LEGO SPIKE Firmware Testing Rig

by CEEOInnovations in Workshop > Science

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LEGO SPIKE Firmware Testing Rig

SPIKE Firmware Testing Rig (1).png

With the implementation of the new LEGO SPIKE firmware, it is necessary to run tests on motors and sensors to ensure that the new firmware on your hub has been properly installed. This instructable walks you through the process of building a test rig and running code on a hub to check its functionality.

Supplies

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All required parts pictured above! (To see all parts, click the "More Images" button)


Build the Rig

After gathering the necessary parts, follow the instructions below to build the rig!

Important Notes:

  1. The SPIKE is designed to be removeable from the rig so you can easily test multiple SPIKE PRIMEs as necessary; the only pieces actually connected to the SPIKE are all of the motors and the sensors (via cords) and also the mounting system for the color sensor and the light matrix.
  2. The color slide (The three bricks in front of the color sensor can contain any 3 color bricks as you wish)

Test the Hub!

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SPIKE Test Rig -- Motor Lock (2).png
SPIKE Test Rig -- Motor Lock (1).png
SPIKE Test Rig -- Motor Lock.png

Navigate to this pyscript page to run tests. Follow prompts on the screen.


Important Notes:

  1. PARALLEL MOTOR LOCK: When the code asks you to "release the lock" or "engage the lock" it is describing the mechanism that keeps the two linear gear racks together (Image 1).
  2. When running the parallel motor tests, the lock must be engaged as the two motors are meant to move the entire rig (Image 2).
  3. However, when the independent motor test runs, the lock must be released to enable the tracks to be separated (Image 3). This way each motor can run independently for the test.
  4. One of the tests is named "Gyroscope (TBD)" -- Gyroscope To Be Determined. Currently, the software only tests the tap feature of the hub's IMU. The other LEGO SPIKE IMU data is not collected and analyzed. In a future version of the testing software, a test of the IMU's gyroscope feature may be implemented. For now, this test may be ignored.
  5. Color slides: The arrangement of three 2x4 technic bricks in front of the color sensor. These can consist of any of the colored bricks provided in the LEGO SPIKE kit. In my build, the slide is green, blue, red.


Below is a video that depicts the whole setup running with a completed rig. That's it! Happy tinkering.