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This guide describes all function calls in the application programming interface in the MiP Power Up-Pro Mini library. Function calls are organized into 18 groups and explained are in API Reference Index. Below are links to various examples which demonstrate how to use the functions in the library.

Table of contents

1. Requirements
2. Limitations
3. Setup
4. Blink
5. Next steps
6. API Reference Index
7. Examples

Requirements

Hardware

• The MPU-Pro Mini.

Software

• The Arduino IDE.

Limitations

MiP is a unique robot in that it must expend energy to stay upright. This unique quality can at times make it difficult to program and debug via USB, especially while MiP is moving around. Consider elevating MiPs wheels while testing the drive functions to prevent MiP from zipping right off the table.

Setup

Ensure the latest Arduino IDE (>2.x) is installed on your workstation and the MPU-Pro Mini is installed on MiP.

Blink

Once the MPU is installed on MiP, we're ready to program it. Launch Arduino IDE, make sure the port number for the D1 mini is selected from Tools->Port and upload the blink sketch from Arduino IDE's examples.

Working? Great! Now we do the fun stuff.

Next steps

It is time to start reviewing the examples provided below. Be sure to read the documentation for the API. Good luck!

Examples

Try the examples below in any order to learn how to use the API.

• ChestLED: Take control of the RGB LED in MiP's chest.
• Clap: Send descriptive messages to a serial monitor about each clap event MiP detects.
• ContinuousDrive: You want to control the motion of MiP in real time? This is the example for you.
• DisconnectApp: Disconnect all apps, including this sketch and any app that may be connected to Bluetooth.
• DistanceDrive: Tell MiP exactly how far to travel and forget about it.
• DriveForwardBackward: Tell MiP how long to drive forward/backward and forget about it.
• EnableGameMode: Cycle through each of the game modes available.
• EnableMiPDetectionMode: Allow MiP to be discovered by others.
• FallDown: Tired of standing around? Command MiP to fall flat on his face.
• Gesture: Use your hand to make gestures to MiP. Send descriptive messages about each detected gesture.
• GestureRadarMode: Want to learn more about how to enable/disable IR based gesture and radar measurements? Check out this example.
• GetUp: If MiP falls down, learn how to have him try getting back up on his wheels.
• HeadLEDs: Take control of the four individual eye LEDs in MiP's head.
• Odometer: How far has MiP been traveling around your personal robot laboratory? This example shows you how to find out and reset its measurement.
• PlaySound: Learn how to get MiP vocalizing under your control!
• Radar: Is there anything in front of MiP? This example sends descriptive messages when it detects changes in the obstacles around it.
• RawSendReceive: You found a command in WowWee's protocol specification that isn't supported by this library? This example shows you how to experiment with these new commands.
• ReadWriteEEPROM: Read and write your own data to MiP's EEPROM. This is useful for storing data across power cycles. See also ZeroEEPROM.
• ReadDongleCode: Reads IR code sent from another MiP. See also SendDongleCode.
• SendDongleCode: Sends IR signals to another MiP. See also ReadDongleCode.
• SRSdemo: MiP made an appearance at the Seattle Robotics Society meeting on April 21st, 2018. This is a cloud-enabled modification of the original code adamgreen demonstrated at the meeting.
• Shake: Is someone shaking poor little MiP? This example shows you how to detect such rudeness and report it.
• SoftwareHardwareVersion: This example shows you how to peek under the covers and see what hardware / software is running inside MiP.
• PersistentMemory: Learn how to use the ATmega328p's flash memory. This example writes a password to a file in memory and then reads in back. If the data that is read from the file matches what was written, MiP's chest LED will turn a violet color.
• Status: Detect changes in MiP's battery level or pose and report them.
• Stop: Danger! Danger! Stop MiP in his tracks before he gets itself into more trouble.
• TurnLeftRight: Tell MiP exactly how many degrees to turn and forget about it.
• Volume: MiP is too loud? Turn down the volume with this example.
• Weight: Detect weight changes in what MiP is carrying and report them.
• ZeroEEPROM: Write zeroes to each available byte in EEPROM. See also ReadWriteEEPROM.