Sequence of order in VPL

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Summary:

Can Thymio be programmed with VPL to follow a sequence of orders by pushing only 1 button?

Sequence of order in VPL

Tito Yepes 12 May 2014 08:28

Hello everybody,

My 6years old son and I are playing with Thymio. (I studied two years of engineering, mostly programming). With the VPL we already do the basic follow orders, light up colors, and so on.

However, there is something important I cannot get the VPL software to do. To me one of the most important concepts about programming is the efficiency that comes with algorithms. It requires getting bored with asking a machine to follow a long list of orders. For example Lego's Mindstorm can be programmed visually to move forward 3 steps, then right 45 degrees, then forward 10 steps, and so on. Once the person has provided several orders as to achieve a mission, then they can develop natural skills to make those procedures more efficient like using sensors and state variables.

The point is that it will be great if VPL can allow for example a sequence of orders. Say to get to the kitchen from the living room Thymio needs to move forward 2 meters, then turn right 90degrees, and then move forward 1 meter.

Is that possible? Bear in mind this is a 6y.o. so he is only starting to read. Thank you for any help.

Regards,

Tito

Re: Sequence of order in VPL

cbarraud 12 May 2014 08:40

Hello

The problem in your case is that you'd like to use variables (like 2 meters, 90 degrees and so on) but in VPL, this is not possible. You could make a step in this direction using the timer event and cumulating it with the advanced mode (did you try that?). In this advanced mode, you can set up states which allows to program different behaviours regarding the state Thymio is in.

This sequentiel view is not really compatible with Thymio in fact. This robot is event-based whereas something that do: go straight for 1 meter, then turn, go straight for 2 meters is a sequential view. This doesn't use at all a concept that we would like to keep in mind, the sensori-motor loop. This loop means that the sensors get a measurement, then the robot adapts its behaviour regarding to this measurement and then it takes another measurement, etc. This is completely forgotten in the "Mindstorm way". Without this loop, the robot has no idea what surrounds its and has no idea if it did what it was told.

But if you want to approach this kind of behaviour, I think you should look at the Advanced mode of VPL (in the end of the VPL tutorial, you can find more details)