Powered UP Train Automation Experiments

[dr_spock]

Playing around with the Powered UP app, multiple hubs, motors, and color sensor.  Trying out stuff I may or may not use for our upcoming train shows.

 

Using color sensor to detect color while moving and perform an action based on the color.
The faster you go, the longer the color strip is needed to be detected by the app.

 

Using the color sensor to detect distance while moving to avoid a collision.
You can't go too fast, have to allow adequate time for distance detection. It is also sensitive to the color of the train in front. It likes to crash into black since it is not too reflective.

 

Using color sensor to spot cars at the exact spot to take a dump.
Have to go slowly like in real life. Every now and then it misses the mark. Gonna have to send the operator to alcohol/drug testing. 

 

 

[doug72]

Nice dumper,

How are the cars coupled so they can rotate in the dumper, magnetic or other .

I will stick with PF and mechanical solutions as no intention of using PU

[dr_spock]

13 minutes ago, Doug72 said:

Nice dumper,

How are the cars coupled so they can rotate in the dumper, magnetic or other .

I will stick with PF and mechanical solutions as no intention of using PU

Thanks.  The cars use the standard LEGO magnet couplers.  The couplers are located at the center of rotation so they pivot around each other,  one advantage of LEGO using magnets for couplers.  You don't have to make rotating coupler boxes.

I have lots of PF too.  Our LUG train guys are going PU in a big way.

[doug72]

3 hours ago, dr_spock said:

Thanks.  The cars use the standard LEGO magnet couplers.  The couplers are located at the center of rotation so they pivot around each other,  one advantage of LEGO using magnets for couplers.  You don't have to make rotating coupler boxes.

I have lots of PF too.  Our LUG train guys are going PU in a big way.

I used a z28 turntable beween the ball car & the train unit, for my through rotary dumper with Akiyuki reversers at each End.

[dr_spock]

Some more toying around.

Colour sensor locomotive throttle.  Who said push trains aren't fun? 

Color sensor mounting point in train base plate of the locomotive throttle.

 

When we run several trains closely spaced on the same track at events, I don't like taking my eyes off the train to look at the PU App screen.  I could use the PU remote but the PU App may be needed for special programmed controls like 2 PF train motors in the same engine.  Using the tilt sensor in the smart device seems to work as an alternative physical control.

A 3D printer is quite useful for inexpensive custom adapters when you are too broke after acquiring all those PF train motors to replace them with PU train motors. 

 

[zephyr1934]

On 3/9/2020 at 11:04 PM, dr_spock said:

Colour sensor locomotive throttle.  Who said push trains aren't fun? 

Great idea (and a potential solution to letting the public run trains at a show without letting them go too fast, or reverse, or whatever you don't want them to do)

BTW, is that a centipede in the most recent videos?

[Paperinik77pk]

Great stuff!!! Interesting and fun!!!

[dr_spock]

On 3/12/2020 at 10:07 AM, zephyr1934 said:

Great idea (and a potential solution to letting the public run trains at a show without letting them go too fast, or reverse, or whatever you don't want them to do)

BTW, is that a centipede in the most recent videos?

Thanks.  With COVID-19, I am thinking of switching that PU color sensor to distance detection mode for the speed control like the closer the person is to the sensor, the faster it goes. It'll be no touching my LEGO.  Although, our LUG events are cancelling. 

Yes, that is a Baldwin Centipede locomotive.  Good train spotting. 

On 3/12/2020 at 5:08 PM, Paperinik77pk said:

Great stuff!!! Interesting and fun!!!

Thanks.