginning. There are actually 4
activities: 1. develop the more "user friendly" sub.vis for easy programming
(this is done at CEEO of Tufts University) ; 2. setup a "how-to" web site (also
at Tufts) ; 3. show the capabilities through various examples(that's my job.);
4. discussion about what follows next (Tufts and other partners.)
>
> Could you also comment on ...who will own the rights to Ultimate Robolab?
Not sure about this yet. Depends on decisions and certainly on the general
interest. Ultimate ROBOLAB will probably be more interesting for high schools or
colleges that have to deal with teaching micro-controllers and robotics. One
fact concerns the RCX and the LEGO material: it is a cheap solution, when you
have linited budgets and yet you want to have students do experiences in
practical courses. The other fact concerns the programming: the graphical
programming did not allow access to the RCX hardware. Ultimate ROBOLAB does!
Before you only could do this with C or Assembly language. That's a great gain.
It must be pointed out that Ultimate ROBOLAB (and another similar program that
we are currently developping to graphically program several Microchip PICs -
well working at alpha actually) was not created as a concurrent product to
ROBOLAB itself, but to prove that graphical microcontroller programming can be
done. The well structured ROBOLAB-like environment gives you the same
possibilities than text-orientated languages. But, it is much easier to learn
and to manage. And, not to forget that everything works on the LabVIEW
environment, which is being the best programing tool there is : easy to learn,
easy to program, easy to debug, and yet you can do powerful real-time and
plateform independent applications.
> Are you working on an arrangement with Pitsco Lego Dacta who I believe owns or
> shares the rights to market Robolab. I am asking this because of problems I
> have had in the past purchasing the software or upgrades to the software because
> of license agreements between Pitsco and Spectrum in Canada. Sometimes Spectrum
> (licensee) won't carry an upgrade due to low sales volume but Pitsco is not
> allowed to sell that upgrade directly to me.
>
> Possibly this is none of my business ...yet in a way it is. Whoever is selling
> it as a business would be expected to maintain it, issue upgrades, etc.
>
> Jerry
Claude
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Ultimate ROBOLAB
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| Thanks, Claude, for the detailed response and thank you, Larry Whitman, for the following link: (URL) ...and the 303 page Robolab Manual. Jerry (20 years ago, 12-Dec-04, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Ultimate ROBOLAB
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| (...) I think Ultimate Robolab sounds very cool. Unfortunately, I think some Robolab users may be confused by the name and think that their Robolab programs will be completely reuseable in Ultimate Robolab. As far as I can figure this is simply not (...) (20 years ago, 12-Dec-04, to lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Ultimate ROBOLAB
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| (...) Claude, what you have done is very exciting. While I program all my projects using Robolab, I suspect that 'Ultimate Robolab' is so far above my capabilities that I should not attempt to use it. Here's what I understand: Ultimate Robolab is a (...) (20 years ago, 11-Dec-04, to lugnet.robotics)
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