fischertechnik ROBOTICS TXT Smart Home Installation and operation manual

Begleitheft
Activity booklet
Manual d‘accompagnement
Begeleidend boekje
Cuaderno adjunto
Folheto
Libretto di istruzioni
Сопроводительная инструкция
附带说明书

Welcome to the fischertechnik World of ROBOTICS 4
About this Activity Booklet 5
Introduction 6
Digitization 6
Internet of Things 7
Smart Home 7
Industry 4.0 8
Some General Information 10
Electricity 10
Component Explanations 10
Software ROBO Pro 4.4.x 11
ROBOTICS TXT Controller 11
Power Supply 12
First Steps 13
Starting ROBO Pro 14
Light with brightness sensor 16
Photo Resistor 16
LED 16
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Comfort Sensor 23
Frost Monitor 24
Mold Monitor 25
Air Quality Sensor 25
Stationary Camera with Environmental Sensor – Data Logging 27
Barometer 35
Sensor Station with Movable Camera 37
Surveillance Camera 37
Cloud Computing 43
Trouble Shooting 49
Interface Test 49
Cables and Wiring 49
Short Circuits 50
Errors in the Program 50
Last Sources for Help 50

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Welcome to the fischertechnik World of ROBOTICS
Hello!
With this product “ROBOTICS TXT Smart Home”
or “Robotics Sensor Station IoT” you can solve
fascinating problems under the motto Smart
Home, Digitization and Internet of Things.
Read this digital booklet and complete the individual
projects, to learn step-by-step how you can program
simple as well as complicated controls for Smart Home
projects using the ROBOTICS TXT Controller from fischertechnik.
Learning is a process of building things up from a foundation and it
is not possible to start with the most difficult things right away, even
though they may be a little bit more interesting than the more simple
tasks. This is why we have structured the projects in this booklet so that
you learn something different with every new task and can then use this
as the basis for the next task.
Your team from

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About this Activity Booklet
This PDF activity booklet has a number of functions, which are not present in the
printed booklet and which may already be familiar to you from the Internet.
Links within the Booklet
▯ Links within the Booklet
When something is mentioned somewhere in the text, which is
explained in more detail at another point in this booklet (for example,
components), the text appears in dark blue and underlined. You
can click on the text to go automatically to the page containing the
explanation. This is a so-called "cross reference”.
▯ Background Infos
In some cases in this booklet, there are terms or foreign words, which
may require explanation. These terms are displayed in green and
underlined. If you touch the text with the mouse pointer, a window
appears with an explanation.

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Introduction
Before starting with the models and your programming,
I would like to entice you with a small preview of these
interesting projects. This also includes a glimpse into the
new control-related features with their specific technical
names, to be precise, what do we mean by “Smart Home”,
Internet of Things”, “Digitization” and “Industry 4.0”
Digitization
If you check the Internet for the term “Digitization” you will find that the
term and the associated technology are actually not all that new. For
example, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz invented the first “computing
machine” in the 17th century. Another milestone in digitization was
Joseph-Marie Jacquard’s loom controlled by punched cards (1805).
What does digitization mean? Technically speaking it is the
conversion of analog data, such as 100 m, 30 seconds, into
digital data, consisting exclusively of a series of zeros and
ones. The analog number 10, is represented in digital
form by the character string 1010. However, digitization is
also a means of storing and processing data without using
paper. This was initially accomplished by using electron
tubes, later transistors and, since approx. 1970 using
microprocessors, which are still in use today; naturally in an
advanced form.
Can you find any examples of digitization in your surroundings? Do you
still read printed books, or do you already have a digital “E-book”? Do you
listen to digital radio programs? What about your music CDs, or your
computer games? You receive voice messages on your smart phone. A
(digital) computer voice reads you the text. The navigation system (GPS)
in the car also determines the position of the vehicle with the aid of
Reconstruction of a
computing machine
designed by Leipnitz in
the 17th century
Internet of Things
Smart Home
Digitization
Industry 4.0

