Yes i agree, would be nice if LEGO offers its on "Real Controller", maybe in addition to App solution. It would be even more nicer if we have the choice between Technic Hubs based on BLE, or 2Ghz.
The positive things:
You must not use the phone screen to control it for a number of reasons:
1. You can use applications like "Brickcontroller" to use nearly any Bluetooth Game controller you like as shown here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4fTGnBA6M0
2. LEGO has published their Wireless specification a while ago here: https://lego.github.io/lego-ble-wireless-protocol-docs/
As a result it is up to us to Create: Apps, running on Tablets or phone, classic desktop Applikations on Apple, Windows based, LINUX ...
Creating our own Bluetooth remote controls, by using any casing you like.
I have just started a number of small projects:
a) I will strip a given RC Controller , former used by an RC car, i will keep Buttons and handles but replace the electronics.
I will use LED Buttons, potentiometer for steering and throttle and connect all an Microcontrollerboard that supports BLE.
I wil start with nrf52840 feather express Board from Adafruit, others are, ESP32, Ardoino nano 33 BLE, RASberry PI and many more
b) Other Idea: The Brickcontroller app akts as a Sofwarebridge between an GameController and the LEGO Hub.
In my case i will use my Board acting as a hardware bridge between an Ordinary RC controller and the LEGO HUB.
The reveiver of the RC System is connected to my Board. My Board reveives and computes Control information from the Reveiver channels and translates them by using the commands taken from the LEGO BLE spec.
Advantage is, that it woks without any changes on the hardware of RX system or LEGO hub.
Simplest forrm of an BLE Handheld Controller for the LEGO HUB, based on: https://github.com/corneliusmunz/legoino
Take a ESP32 based affordable development board of our choice
Setup your Ardoino or Plattform.io environment
Add a pair of simple jostick gibles, Buttons, LED, what you like
Have fun
Happy new year, Marc
The app has a calibration function, but sometimes you need something to make small manul corrections,too
In addtion i miss a dual rate function to lmit the steering angle, becauseaccording to the noise comming from the steering, it seems that t sometimes hits the machanical endpoints.
Yes i agree, would be nice if LEGO offers its on "Real Controller", maybe in addition to App solution. It would be even more nicer if we have the choice between Technic Hubs based on BLE, or 2Ghz. The positive things: You must not use the phone screen to control it for a number of reasons: 1. You can use applications like "Brickcontroller" to use nearly any Bluetooth Game controller you like as shown here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4fTGnBA6M0 2. LEGO has published their Wireless specification a while ago here: https://lego.github.io/lego-ble-wireless-protocol-docs/ As a result it is up to us to Create: Apps, running on Tablets or phone, classic desktop Applikations on Apple, Windows based, LINUX ... Creating our own Bluetooth remote controls, by using any casing you like. I have just started a number of small projects: a) I will strip a given RC Controller , former used by an RC car, i will keep Buttons and handles but replace the electronics. I will use LED Buttons, potentiometer for steering and throttle and connect all an Microcontrollerboard that supports BLE. I wil start with nrf52840 feather express Board from Adafruit, others are, ESP32, Ardoino nano 33 BLE, RASberry PI and many more b) Other Idea: The Brickcontroller app akts as a Sofwarebridge between an GameController and the LEGO Hub. In my case i will use my Board acting as a hardware bridge between an Ordinary RC controller and the LEGO HUB. The reveiver of the RC System is connected to my Board. My Board reveives and computes Control information from the Reveiver channels and translates them by using the commands taken from the LEGO BLE spec. Advantage is, that it woks without any changes on the hardware of RX system or LEGO hub. Simplest forrm of an BLE Handheld Controller for the LEGO HUB, based on: https://github.com/corneliusmunz/legoino Take a ESP32 based affordable development board of our choice Setup your Ardoino or Plattform.io environment Add a pair of simple jostick gibles, Buttons, LED, what you like Have fun Happy new year, Marc The app has a calibration function, but sometimes you need something to make small manul corrections,too In addtion i miss a dual rate function to lmit the steering angle, becauseaccording to the noise comming from the steering, it seems that t sometimes hits the machanical endpoints.