MSX controlled LEGO robot

On this year's LEGO World 2016 event in Utrecht MRC user Whizzy found an MSX controlled mindstorms robot.

The robot was able to draw your name on paper based on input from the screen; The program, as told by the authors, was written in basic and controlled the LEGO robot through the parallel port.

An SONY hb-f500d or hb-f700d was used to run the program.

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By ToriHino

Paladin (855)

23-10-2016, 16:38

Quote:

An SONY hb-f500d or hb-f700d was used to run the program.

Why? Is a 500p or 700p not more logical, given it's a dutch program?

By meits

Scribe (6542)

23-10-2016, 19:10

It's not a 500 since there's not a third cartridge slot on the back.

By Lord_Zett

Paladin (807)

23-10-2016, 20:58

nice. lot of msx ppl like lego. remembering a dude from nbno

By wolf_

Ambassador_ (10109)

23-10-2016, 21:01

Lord_Zett wrote:

nice. lot of msx ppl like lego. remembering a dude from nbno

Yea, that's Maico, with his great ball contraptions. Must've cost a fortune!

By Whizzy

Master (213)

23-10-2016, 22:03

ToriHino wrote:

Quote:

An SONY hb-f500d or hb-f700d was used to run the program.

Why? Is a 500p or 700p not more logical, given it's a dutch program?

I couldn't see it, I have a F700D myself, and his one looked like it, and wasn't aware of any language differences

By Manuel

Ascended (19462)

23-10-2016, 22:50

D is the German version Whizzy. And Maico Arts is also present on the Lego World fair.

Anyway, the font on the screen does not show it's a D-version, so it's probably a P version.

I'll check it out soon

By Wolverine_nl

Paragon (1160)

24-10-2016, 14:04

the zero's look different indeed Manuel, should be a P version.
Very cool, I remember on the Hans Otten website there were a few examples to use your printer-port to send out signals for movement in general. Here

By Lord_Zett

Paladin (807)

24-10-2016, 17:23

Wolverine_nl wrote:

i use the printerport for some projects to to control stuff.
Like https://youtu.be/_EM9pHelsuM

By Manuel

Ascended (19462)

24-10-2016, 20:59

It's definitely a Sony HB-F700P:

(seems it has a low serial number too!)

I also made pics of the guy who programmed it:

and some more pics of the setup:

I asked the guy whether he would join the MSX fair in Nijmegen in January, but the thought it wasn't interesting enough for the fair. Well, perhaps he'd at least visit.

I also asked him why he used the MSX. He told me that his brother worked on the parallel port interface from a book a very long time ago. And he just recently finished it and then needed him to use it. They chose Lego, as they're very big Lego fans. He had to program it of course. He said he found it a bit hard, as there is no copy paste and such :) He did use MRC to get some info about MSX-BASIC.

Nearby our ex-MSX-NBNO guy Maico Arts was running a very cool Lego setup: The Great Ball Contraption:

By JurgenKrooshoop

Supporter (1)

24-10-2016, 21:47

Hi guys,
Thanks for posting my creation on this website.
This robot, called the"Plot=O-Brick" was created by me (Jurgen) and my brother Remco Krooshoop.
We're using a Sony HB-F700P MSX 2 and a self made interface with transistors and relays to send power to the Lego-motors. The 8-bit signal coming from the parallel-port of the MSX controlls the switching of the relays. The software was written by myself in MSX Basic.

By Manuel

Ascended (19462)

24-10-2016, 22:35

Good to see you posting here, Jurgen! And please do not hesitate to demonstrate this on the MSX Fair in Nijmegen in January! I can assure you it's nothing out of the ordinary!

By NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6067)

25-10-2016, 17:42

I've made a simple library for MSX-BASIC that you can use to control up to 8 servos simultaneously in 8bit resolution (256 steps). No need for transistors, resistors, IC's, relays or anything like that... Only some sort of power supply for the servos + cable to connect to MSX printer port. Stupid example here

To use this library you need MSX capable of running 50Hz display. (PAL MSX1 / MSX2 or better) Latest version has also support for R800 CPU. I will send the library to anyone who likes to try it, just mail me.

Fair warning: Please avoid attaching servo motors to heavy metal stuff. Controlling fast & powerful servos may cause damage to your house or other belongings... as well as your ears if you happen to have a wife.

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