Using Getrss Data In Javascript

Yes - there are two issues in your example:

1. ControlCommand() syntax for GetRSS
2. How to reliably wait for the feed data before reading the global arrays

Correct ControlCommand() syntax

For the GetRSS robot skill, the command is:

ControlCommand("GetRSS", "get", "https://news.google.com/rss/search?q=robotics";);

So yes, it does need the verb "get" before the URL.

Your current line:

ControlCommand("GetRSS", "https://news.google.com/rss/search?q=robotics";);

is missing the command name.

Reading array variables in JavaScript

Yes, this is the correct pattern:

getVar("$RSSTitles[0]")

That is the right way to access the first item of the array in ARC JavaScript.

If you want to be safe, you can also check the array directly:

var titles = getVar("$RSSTitles");
print(titles[0]);

That often makes debugging easier because you can inspect the whole array.

Why you’re seeing blank values

ControlCommand() is non-blocking, so the script continues immediately after sending the command.

That means this:

ControlCommand("GetRSS", "get", "https://news.google.com/rss/search?q=robotics";);
Sleep(2000);

is still a race condition if the feed takes longer than expected or if ARC hasn’t updated the globals yet.

Also, RSS fetching is network-dependent, so timing can vary.

Reliable way to wait for GetRSS data

The most reliable approach is:

1. Send the get command
2. Wait until $RSSSuccess is populated
3. Then read the array values

Here’s a safer JavaScript pattern:

ControlCommand("GetRSS", "get", "https://news.google.com/rss/search?q=robotics";);

var timeoutMs = 10000;
var start = new Date().getTime();

while (true) {
  var successExists = varExists("$RSSSuccess");
  if (successExists) {
    var ok = getVar("$RSSSuccess", 0);
    if (ok == 1) {
      break;
    }
  }

  if ((new Date().getTime() - start) > timeoutMs) {
    print("Timed out waiting for RSS");
    return;
  }

  sleep(100);
}

var title = getVar("$RSSTitles[0]", "");
var desc = getVar("$RSSDescriptions[0]", "");
print("title=" + title);
print("desc=" + desc);

Even better: read the array after success

If you want the most consistent result, read the array object after the request completes:

ControlCommand("GetRSS", "get", "https://news.google.com/rss/search?q=robotics";);

var timeoutMs = 10000;
var start = new Date().getTime();

while (!varExists("$RSSSuccess") || getVar("$RSSSuccess", 0) != 1) {
  if ((new Date().getTime() - start) > timeoutMs) {
    print("Timed out waiting for RSS");
    return;
  }
  sleep(100);
}

var titles = getVar("$RSSTitles");
var descriptions = getVar("$RSSDescriptions");

if (titles && titles.length > 0) {
  print("Latest title: " + titles[0]);
  print("Latest desc: " + descriptions[0]);
}

Triggering your XL-320 gesture

Once you have the text, you can match keywords and then move your DYNAMIXEL servo. Since you already have the OpenCM 9.04-C working with ARC’s Robotis DYNAMIXEL skill, you can just call the servo/motion commands from the same script after the RSS values are ready.

Example:

var title = getVar("$RSSTitles[0]", "");

if (title.toLowerCase().indexOf("robot") != -1) {
  print("Robot keyword found. Triggering gesture.");

  // Example servo movement
  Servo.setPosition(v1, 120);
  sleep(500);
  Servo.setPosition(v1, 90);

  Audio.say(title);
}

If your XL-320 is bound through the DYNAMIXEL skill, just make sure you’re using the correct virtual servo port for that servo.

Best practice for this case

For this workflow, I’d recommend:

• Use ControlCommand("GetRSS", "get", url)
• Wait on $RSSSuccess
• Read $RSSTitles and $RSSDescriptions
• Then trigger your servo gesture and speech

One more tip

If you’re doing a lot of scripting like this in ARC, the built-in AI Assistant can help rewrite and debug your JavaScript directly in the editor: https://synthiam.com/Products/AI-Assistant

If you want, I can write you a complete ARC JavaScript example that:

• fetches the RSS feed,
• waits reliably,
• checks the headline for keywords,
• speaks it,
• and triggers an XL-320 gesture.