Mr Hobbles

The official Lego documentation is unfortunate in that while it describes the wire protocol itself in great detail, it doesn't document the available commands. This makes sense somewhat, as the available commands vary by a) The hub type you're communicating with, and b) The devices plugged into that hub. It's like teaching the someone the syntax of the English language (nouns, verbs, placement, etc) without going into detail about what words are available for use. In your case you're asking about the 0x60 command. The 0x60 command is actually a special command introduced for the Powered UP "Hub No.4". It doesn't exist on the Boost hub. It was actually introduced for the Batmobile model for a couple of special modes available in the app. Byte (9) in your example is how long the motor should run for. Byte (10) activates a swing mode and sets the time. It will run for the time defined in byte (9), reverse direction, and run for the time run in byte (10), before reversing direction back, etc etc. This allows the "backing up"/retreat motion activated by pressing one of the buttons. There is another command for activating motors on the Powered UP hub: [0x08, 0x00, 0x81, 0x39, 0x11, 0x02, 0x20, 0x20] This works on port 0x39, which is a special port "AB" created in firmware when it detects two motors of the same type (Train motor or M motor, NOT Boost motor). The last two bytes set the speed of each individual motor. This command *does* exist on the Boost hub, it is used for controlling vernie, and it's also documented in the Lego documentation. It's probably also useful for controlling locomotives with two motors.

Yep, I messaged @Lok24 outwith this thread, but I think he needs to install the Noble dependencies first: https://github.com/noble/noble#prerequisites

@Lok42 Here's the simplest steps I'd recommend for you: Create a new folder for your project: > mkdir puptest Move into that folder: > cd puptest Initialise a new Node.js project: > npm init -y Install node-poweredup and save it as a dependency of your project: > npm install node-poweredup --save At this point you can now create a new file (maybe call it test.js?) in your project directory - try the sample code. Then run it: > node test.js Now turn on one of your hubs and it should connect and activate the motors as described in the sample. Make sure you have two motors attached to ports A and B. :)

I still don't fully understand this mechanism I'm afraid! On my switches if I flick to straight then start pulling it back, it flicks to curved. Releasing the tension doesn't cause it to go back... EDIT: I just paused your video for a closer look and now I understand! You're not pulling on the lever at all, you're moving the piece of track! Nice! :)

Very nice! How do you get the switches to throw back again? It looks like the string only pulls on one side? Also, have you removed the springs from the switches?

I myself was never interested in NXT/EV3 as TLG got stupid with their motors/sensors. They look like alien appendages rather than Lego elements, and I found hard to integrate into existing MOC's without them looking silly or taking up too much space. RCX on the other hand was ideal, but sadly it was never updated for PF/anything else, so it lays behind as my ideal Mindstorms implementation so far. This is why I was excited to see that Lego intends to use the new Powered UP/Power Functions 2.0 connectors for Mindstorms, as described here: https://education.lego.com/en-us/support/wedo-2/faqs They confirm the new connectors will be used on Mindstorms, but give no timeframe. Fair enough. But this (hopefully) means that all Powered UP/WeDo 2.0/Boost motors and sensors should be usable on future Mindstorms products, and vice versa (Similarly to how we have the Boost motor usable on WeDo 2.0). So, I think Lego does indeed intend to create a "unified future" where Mindstorms, Control+, Boost, Powered UP, WeDo, etc all use the same devices, connectors and protocols. I definitely have my hopes up for the future. The Lego Power Functions 2.0 future. :) This is how Lego describes the WeDo 2.0 hub (The "Smarthub 2 I/O") in the linked FAQ (I've bolded relevant parts):

Great! I'm glad to see that people are getting some use of it. :) As for what's next on it, I have two ongoing features. The first is I plan to split off device (motor, sensor, lights) control into a separate object attached to the hub rather than being methods on the hub. This should allow for a bit of a cleaner interface. The second is Web Bluetooth support. The Web Bluetooth spec is still in its infancy, and is only really supported by Chrome at the moment, and in a very incomplete state, so I've been a bit stuck on this for a while. But thanks to LEGO's release of the Wireless Protocol a few weeks back, I may have just discovered a way to get the info I need from the hub without relying on the missing Web Bluetooth features. The main advantage of this is that it should allow the library to be used directly in the browser, without a server, on both desktop and mobile. Powered UP device control just by visiting a website in your browser! :)

Thank you - it's been a while since I looked at the WeDo SDK, good find! I'll pop it into my library too. :)

On my MacBook Pro I've connected to 3x Boost Move Hubs, 5x Powered UP Hubs, 2x WeDo 2.0 Smart Hubs, 1x Duplo Train Base, and 4x Powered UP Remotes, all at the same time, and run some color cycling code to sequence the LED's in sync. That's 15 hubs. Unfortunately I can't help on what adapter it is, as it's the one built into the MacBook Pro. It's a 15 inch late 2013 model.

They already have. :) https://lego.github.io/lego-ble-wireless-protocol-docs/ Check the train forum, people have created many apps. I personally, have been working on this: https://github.com/nathankellenicki/node-poweredup I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the Liebherr for this precise reason!

