INFO

Information

Overview of Java setup(this will only have to be done once for each computer).

  1. Download and install the Java SDK
  2. Download and install a development environment(I recommend JCreator LE)
  3. Download the sample code
  4. Compile and run

Download and install the Java SDK(Windows)
Go to http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp, and follow the links for JDK 5.0. Download and follow the installation instructions. There is also documentation available, but this is not necessary. Write down the installation path for the software. On my machine the path is c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_05, and this is the path that I will use for examples.

Download and install JCreator(Windows)
Go to http://www.jcreator.com/download.htm, and download JCreator 3.5 LE. You will have to provide an e-mail address to get to the actual download page. If you have concerns about this, conctact me, and we'll work out some other way to get the software. Write down the installation path. The software will also ask for the path to the JDK, which is what you recorded in the previous step. On my machine, JCreator installed to c:\Program Files\Xinox Software\JCreatorV3LE, and this is the path that I will use for examples.

Download the sample code
At this point, you're almost ready to roll. Now, download the sample code here. When you decompress this file, you will have a Robosapien folder that has subfolders classes and src. Copy the Robosapien folder to (assuming you installed JCreator here): c:\Program Files\Xinox Software\ JCreatorV3LE\MyProjects. Now, when you look in JCreatorV3LE\MyProjects, you should see a Robosapien folder the subfolders classes and src. Now fire up JCreator

Compiling and running the code
When JCreator is open, go to "File"->"Open Workspace". In the MyProjects folder go to Robosapien, and you should see a file called "Robosapien.jcw". Open this file. The workspace will open, and you will see tabs for three files: Robosapien.java, TestApp.java, and Sample2.java. Robosapien.java contains support code that I've written to communicate with the Robosapien. You won't need to modify this code, but you can examine it to get a better idea of what's going on. TestApp and Sample2 are the sample programs that I've prepared. These files should give you a basic idea of how programming the Robosapien will work.

To run the code, first go to "Build"->"Compile Project". This will take a few moments as the Java is compiled. Now, you are ready to run the code. Make sure that your robot is powered up and the Bluetooth connection is setup. Click the tab corresponding to the file you want to execute(I recommend TestApp) and then go to "Build"->"Execute File". This will run the program, and communicate with your robot. ("Build"->"Execute Project" will run the project default class. You can change this in the "Project"->"Project Properties" windows.)

If you ran the TestApp, you will be presented with a text console and several options. Hit the number corresponding to the option that you want and hit Enter. If you ran Sample2, the robot will just burp, and then the program will exit.

If you are having problems, make sure that you have configured and opened the Bluetooth connection. E-mail me if you have any other problems. I have never had any issues with connectivity after the Bluetooth connection is established.