How-to access and use the RoboKind Controller Application

RoboKind has now published an application named RoboKind Controller (or RKController) in the Apple AppStore. This is intended for demonstration purposes only, and is only useful for individuals with an active RoboKind R25 robot.

Pre-Requisites:

1. SeeRoboKind Networking Requirements and Security Considerations

2. Your iPad must be connected to the same WiFi network as the robot. (This requirement is specific to RKController and not the Companion App)

Instructions

1. Make note of the IP address of your robot. How-to Show the IP Address of the Robot

2. Using an iPad, install the RKController application from the Apple AppStore

3. IMPORTANT When starting the app, you may be prompted if you wish to find and connect to devices on your local network. The answer is YES. If you are not sure and having trouble, delete and reinstall the app so that this can be selected.

4. On the iPad, ensure that Local Network Access is enabled. (These instructions are for iOS 14.x or later)

   1. On your iOS device's home screen, tap Settings.

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   2. Tap Privacy. Local Network.

   3. Scroll down and look for RoboKind Controller, and then ensure it is allowed access to your network.

5. Verify that the Robot & iPad are connected to the exact same SSID. (Required for RoboKind Controller, but not other RoboKind applications).

6. Allow about 15 seconds for your robot to appear, Select the IP address on the left, and click Connect on the right. CAUTION: The Reset Layout button will clear any previously saved button changes.

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7. In the first two rows of buttons (or all buttons that are in a black font), click a button to have the robot speak the displayed text.

   1. If the robot’s mouth moves but no sound is heard, try adjusting the robot’s volume controls on the back of the robot, and checking for any cords connected to the headphone jack.

   2. For text intended to be spoken just once, use the wide text box at the bottom of the controller and press speak.

   3. TIP: See the Vocal Smileys section for additional text that you can experiment with.

8. Experiment with the other buttons in the list:

   1. The blue buttons will run various animations.

   2. Try the green buttons for Personality mode - on and off.

   3. Try the red Sleep and wake options (in that order) - note that the wake option may turn on personality mode.

   4. The purple buttons will change the color of the robot’s chest badge. (Note that the 00 00 00 button currently does not reset the color)

   5. Check out the orange buttons for expressing happy and sad.

   6. Check out the purple buttons on the next to lowest line!

9. Customizing buttons

   1. You may optionally tap and hold a button to customize the text that will be spoken, or for animations, a new action can be selected.

Troubleshooting robot not available:

• Ensure that the iPad and the robot are on the same SSID:

  • On an iPad go to the settings app, and next to the Wi-Fi category on the left, the SSID should be displayed.

  • An iPad must not be in “Low Data” mode, which is commonly enabled when connecting to hotspots/tethered networks. https://theitbros.com/how-to-turn-off-low-data-mode/

  • On a robot, go to utilities - network - Network Info - WiFi (button in the lower right quadrant of the screen), and the name of the SSID is displayed on the 2nd line of the screen.

  • If the two values do not match, then one device will need to be moved to be on the same network.

  • If both devices are on the same network, then you can attempt a connection by manually typing the robot IP address in the orange box of the Robokind Controller connect screen.

  • RoboKind Networking Requirements and Security Considerations

  • If it still fails, we recommend deleting the RK Controller application on the iPad, and then repeating above steps 2 & 3.

  • If all else fails, the network being utilized most likely has some form of Port Isolation enabled which would prevent direct connection between the devices on the network. This setting is common on guest WiFi networks, but is occasionally also enabled on corporate networks. If the use of this application is critical, discuss with your IT department the possibility of moving both devices to a network that does not have port isolation enabled. See RoboKind Getting Started for Information Technology - STEM & RoboKind Controller for detailed requirements.

Vocal Smileys:

Animal sounds: #BEAR# #BEE# #BIRD# #CAT# #CHICKEN# #COW# #CROW# #DOG# #DONKEY# #DUCK# #ELEPHANT# #FIRE_SIREN# #FROG# #GOAT# #GOOSE# #HORSE# #LION# #MONKEY# #MOUSE# #PIG# #ROOSTER# #SHEEP# #SNAKE# #WOLF#

Emotions: #CRY01# #CRY02# #CRY03# #CRY04# #AARGH01# #AARGH02# #AARGH03# #LAUGH01# #LAUGH02# #LAUGH03#

Vehicles: #AMBULANCE_SIREN# #POLICE_SIREN# #CAR_HORN# #CAR_REVVING# #TRAIN#

Body: #SNEEZE01# #SNEEZE02# #SWALLOW01# #SWALLOW02# #YAWN01# #YAWN02# #COUGH01# #COUGH02# #BREATH01# #BREATH02# #BREATH03# #SLEEP01# #SLEEP02# #THROAT01# #THROAT02# #THROAT03#

Yummy: #MMM01# #MMM02# #MMM03#

Miscellaneous: #CLICK01# #CLICK02# #WHISTLE01# #WHISTLE02#

Enunciation: #t_h# #p_h# #k_h#

Known Issues:

• Animations that involve using the eyes may not always return the eyes back to the center position. This is usually not a hardware issue, and using the “Resume Default Pose” button on the robot will restore eyes to the neutral position.

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