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digital radio signals, which are then used by a computer to calculate the
route to your destination and display it on the GPS screen.
Internet of Things
This is certainly a term you will encounter often in the next few years.
But what does the term “Internet of Things” actually mean?
This is primarily about information society technologies, which allow
global networking (using computers around the world) of real or virtual
objects in such a manner that they can work together and exchange
information with one another
You can find examples of this theme on the Internet.
Here, for example, is a description of how a package is identified
automatically, allowing the receiver to follow the current status of the
shipment.
An intelligent refrigerator is also an interesting example. The user simply
enters or reads in a bar code or QR code specifying the content as
well as the quantity of a product. When the quantity drops below the
specified value, the refrigerator software reminds the user to replenish
the product or does it itself automatically.
Smart Home
You may ask why we have
named the new ROBOTICS
TXT construction set Smart
Home? If you look at the
models, you can see the
reason. All of them deal
with the subject of “Efficient
Living”. Today it is possible
to network all of your
household equipment (e.g.
lamps, heating system) or household appliances such as the range or
washing machine so that they can be monitored and controlled from one
central point. An intelligent heating system can, for example, determine
the temperatures in various rooms in your house in relation to the outdoor
temperature and use this information to control the heating system.

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Industry 4.0
We frequently call this the fourth industrial revolution. Although many
people have probably never heard of this term, we have been living with
it for some time now.
▯It all began at the end of the 18th century with the steam engine. This
invention laid the cornerstone for the first industrial revolution.
▯At the beginning of the 19th century, electricity was instrumental in
introducing industrial mass production. This was the beginning of
Industry 2.0.
▯Industry 2.0 was superseded by Conrad Zuse’s invention – the first
computer, called Z1. Introduction of “electronic data processing”
heralded in the era of the 3rd industrial revolution.
▯Industry 4.0 was first presented as a concept at the Trade Exhibition
in 2011 in Hannover, Germany.
Industry 4.0 will change particularly job design in the areas of
organization of work, mechanization of work and personalization of
work.
Today these 3 factors have already been implemented in the digital
factory.
Here is a minor example from the printing sector. A customer wants to
make a photo album of her last vacation. For this purpose she first edits
the (digital) photographic data on her PC. Then she opens an Internet
site for an online print shop, where she selects the proper link, such as
Photo Album. Then a program opens allowing the customer to select
all the desired design features. For example, the paper, the background
color and much more. This program is provided for the user in a cloud.
After entering all the data, a layout is created using the data entered
and the price is calculated. When the customer confirms the order, it
is processed digitally. This means, the appropriate paper and printing
ink are selected and sent to the printing press to complete the order.
After printing the pages as well as the back and cover sheet, they are
automatically sent on to the binding machine where they are bound.
A small robot transfers the finished album to the packaging station.
Here the album is automatically packed, marked with the shipping

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address and placed in a storage location for shipment. After reaching
the shipping department, it is automatically sent to the proper shipping
agent.
The first human the album comes into contact with is the driver of the
package van as he delivers it to the customer.
But how much longer? Even today we are attempting to use use
driverless transport systems or drones for logistic support. Will these
soon take over delivery too?

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Some General Information
Before we really get started with the construction set, you still need to
know a few things. Even though the components we will work with are
very robust, if you do not handle them properly, they can be damaged
under certain circumstances.
After you have unpacked all the building blocks, it is necessary to first
assemble a few components such as cables and plugs before you can
really get started. Details are given in the assembly instructions under
"Assembly Tips." It is best to do this first.
Electricity
As you certainly know, a lot of the components in the ROBOTICS TXT
Smart Home Set use electric power. And you know it is necessary to
be particularly careful not to make any mistakes when working with
electrical components. That is why you should always read the assembly
instructions very carefully when wiring the electrical components.
Never connect the positive and negative poles directly to one another to
prevent a short-circuit. This can damage the ROBOTICS TXT Controller
or the rechargeable battery.
Component Explanations
The construction set contains all of the following
First, it contains numerous fischertechnik building blocks, as well as
motors, indicator lights and sensors and colored assembly instructions
for building various models.
Actuators
Actuators are all components, which can perform some type of action.
This means that they become "active" in some way when they are
connected to electric power. In most cases you can see this directly. A
motor runs, an indicator light illuminates and so forth.

