Would it be possible to...

[Allosaurus]

Program a Pleo on RobotC? I'm guessing so, somehow, but I would like an answer. And also... If not, what program could be used?

-- A very curious robotics student

[PleoPet]

> Program a Pleo on RobotC? I'm guessing so, somehow, but I would like an answer.
Short answer - no
Longer answer - RobotC needs a runtime component adapted to the hardware (currently Lego NXT and VEX). For the development environment, you need a wired/wireless connection to the robot. RobotC is not open source.

The Pleo firmware is not open source. It doesn't have an (official) way to install/run custom ARM programs. It does not have a wireless way to connect to the PC.
----
Some of the issues are discussed here:
http://forums.pleoworld.com/showthread.php?t=1558
http://forums.pleoworld.com/showpost.php?p=11686&postcount=124
This is mostly in the context of URBI, which has different tradeoffs (see category #1 below)

FWIW: I consider them in 3 different categories:
#1) requires fulltime connection to PC. Examples: URBI on lower end robots (NXT, hypothetical Pleo); using Dyno-MITE on a tethered Pleo for direct interaction (not programming)
#2) connection to PC for development (compile/debug). When program is finished, it can run stand along on the robot (ie. robot has special runtime): Examples: RobotC (NXT,VEX), Microsoft Robot Studio (NXT, iRobot Create, others), URBI on the AIBO.
#3) no connection to PC required. Programs transferred to robot using media card. Runs on robot using proprietary runtime. Examples: Pleo (once PDK released), Robosapien RS Media
----
> And also... If not, what program could be used?
The Pleo programming system uses 'Pawn'. We are still waiting for UGOBE to release the "PDK" that gives you the tools for programming the Pleo. Check the other forums, and this page:
http://www.pleoworld.com/developer

In the meantime, you can use Skitter and YAPT (#3 style) or play with the robot using Dino-MITE over a USB cable (interactive #1 style)

[UgobeBarsha]

Hi Allosaurus,
I am not an expert in RobotC architecture. We have not yet investigated on the firmware for RobotC to run. So, you will have to use pawn to program Pleo for now. Thank you PleoPet for your reply.

[Allosaurus]

> Program a Pleo on RobotC? I'm guessing so, somehow, but I would like an answer.
Short answer - no
Longer answer - RobotC needs a runtime component adapted to the hardware (currently Lego NXT and VEX). For the development environment, you need a wired/wireless connection to the robot. RobotC is not open source.

The Pleo firmware is not open source. It doesn't have an (official) way to install/run custom ARM programs. It does not have a wireless way to connect to the PC.
----
Some of the issues are discussed here:
http://forums.pleoworld.com/showthread.php?t=1558
http://forums.pleoworld.com/showpost.php?p=11686&postcount=124
This is mostly in the context of URBI, which has different tradeoffs (see category #1 below)

FWIW: I consider them in 3 different categories:
#1) requires fulltime connection to PC. Examples: URBI on lower end robots (NXT, hypothetical Pleo); using Dyno-MITE on a tethered Pleo for direct interaction (not programming)
#2) connection to PC for development (compile/debug). When program is finished, it can run stand along on the robot (ie. robot has special runtime): Examples: RobotC (NXT,VEX), Microsoft Robot Studio (NXT, iRobot Create, others), URBI on the AIBO.
#3) no connection to PC required. Programs transferred to robot using media card. Runs on robot using proprietary runtime. Examples: Pleo (once PDK released), Robosapien RS Media
----
> And also... If not, what program could be used?
The Pleo programming system uses 'Pawn'. We are still waiting for UGOBE to release the "PDK" that gives you the tools for programming the Pleo. Check the other forums, and this page:
http://www.pleoworld.com/developer

In the meantime, you can use Skitter and YAPT (#3 style) or play with the robot using Dino-MITE over a USB cable (interactive #1 style)

If there was a new programming language created for it, I'm sure you could.

[Sean77408]

The Pleo firmware is not open source. It doesn't have an (official) way to install/run custom ARM programs. It does not have a wireless way to connect to the PC.

What about using a Wi-Fi SD card for a wireless connection to the PC? (hopefully for mac too).

[PleoPet]

> What about using a Wi-Fi SD card for a wireless connection to the PC? (hopefully for mac too).
Discussed in detail here http://forums.pleoworld.com/showthread.php?t=1009

Short version: Wi-Fi SD cards won't work.
Also IMHO WiFi is overkill. My recommendations from best to worst (also cheapest to most expensive): XBee, Bluetooth, WiFi. See other threads for discussion of XBee RF mods.

Ultimately the problem is the lack of a standard/official radio link. There are a few people who have RF enabled Pleos, but they are rare.
If Ugobe produces newer robot models, hopefully they will add a Bluetooth or other RF module, perhaps as an option.
NOTE: there is a Bluetooth serial connector inside the current Pleo (separate from the debug port on the bottom)

[Allosaurus]

> What about using a Wi-Fi SD card for a wireless connection to the PC? (hopefully for mac too).
Discussed in detail here http://forums.pleoworld.com/showthread.php?t=1009

Short version: Wi-Fi SD cards won't work.
Also IMHO WiFi is overkill. My recommendations from best to worst (also cheapest to most expensive): XBee, Bluetooth, WiFi. See other threads for discussion of XBee RF mods.

Ultimately the problem is the lack of a standard/official radio link. There are a few people who have RF enabled Pleos, but they are rare.
If Ugobe produces newer robot models, hopefully they will add a Bluetooth or other RF module, perhaps as an option.
NOTE: there is a Bluetooth serial connector inside the current Pleo (separate from the debug port on the bottom)

Lawl, what's RF? I know what bluetooth is, though...

[pleoWhisperer]

RF is Radio Frequency.

[Allosaurus]

RF is Radio Frequency.

Oh! Thanks!