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Microsoft Robotics Studio and Lego Mindstorms NXT

I have published my latest article on MSDN's Coding4Fun titled "Microsoft Robotics Studio and Lego Mindstorms NXT".  This article will demonstrate how to use Microsoft Robotics Studio v1.5 to drive a robot built using Lego Mindstorms NXTwith an Xbox 360 Controller in C#, VB.NET and MSRS' included Visual Programming Language.

Comments welcome!

Published Jul 16 2007, 07:03 PM by Brian Peek
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Comments

 

Kashif Sharif said:

Hi,

I downloaded the code, and when I try to open the LegoTriBotVPL.mvpl file, the error comes up on the VPL intrface as "The file LegoTriBotVPL.mvpl could not be opened."

Why is this? Am I doing something wrong ?

August 8, 2007 4:08 PM
 

Brian Peek said:

I'm not certain. Are you using v1.5 of MSRS?  Have you tried opening any other VPL files?

I'm not seeing the issue here, nor has anyone else reported, so I don't have any ideas off the top of my head...

August 8, 2007 5:14 PM
 

Jeff Baucom said:

Can you provide full samples of the C# source code?   I am using this to learn C#.  Thanks

August 15, 2007 10:00 PM
 

Brian Peek said:

Jeff,

Samples in all three languages are linked from the original article on Coding4Fun...

August 15, 2007 10:04 PM
 

Kashif Sharif said:

Hi,

I kind of solved the problem i previously mentioned in August. It was just an issue with the genaric drive.

I had another question: Can the XInputController take input from any game pad, or is it stuck with Microsoft Xbox 360 controller only. I mean can I use a simple Logitec USB gamepad to do the same thing ?

Thanks.

October 22, 2007 3:36 PM
 

Brian Peek said:

The XInputController is tied directly to the 360 controller.  It's using XNA under the hood which, under that hood, talks directly to the XInput API, which is for the 360 controller only.

I *think* you can use the GameController service to use a generic gamepad or joystick...

October 22, 2007 5:04 PM
 

Amator said:

Hello! Could you tell me, please, how can I use Generic Differential Drive and Generic Motor in same project. I can't use it together neither in C#, no in VPL... :(

January 6, 2008 5:25 PM
 

Brian Peek said:

Amator, I don't have the info on that.  You may wish to try posting at MS' MSRS forums:

forums.microsoft.com/.../default.aspx

January 6, 2008 9:05 PM
 

musclebai said:

img252.imageshack.us/my.php

have a look at the above vpl sample.I have been able to drive a lego mindstorms nxt by wire using a gamepad i found from a below 5 $ store.

March 6, 2008 11:15 AM
 

Ron Kessler said:

Brian, my NXT can communicate with the PC, I can use the Lego-G software and download via BT. I followed your instructions in your article and get no errors. However, the web page comes up and insists the NXT is not connected...tried COM5 (as it reports) but is won't connect. Tried on my XP and Vista PC's with the same results. Using three diiferent dongles including the ABe from Lego....any thoughts?

thanks

March 14, 2008 2:02 PM
 

Ron Kessler said:

Brian, I can run your program w/o error. MSRS shows in the nxt. But when I run the program in VS it shows a brief command window that goes by too fast to read and the program ends....You mention repathing the manifest file. Not sure what you mean.

Ron

March 26, 2008 6:26 PM
 

Miles said:

Ron, have you tried COM4?

Quick way to make sure you've got the right com port, double click on your bluetooth icon in the bottom right corner and select the COM Ports tab at the top.  There should be two COM ports saved for the NXT, make sure to use the Outgoing one.

If you don't see any COM ports set for the NXT, you'll need to go back and reattach to the bluetooth network following the post that Brian wrote before.

- Miles

March 31, 2008 3:47 PM
 

dina said:

I m using MS Robotics Studio. I want to create DSS C++ service having multiple input connection pins? How Can I do That? If u have some idea plz reply me asap.

September 9, 2008 4:45 AM
 

Brian Peek said:

@dina

I've never used MSRS with C++....anyone else?

September 10, 2008 2:55 AM

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About Brian Peek

Brian is a Microsoft C# MVP who has been actively developing in .NET since its early betas in 2000, and who has been developing solutions using Microsoft technologies and platforms for even longer. Along with .NET, Brian is particularly skilled in the languages of C, C++ and assembly language for a variety of CPUs. He is also well-versed in a wide variety of technologies including web development, document imaging, GIS, graphics, game development, and hardware interfacing. Brian has a strong background in developing applications for the health-care industry, as well as developing solutions for portable devices, such as tablet PCs and PDAs. Additionally, Brian has co-authored the book "Debugging ASP.NET" published by New Riders, and is currently co-authoring a book titled "Coding4Fun: 10 .NET Programming Projects for Wiimote, YouTube, World of Warcraft, and More" to be published by O'Reilly in November 2008. Brian is also an author for MSDN's Coding4Fun website.

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