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Sensors
Sensors are so to speak the counterpart to the actuators Actuators.
This is because they do not perform any actions, but react to certain
situations and events. For example, a pushbutton reacts when pressed,
allowing an electric current to flow or interrupting its flow. A heat sensor
reacts to the temperature in its surroundings.
I will provide you with an explanation of the individual actuators and
sensors in the project, when they are used for the first time.
Software ROBO Pro 4.4.x
ROBO Pro is a graphic programming interface for creating programs for
the ROBOTICS TXT Controller.
A "graphic programming interface" allows you to compile programs
visually with the aid of graphic symbols instead of "writing" them out by
hand line for line. An example of such a program is shown at the left.
The procedure for creating such a program is described in detail in the
Chapter "First Steps". The ROBOProHelp feature also shows how this
works in Chapters 3 and 4.
The current software is already installed on your PC.
ROBOTICS TXT Controller
The ROBOTICS TXT Controller is the heart of this ROBOTICS
construction set. It controls the actuators, and evaluates the
information from the sensors.
For this purpose the ROBOTICS TXT Controller has numerous
terminals for connection to the components. The instruction manual
for the ROBOTICS TXT Controller describes which components can be
connected to which connections and the functions of the connections.
The color touch screen allows convenient operation of your ROBOTICS
TXT Controller. The camera contained in the construction set can be
connected to the USB host port (USB-1). The integrated Bluetooth and
WLAN interface is a particularly interesting special feature. It allows you
to complete a wireless link between your PC and the ROBOTICS TXT
Controller or between several controllers.

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You can define how the controller interacts with the individual
components and what they are to do in detail in the program you write
with the ROBO Pro Software .
Power Supply
As you know, many of the components in the ROBOTICS TXT
SmartHome Set need electricity to operate, so naturally you also need a
power supply for the TXT Controller.
The fischertechnik power pack is best suited for this.
It is not included in the construction set.
A Few Tips
Experimenting makes the most fun when the experiments also work.
This is why you should follow a few basic rules when building the
models.
Work carefully
Take your time and look precisely at the assembly instructions for the
model. Looking for an error later will take much longer.
Check the movement of all parts
When putting models together continually check to see if parts, which
have to move, move easily.
Using Interface Test
Before starting to write a program for a model, you should test all parts
connected to the ROBOTICS TXT Controller, using the interface test
feature in ROBO Pro. How this works is described in the ROBO Pro Help
in Chapter 2.4.

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First Steps
Now that you have made all of the prepara-
tions and read the information, you can finally
start working.
This chapter describes how to:
▯build the first simple model, a light with
brightness sensor, and connect it to the
ROBOTICS TXT Controller,
▯connect the ROBOTICS TXT Controller to the power supply and PC,
▯create and start your first simple program with ROBO Pro
Since you will be working particularly with the ROBO Pro Software
in addition to the fischertechnik components themselves, you should
be familiar with the details for writing programs. And because this is
explained very clearly in ROBOProHelp Chapters 3 and 4, it is best at
this point to continue by working through these chapters carefully.
Our tip also applies here: Take your time and concentrate; then you will
have much more fun with the models later.

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Starting ROBO Pro
Start the ROBO Pro program. The following working display appears.
To create a new program, click on the “New” button with the mouse.
ROBO Pro then switches over to the programming mode. You can tell
this, because the program monitor displays a dot matrix.
New

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To save a program click on the “Save” button with the mouse.
ROBO Pro automatically switches to Explorer and displays your
computer’s table of contents. Here you can select a folder, such as “ft
programs” for example. Enter a “file name” to remind yourself what it is,
for example “brightness sensor”.
Use the “Open” button to open an existing file. When you click on the
button, the program goes to the Explorer on your computer. Here you
can select the file you want to load.
It is most practical to check whether the TXT Controller is properly
connected to your computer, each time, before starting to work. To do
this perform an “Interface Test”. To do this, click on the "Interface Test"
button. The following info window appears:
Here all important interface data is displayed virtually. If, for example,
you have connected a pushbutton (input) which you then push, the
switching status is displayed with a check mark. The “Output” window
indicates if you have switched on a motor or light. More information is
available at ROBOProHelp.
Example programs: Complete example programs are available in ROBO
Pro for every model in the TXT SmartHome construction set These are
saved under:
C:\Program files(x86)\ROBOPro\Sample Programs\ TXT Smart Home\
Save
Open
Interface Test

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Light with brightness sensor
The first model you built according the
assembly instructions, serves to control an
outdoor light depending on the ambient
brightness.
To program this, use programming level 1
for your first program.
Photo Resistor
Use a photo resistor for the sensor.
A photo resistor is an electronic component, whose electrical resistance
changes when it is exposed to light. In many descriptions you will also
find the designation LDR. This is an abbreviation for “Light Dependent
Resistor”.
LED
Use an LED light as an actuator.
An LED is an electronic component, which converts electrical energy to
light. The abbreviation LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode”.
Important: The photo resistor has a resistance value of 0–5000 Ohms.
The interface display indicates a value of 0 at full brightness and 15000
in complete darkness. For your project it will be necessary for you to
experiment a little bit with the figures and intermediate values.
ft building block
Photo resistor
Circuit symbol
ft building block
LED
AK
Circuit symbol