Yes, it's a toy. A toy is designed for play. LEGO's name, "leg godt", to play well, signifies this. But what do you consider "play"? Is play: 1. The assembling of the model? The joy of the construction? 1a. It is free play? Building what you want out of what you have? 1b. Is it following the instructions in order to assemble the intended model? 2. Is it playing with the model in a thematic setting, ie. a 5 year old playing cops and robbers with their Lego city set? Or holding a tea party with your Friends set? 3. Is it playing with the final technical features? The gearbox of a Technic model? The trap door of an Indiana Jones play set? The pneumatics of a crane? 4. Is it designing and constructing a realistic 100% accurate architectural marvel? 5. Is it playing in LEGO Digital Designer and never touching a physical brick? (I do this a lot!) 5. Is it programming a robot with LEGO Mindstorms? 6. Or is it something to just marvel at in awe for the enjoyment of it? I'd argue all of these are play. The way we play is not dictated by anyone, it is all in our imagination. Further, I'd argue that the value of the toy does not dictate its purpose. A $2.4 million Bugatti Veyron may go faster than a $30,000 Ford Fiesta, but it is still a car, and will get you from A to B. A $50 coat will keep you just as warm as a $1,000 Louis Vuitton coat, and may look nicer (or maybe not! Depending on personal preference.), but it is still a coat. That's not to say that one wont have more value to some people than others (ie. a person might have a need for a supercar if they participate in track days), but they are the same thing. So yes, in my opinion, a Lego set is still a toy, whether $500 or $5. One might have more play features than the other, or offer up more opportunity for play than other, but yep, still a toy. :) I personally will get great pleasure from playing with 42100! In all ways. Building it, looking at it, controlling it from my phone, and coding for it using my laptop. EDIT: This thread reminds me of The LEGO Movie. :) "Dad, it's a toy...!" "Son, it's a highly sophisticated interlocking brick system." "But we bought it at the toy store!"

I would agree, I don't see much reason for Lego to release a 4 port version for train enthusiasts. What I do see them doing is suggesting that we use two 2 port hubs in our trains and updating the Powered UP software to support this combination, such as allowing reversing of motor polarity, etc.

No problem, and thanks. :)

Hi, could you post this as an issue on the GitHub repo please? (I’m the creator of that project). Just so we don’t spam this forum with support requests for other software. :)

Fun fact - The Powered UP hub's internal device name is "HUB NO.4" and the 2018 bluetooth Duplo Train Base has "HUB NO.5" printed on the bottom of it. Also, on the Lego replacement parts website the Powered UP train controller is called "HANDSET NO.2". I'm expecting even more over time! EDIT: In my own curiosity I looked up the Boost move hub on the Lego replacement parts website, and it's known as the "HUB MOTOR NO.1"

It’s already been confirmed in another thread, by someone who actually held the hub in their hands at the event, that it is not the Boost move hub. It has 4x external ports (no internal motors) and is powered by 6xAA (not AAA) batteries, similarly to the current technic battery box. No internal motors. It also is roughly the same shape and size as the EV3 brick.

Yep, you just described the Duplo train base, but as you say, I think it's unlikely they'll do it for this, as they're reusing the hub for multiple models.

Ah yes, I didn't realise that the current Power Functions Technic battery pack uses 6x AA batteries. So that makes sense. :) Re. Speaker, yep, only stored sounds on the Duplo train, but I wonder how feasible it is to send short audio clips over the BLE connection. For example the WeDo 2.0 hub has an inbuilt piezo buzzer you can send tones to. (Not a full blown speaker though). Yes I know, I'm still wishful thinking. :)

Thanks! Do I understand that the hubs be connected together physically then, like with a wire? Glad to hear the motors are not integrated. :) That makes me breathe a sigh of relief.

Thanks for the details on the hub! So, does it it look more like the Technic battery box or the PF system/Powered UP battery box? And do I read correctly that you're saying it has built in motors? How many ports does it have for plugging in more motors?

Interesting. The Boost Move hub in a Technic appropriate shape would be quite disappointing. If two of the ports are integrated motors, then that makes life difficult, especially if the LIEBHERR R 9800 uses two of them. Where did you read about the tilt sensor? Also - the Duplo train hub has an inbuilt speaker, so it's not unprecedented for there to be an inbuilt speaker. :) But I agree, it's more likely in this scenario it comes from the app. EDIT: One of the guys in the Technic subforum had hands on with the hub today. No integrated motors, four ports for motors. As you say, similar size (if a bit smaller) than the EV3 brick. Makes me wonder what all that space is going to...

So at the Toy Fair today Lego has announced a new Technic LIEBHERR R 9800 excavator set containing a new app controlled system called "TECHNIC Control+", and including "7 motors and 2 smart hubs". My thoughts: 1. Probably an extension of Power Functions 2.0 (WeDo 2.0/Boost/Powered UP/Duplo trains) 2. 7 motors and 2 smart hubs = A new 4 port smart hub? This could be the Boost move hub, but I think it's more likely they've created a new one with four external ports and made it more "Technic'y" as opposed to "System'y" like the Boost hub. 3. "Data feedback". Interesting. Are the motors tacho motors (Like the Boost motor) that report angle rotation? Not quite sure what they mean by this yet. 4. They mention "real life sounds". While I'm holding out a little hope that the new smart hub has an inbuilt speaker, I think it's more likely it comes out of the smartphone with the app. 3. That's gonna need a LOT of batteries! EDIT: Apparently there is also a Technic "Extreme 4x4" containing two motors, a servo motor, and a hub. So a new motor! :D

The Boost Hub, PUP Hub, and PUP Remote all report both. It provides both voltage and battery level as a percentage. Its not exposed what algorithm they use to calculate the percentage but I’ll assume this is the number they use to display the battery level in the official apps.

Ah good, glad you found something! I am still trawling through that document and adding support for various features to my library. :) I do wish it was more detailed into the various commands that can be sent to the various attached devices. While it does a pretty good job of detailing the protocol, it mentions very little about sensor modes and message parsing, special motor control modes (ie. swing mode), etc.

Very very cool! Super detailed for a 6-wide, I love it. Do you have some more pictures of the bogey and motor design?