The ev3dev Linux distribution got an update this month. The distribution targets the Lego EV3 which is a CPU Lego provides to drive their Mindstorm robots. The new release includes the most recent kernel and updates from Debian 8.8. It also contains tools needed for some Wi-Fi dongles and other updates.
If you haven’t seen ev3dev before, it is quite simply Linux that boots on the EV3 hardware using an SD card. You don’t have to reflash the computer and if you want to return to stock, just take out the SD card. You can also use ev3dev on a Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone, if you like. There’s a driver framework included for handling sensors, motors, and other items using the file system.
Having a full Linux setup on the EV3 lets you program in Java or Python or any of the other tools you might like from a Linux computer. The video below from [Juan Antonio Breña Moral] is one of several he’s posted using Java, for example.
We briefly touched on ev3dev last year. We know you think of moving robots when you think of an EV3-based Lego build, but you can use them to build automation, as well.
That is so cool! Thinking of all the possibility this will offer.
That’s cool and all but does it run Linu-oh oh it does. ;D
Awaits the doom port……..
I challenged some of my robotics students to this…they have yet to deliver
I’m sure the chocolate doom devs would be most interested in a patch :-)
That is a lot of programming power and a nice upgrade for Mindstorm as well as Beaglebone :) I also like the ease of undoing in that ya just pop the card out to return to stock :)
Wouldn’t be permitted in my kids’ First Lego League competitions, but I’d bet they could make some interesting missions out of the setup if it were…
And now we put Doom on it.