Getting Started

myStudio

Burn & Update Firmware

myStudio is a one-stop platform for robots of myCobot. Supporting Windows, Mac, and linux, it is convenient for users to choose different firmware and download it according to their own usage scenarios, and learn relevant textbooks and videos.

Please download different PC, BASIC firmware and Atom firmware depending on your development environment.

Installing myStudio

myStudio downloading address, GitHub: https://github.com/elephantrobotics/myStudio

Select the latest version (The version shown on the web page should prevail. The following figure just for reference only.)

Then select the version corresponding to the system.

Notice: Different suffixes are for different systems.

• .tra.xz for Linux system
• .dmg for Mac system
• .exe for window system

Install driver

According to the operating system used, click the button below to download the corresponding CP210X or CP34X driver zip file. After decompressing the file, select and install the installation package corresponding to the operating system.

There are currently two driver chip versions, CP210X (applicable to CP2104 version) / CP34X (applicable to CH9102 version) driver package. If you are not sure which USB chip your device is using, you can install both drivers at the same time. (During the installation of CH9102_VCP_SER_MacOS, an error may be reported, however, the installation has been done, and the error can be ignored.)

For Mac OS, ensure correct settings of the system Preferred settings -> Security and privacy ->General before installation, and allow users to get it from App Store or an approved developer.

Download the Basic serial port driver CP210X

• Windows10
• MacOS
• Linux

Serial port driver CP34X

• Windows10
• MacOS

Download the Atom serial port driver

• Windows10

How to distinguish between CP210X and CP34X

As shown in the figure below, open the device manager and check port (COM and LPT). If the port (COM and LPT) shows USB-Enhanced-SERIAL CH9102, the chip is CP34X.

If the port (COM and LPT) shows Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge, the chip is CP210X.

Burning Basic and Atom firmwares

The way for connecting Basic with PC is shown in the figure below.

First connect the Basic development board with USB, and then the connection window of myStudio will display the connected development board. Select it and Clik on "Connect" .

Then there are Basic-related firmwares in Basic and Tool. Click to burn. (For the firmwares that haven't been downloaded, click "download" first.)

Burning Atom firmware

The same as Basic firmware burning, first connect Atom at the end with USB.

Select ATOM in the Board bar, click Basic at the side column, then the ATOM firmware will appear. There is only one Atom firmware. Just click to burn it.

Factory Firmware

1. Robot drag teaching
   

Robot drag teaching: The operator can drag robot joints directly to make them do ideal postures, and then save the actions in the robot through button operation. The cobot is a system that has this function earlier. This kind of teaching avoids various disadvantages of traditional teaching, so it is a prospective technology for robot applications.

Operation methods vary among device types. They have the approximate steps below:

• Burn the latest version of atomMain for Atom, and the minirobot for Basic. Choose the Maincontrol function (It is unnecessary to burn Basic for micro-CPU devices).
• Press the recording button/keyboard key
• Select a storage path (micro-CPU devices haven't this step)
• Directly drag the joints of the robot arm to move them to your desired positions to complete a set of movements
• Press the designated button/keyboard key for saving
• Press the play button/keyboard key/keyboard key
• Select a corresponding storage path, and then the robot arm starts to move
• And finally press the exit button/keyboard key to exit this function

2. Robot arm calibration
   

Calibrating the robot arm is the precondition for precise control of the robot arm, and setting joint zero and initializing the potential of the motor are basic jobs for subsequent advanced development.

Operation methods vary among equipment types. They have the approximate steps below:

• Burn the latest version of atomMain for Atom, and the minirobot for Basic.
• Choose the Calibration function (It is unnecessary to burn Basic for micro-CPU devices)
• Move all joints of the robot arm to their zero positions (align them with the scale line of zero positions)
• Press the calibration button and get started with robot arm calibration
• Press the test button to test the zero positions
• Press the exit button to exit this function

3. Communication forwarding
   

Communication timeliness is vital to the micro-controller robot arm. For such arm, we often send control instructions to Basic of the base. Through communication forwarding, the end effector analyzes the instructions and then implements target actions.

This function is mainly used for the customer to develop robot arms independently in different environments.

Operation methods vary among equipment types. They have the approximate steps below:

• Burn the latest version of atomMain for Atom, and the minirobot for Basic.
• Choose the Transponder function (It is unnecessary to burn Basic for micro-CPU devices)
• Press the detection key to detect whether the communication between Basic and the end effector Atom is normal
• Press the exit button to exit this function.

4. Connection detection
   

Connection detection is a detection function that uses the motor in the robot arm and the connection state of Atom. The function allows the user to remove equipment faults easily.

During the connection detection, the connection state of the equipment for the robot arm, including the connection of the servo and the communication state of Atom can be seen. In micro-controller devices, the versions of their current firmwares are shown on Basic.

Operation methods vary among equipment types. They have the approximate steps below:

• Burn the latest version of atomMain for Atom, and the minirobot for Basic.
• Choose the Information function (It is unnecessary to burn Basic for micro-CPU devices)
• Press the detection key to detect the connection of the devices
• Press the firmware view key to check the version of the current firmware
• Press the exit button to exit this function.

Use for the first time

1.Items included in Raspberry Pi robotic arm standard kit

• Raspberry Pi robotic arm
• Product catalog
• Power supply
• USB-Type C
• Jumper
• M4×35, cup head hexagon socket, full thread, stainless steel screw
• Allen wrench

2.Confirming the operational environment and indexes

Install the robot system in the environment that meets the conditions described in the table in order to give full play to and maintain the performance of this machine and to use it safely.

3.Connection

Connect the power adapter

Connect the computer

4.Power Supply

The power for the robotic arm must be supplied by an external power supply to provide it with sufficient power:

• Rated voltage: 7-9V
• Rated current: 3-5A
• Plug type: DC 5.5mm x 2.1

Note: Don't supply power only using TypeC inserted into Basic.

Use the power supply officially provided to avoid damage to the robotic arm.

5.Fix robotic arm

During the movement of the robotic arm, if the bottom surface of it is not connected to the table top or other surfaces, it will shake or overturn. The common way to fix the robotic arm is to fix it on a base with LEGO interface by using a LEGO inserting key. Two types of bases are provided: flat base and G-shape base.

Flat Base

• Install the suction cups on the four corners of the base and tighten them.
• Fix the bottom of the robot arm into the flat base using accessory Lego connectors.
• Fix the four suction cups to an even and smooth surface before use.

Tip: A small amount of non-conductive liquid can be added under the suction cups to fill the gap between them and the surface so as to maximize absorption efficiency.

G-shape Base

• Fix the base on the edge of the table with G-shape clips.
• Fix the bottom of the robot arm into the base using accessory Lego connectors.
• Start to use after making sure it's stable