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#1 2026-06-25 19:23:13
- tahanson43206
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AstroCello13 Postings
This topic is reserved for communication with and from AstroCello13.
Welcome to AstroCello13 on June 25, 2026.
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#2 2026-06-25 19:23:52
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members.
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#3 2026-09-25 10:18:32
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
This post is entered to place the topic for AstroCello in the Active list.
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#4 2026-10-24 07:33:56
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
For AstroCello13 re visit to middle school site to demonstrate robot instructional system.
Thanks again for setting up our visit to the middle school where our system was evaluated for possible use in next year's robotics class. The robotics class already is based upon the Vex robot system, so our system will be a supplement if it is accepted.
We were given an opportunity to show what the hardware looks like, and to demonstrate a few basic operations.
We also participated in a whiteboard review of the functional diagram and possible ways the system might be adapted for the instructional mission of the class.
Of particular note is the idea of inviting students to generate command strings that could be input to the Raspberry Pi and delivered to the LynxMotion, completely independently of the Cokoino controller.
I am investigating how we might adapt the existing Python program to accept this new task.
If I understand the concept correctly, the student would use the Cokoino controller to scope out the movements for a scenario.
The student would then return to the desk to plan the motions in the language understood by the LynxMotion.
I understand the school is considering purchase of a cart to hold the system we demonstrated.
I am investigating making the system independent of the wall socket, by powering everything from a 12 volt lithium battery.
This appears to be quite feasible, since the devices use:
LynxMotion: 12 VDC
Raspberry Pi 5 VDC
Coloino 9 VDC
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#5 2026-10-25 12:53:46
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
For AstroCello13 re turnover of LynxMotion to middle school...
Per our discussion, it appears that the school Chromebooks can deliver command strings to the LynxMotion arm using a null modem USB cable.
I will provide the LynxMotion and the cable as soon as this offer is confirmed.
Here are the links to the current software that will not be needed:
1) Python
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/now4wha7 … lj1p8&dl=0
2) Cokoino
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hisfpxcz … c1vhx&dl=0
No further development of the software is planned.
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#6 2026-10-26 09:24:49
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
For AstroCello13 re transcripts produced by Cokoino-RP5-LynxMotion system during test runs:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/70y7tdpx … j3s3d&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2y74tuy6 … 2hy6r&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lzgc2hlw … 224wh&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gtj97gl3 … 0feto&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tx7efdhf … g51bp&dl=0
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#7 2026-10-29 09:56:41
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
For AstroCello13 re QR codes for student assignments in secure environment:
Here is a sample I created today using the default QR code generator in Chrome on my Chromebook.
The image did not have to be saved to the local storage, which may not be possible in a student Chromebook.
Instead, I pasted the image into an ordinary word-type document, and that can be saved in the authorized student storage.
Update: I was able to capture the contents of the QR code on my Android phone.
Can you guess which pose this is?
For that matter, can ** anyone ** in NewMars guess what pose this is?
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#8 Yesterday 08:19:38
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
For AstroCello13 re QR code testing...
The QR code in the post above shows up fine on a computer monitor.
The purpose of ** this ** post is to record the steps needed to install and test a web cam on the RP5.
Begin Quotation with Gemini:
Step 1: Connect the Webcam to the RP5
Acquire the adapter: Get a simple, high-speed USB-C (female) to USB-A (male) adapter (ensuring it supports data transfer, not just charge-only).Plug in: Connect the QBSBOT camera's USB-C cable into the adapter, and plug the adapter into one of the blue USB 3.0 ports on the RP5 (this ensures maximum bandwidth for high-resolution video streaming).
Keep Power Independent: Continue powering the RP5 through its designated USB-C power input using its official power supply, keeping power and data completely isolated.
Step 2: Verify the Camera Connection in Linux
Once connected, verify that the Linux operating system on the RP5 detects the camera hardware. Open a terminal on the RP5 and run:Bash
lsusb
Verification: Look through the output list for a video device entry corresponding to your webcam or its internal chipset manufacturer.Next, check that the Linux video subsystem has assigned a video node (like /dev/video0) to the camera:
Bash
ls -l /dev/video*
Verification: You should see /dev/video0 (and potentially audio nodes if the webcam has a built-in mic).Step 3: Install Lightweight Testing Tools
To quickly test live capture and ensure the camera's focus and exposure can clearly resolve a monitor-displayed QR code, install fswebcam or Python's OpenCV bindings:Bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install fswebcam python3-opencv python3-pyzbar -y
You can snap a quick test image to check framing and clarity:Bash
fswebcam --device /dev/video0 --resolution 1280x720 test_capture.jpg
Verification: Open test_capture.jpg on the desktop to confirm that the image is crisp, well-lit, and that text/QR patterns held up against a monitor are sharply focused.
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#9 Yesterday 15:17:15
- tahanson43206
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Re: AstroCello13 Postings
For AstroCello13 re QR code assignment transmission....
I carried out a series of experiments today, using a printed copy of the QR code in the post above.
ChatGPT suggested a QR code reader which I ran on Ubuntu. The results were encouraging. The text originally entered into the QR code generator on the Chromebook was read from a webcam "looking" at the printout, mounted on a board in subdued lighting. Here is a summary of where things stand:
Today's experiments established that:
- ZBar works on Ubuntu 24.04.
- Your webcam successfully reads QR codes containing LynxMotion commands.
- QR-only decoding eliminates the troublesome DataBar warnings.
- A stable image and controlled lighting improve recognition.
- We have a promising method for transferring student programs without requiring any special Chromebook permissions.
Your next experiment with multiline commands will be particularly interesting.
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