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Project 1
As soon as it becomes dark, the lights should turn on. It will be
necessary for you to find the threshold value experimentally.
Start the program with the “Green walk light”. First you need a program
command to “Branch analog”ROBO Pro Help 8.1.4 which checks the
resistance of the photo resistor. Drag this to the work screen and drop it
below the “Green walk light”.
Information on “drag and drop” and “docking” is given in ROBO Pro Help
3.3 and 3.4.
You will find that this command has 2 outputs. Y for Yes
and N for No You can ask a simple question here.
If the value at input I1 is “> greater than 0“ then branch
to Y, otherwise to N. Since your program continually
checks the resistance value of the photo resistor, the N
output is connected to the input.
First it will be necessary for you to set the type of sensor
connected for the branching operation. For this purpose
click on the command with the “right mouse button”. The context menu
for the branching operation appears. Use the mouse to click on the
“Down Arrow” button for “NTC resistor”. Another context menu appears,
in which you can select “Photo resistor”
Then insert the program command “Motor output”
ROBO Pro Help 8.1.6 in to your program. Since you
want all of the lamps to come on, it will be necessary for
you to insert this command 3 times.
Here it is also necessary for you to make a few changes.
Click on the command with the right mouse button. A
context menu opens for setting various parameters.
It is necessary to switch over from “Motor” to “Lamp”.
In the action field click on the circle in front of “On”.
This causes the light to switch on when the previous
condition is met (Y). It is also necessary for you to specify the lamp
connections, M1 – M3.
Analog Branch
Motor Output

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The changes are shown in your program.
Expand your program again with “Branch analog”
and 3 motor outputs.
In the context menu for the motor output, change
the parameters to “Lamp” and “Off”. Change the
motor connections to M1 – M3.
Connect the output from M3 to Input I1 (loop)
Before testing the program for the first time, it
is necessary to change a parameter for the two
branches. Click on the button with the right mouse
button. The “Branch” context menu appears.
Make the entry in the “Conditions” field.
Two windows are available here. Help is
available at ROBO Pro Help under 8.1.4.
After opening the context menu, you can
select the appropriate conditions.
Select “>4000” as the “threshold value“ for the first check (LED on) and
<3000 as the threshold value for the second check (LED off).
Then you can test the program.
To do this click on the “Start“ button. ROBO Pro Help 3.7.
Since the program is in an endless loop, it is necessary to stop it with the
“Stop all programs in progress” button.
Does the program work? If so, save the program on your computer. Use
a name you can easily remember.
Finished Program: Lighting_1.rpp
greater than
greater than or equal to
equal to
less than or equal to
less than
not equal to
Start program in
online mode
Save

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Little additional assignment:
Experiment a little bit with the parameters for the threshold values.
When does the LED switch on, when does it switch off.
So, we got that finished. Are you ready for your second lighting project
now? Again, I will be right here to help you.
Project 2
The outdoor lighting is changed so that the lights switch on one
after another as it becomes increasingly darker until all three
lights are illuminated when it is completely dark.
We will complete this project together.
In this project you will have to poll the sensor at I1 six times, to get the
three lamps to switch on and off at the values supplied by the photo
resistor.
What happens in this program sequence? First the sensor value is
checked for lamp M1. If the value is “Yes”, the program goes to lamp 1
and switches it on. The program then continues by checking the value
for the second light via the output for M1. If this value also corresponds
to the check, the second light is also switched on. This also applies for
the third light.
Let’s look at the three N outputs for the first three checks. If three
values are negative, i.e. N, the program branches to the three checks
for switching off the lights. If the values here also correspond to the
values for switching off the lights, the program switches off the light in

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question. At output “N” the program returns to the starting point and
restarts the switching operations.
Does the program work? OK, save it on your computer.
Finished Program: Lighting_2.rpp
Noise sensor
You can build the second model
as described in the assembly in-
structions and wire it accordingly.
Use Level 3 in ROBO Pro for pro-
gramming. This provides you with
significantly more commands for
programming.
Actually in this project you only need to replace
the photo resistor with the camera, because the required sensor is
already in the camera housing.
The microphone, installed on a circuit board in the housing, serves as
the sensor.
Microphone
The microphone used in your camera is an acoustic
(sound) converter for converting acoustic vibrations in the
air into electrical voltage. The variations in this voltage
can be measured and processed. The unit of measure for
sound is “Decibels”.
You can find further information on the corresponding page
in Wikipedia. Here you can find out about the various designs and
functions.
Microphone
Circuit symbol