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Guide on Using the AlphaMini, an Intelligent Robot

Learn How to Programme Using the AlphaMini

Mobile App Programming (Block Coding)

Function Introduction

You can program the AlphaMini robot because the mobile app (that accompanies it) has a block coding interface. The programming function is developed based on the Google Blockly programming software. Just drag blocks with your finger in your mobile devices, then press the play icon.

Operation Guide

To access the block coding interface, press “Workspace” in the “Playground” interface.

You will access the coding interface: the list of available programming blocks is on the left, the coding interface is in the center and the program start button at the bottom right, colored blue.

 

To start coding, drag blocks from the left “code classes” into the "coding area ”, then click “Execution” button to run the program. You can review your program in “My Works” after saving it.​

This video will guide you on how to code Alphamini to use Vision AI to detect an apple and react to it.

Mobile Pose-Record-Play (PRP) Programming (Creating Actions)

Function Introduction

PRP (Pose-record-play) is designed, recorded and played by using the programming principles of industrial robots. It is very simple to create entirely new, custom actions just by adjusting robot joints.​

Operation Guide

1. Click on the "Create Actions" icon.

2. Press the center to start adding actions.

3. Select the body part to move. Then physically move the body part e.g. the head.

4. Then click on the blue Add icon.

5. Repeat Steps 3 -4 until you are done with all the actions. Then click on the pink Play icon. 

6. The robot will start to move according to the actions you programmed.

uCode Programming

What is it?

uCode is a graphical building block programming tool developed for children ages 7-14 (primarily for grades 3-8) to receive education in robotics, children programming, and AI. Anyone can use uCode to code, even adult beginners.

With uCode, you can create fun games and animations using codeless graphical blocks. You can learn programming logic and strengthen the foundation of programming thinking and language required for AI learning through simple and fun block building.

How to use it?

1. Download the uCode software in your PC. Ensure your PC and the AlphaMini are connected with same WiFi network e.g. you can use your mobile hotspot.
 
2.Open the uCode software on your PC, click the “Connect” button on the upper right, then select the device as "AlphaMini" and input the last 4 numbers of the Mini serial number. Click “Connect” to control AlphaMini programming by uCode.
button 
3. Once you have connected to the AlphaMini, you can then start to code while on the Stage mode (on the top right), test the programme and then transfer the codes to the Burning mode for the programme to be downloaded to the AlphaMini.
4. Once you are done programming, you can click the "Disconnect" button on the uCode connection interface to disconnect your robot.