Microsoft's MakeCode for the EV3

[BlueBillCanada]

Hello, I searched the site for MakeCode but came up empty.

Has anyone used Microsoft's MakeCode with an EV3?

It's an online programming editor similar to Scratch plus Javascript.

The highlight for me is EV3 emulation including EV3 peripherals. This appears to be what brick firmware version 1.10E added.

Anyone else tried this? Comments?

Edited March 26, 2019 by BlueBillCanada
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[Hasaf]

I was not aware of it. I teach robotics at a middle school and use the EV3; so I would be very interested in it. I would appreciate it if you would send me a link.

[BlueBillCanada]

Sure, here's the link. I found out about it by accident while downloading the EV3 1.10E firmware.

I've attached an image of the homepage, MakeCode supports a handful of different devices. 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/makecode

[dr_spock]

Thank you for bringing it up. 

I bookmarked it a while ago but never really got around to trying it out and forgot to add it our index.

This takes you directly to the Mindstorms:   https://makecode.mindstorms.com/

 

[MLuijken]

Hello "BlueBill" e.a !

I think the makecode environment for EV3 is absolutely fantastic and exactly what I have been looking for my 9 yr old son.

This is because the standard coding environment is not very intuitive for youngsters (He does not want to learn it and is completely addicted to Scratch)

Although Scratch also has the ability to communicate with EV3, there are hardly any sensors and its extremely limited in its possibilities.

Makecode has all the sensors with a very comprehensive environment, the emulator and ability to switch to text Javascript is just what he needs to get to the next level.

Unfortunately I have been unable to upload any code to our EV3 brick through USB ( its the only way!)

I have gone through it all, latest firmware v1.10e, cables are fine, installed device manager etc....

On both my two laptops (windows 10 and  7) the EV3 not showing up in windows explorer as separate drive 

I think it has something to do with the RNDIS protocol, refer: http://www.monobrick.dk/guides/firmware-guides/setting-up-a-usb-connection-for-use-with-monobrick-firmware/

Also according to this link https://www.ev3dev.org/docs/tutorials/connecting-to-the-internet-via-usb/ EV3 is supposed to show up as "Remote NDIS Compatible Device"

NDIS protocol this is missing on both my laptops and have not been able to install a driver that works, I suspect I need a windows update/fix.

Also found another link with the same problem https://forums.usfirst.org/forum/general-discussions/first-programs/first-lego-league/the-challenge/programming-ab/85807-ev3-makecode-brick-no-longer-connects-via-usb

It seems that EV3 users have not yet woken up to the fact that this COULD be(COME) a great alternative to the Mindstorms standard because there is almost nothing when surfing the net.

I hope somebody is able to point me in the right direction because I really would like this to work for him

Thanks!

Michiel

[BlueBillCanada]

Hello Michiel

On my Windows 10 Pro PC (Intel NUC) with all the latest updates 1809 the brick shows up as an external drive. But on my Microsoft Surface GO it does not...

Edit: I noticed a device under Universal Serial Bus controllers had a problem, I right clicked and searched for an update and low and behold it now shows up as a drive. 

Edit 2: Did a fresh Windows 10 Home install and the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 teachers edition software and the drive letter shows up properly no issues or additional drivers were required.

I don't see why any Ethernet over USB would be required but something is amiss. I'll see what I can find and post here.

I've never had to install an RNDIS driver (nor does RNDIS show up in my networking section)

Note: I install and uninstall all sorts of software on my Windows machines and once in a while things get so screwed up I just reinstall Windows.

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It seems that EV3 users have not yet woken up to the fact that this COULD be(COME) a great alternative to the Mindstorms standard because there is almost nothing when surfing the net.

Agreed, MakeCode is an excellent alternative to LEGO's LabView for people getting started with EV3 programming. It appears to be lacking brick to brick communications but perhaps that can be fixed with an extension. Hardcore programmers will more likely be interested in the official LEGO Python that was recently released.

PS: Dear LEGO. Please update your OSX EV3 software to x64 else OSX won't run it in the near future.

Edited April 27, 2019 by BlueBillCanada
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