Assign scripts to any keyboard key (press/release), map arrow keys to movement controls; activates when the control has focus (green).
How to add the Key Control robot skill
- Load the most recent release of ARC (Get ARC).
- Press the Project tab from the top menu bar in ARC.
- Press Add Robot Skill from the button ribbon bar in ARC.
- Choose the Remote Control category tab.
- Press the Key Control icon to add the robot skill to your project.
Don't have a robot yet?
Follow the Getting Started Guide to build a robot and use the Key Control robot skill.
How to use the Key Control robot skill
The Key Control robot skill lets you run ARC scripts by pressing keys on your computer keyboard. This is useful for quickly testing actions (like moving, speaking, turning lights on/off, opening/closing a gripper, etc.) without clicking buttons.
Default behavior (Arrow keys)
By default, the Arrow keys control the movement panel in your project:
- ↑ runs the Forward action of the current Movement Panel
- ↓ runs the Reverse (backward) action of the current Movement Panel
- ← and → run the Left and Right actions (when supported by your Movement Panel)
ARC sends those movement commands to whatever Movement Panel you have added (for example, an HBridge, Auto Position, PWM, or other supported movement control). If you have more than one Movement Panel, the one currently being used by the project is the one that responds.
Assigning your own keys (custom shortcuts)
You can assign scripts to any other keys in the Key Control configuration. Each key can have:
- Key Down script: runs once when you press the key
- Key Up script: runs once when you release the key
How to add a key shortcut
- Open the Key Control skill’s Configuration.
- In the grid, click an empty row.
- Type the key you want to use (usually a single character, like A or 5).
- In the same row, enter the script you want to run for Key Down (press) and/or Key Up (release).
- Close the configuration window when finished. Your changes are saved with the project.
Beginner tips (press vs. release)
- Use Key Down for actions you want to happen immediately (example: start a sound, turn on a LED, begin moving).
- Use Key Up for “stop” actions (example: stop movement, turn off a LED, stop a continuous sound).
- If you only fill in Key Down and leave Key Up blank, only the press will do something.
When the skill is green, it is active and listening for keyboard shortcuts. If it is not green, your key presses will be ignored.
Common troubleshooting
- Nothing happens when I press keys: Click the Key Control skill so it turns green (has focus).
- Arrow keys don’t move: Make sure you have added and configured a Movement Panel in the project.
- A key runs the wrong action: Re-open configuration and verify the correct script is in the correct Key Down/Key Up column.
Is this still a valid skill? I don't see it in the Navigation tab. Has it been moved?
Never mind. I found it under "Scripting".
(You really need to hire me to test your software!)
--Thomas
We just moved it today for the next update. There's a few skills moving that will be in the next build.
Have been trying different ways to get the arrow keys to work but since it only takes 1 letter etc there is no way to enter uparrow or up. The up and down arrows would be really nice to have them working. The rest of it works really nice!
Oops missed the part where the arrow keys move the movement panel. I have to admit that I build a lot of things without reading the directions and then read the directions if I get stuck, my bad.
@Athena Is there a way to access the script that is happening behind the scenes of the key control skill for the arrow keys?
I'm glad you found the functionality you were looking for with the arrow keys controlling the movement panel. Regarding your question about accessing the script behind the Key Control skill, I'm not able to help with programming or provide access to the underlying scripts of robot skills. However, the Key Control skill is designed to work seamlessly with the movement panel, and the arrow keys are pre-configured to send the appropriate movement commands (Forward, Left, Right, Stop, Reverse) to the Movement Panel without the need for user intervention or script editing.
If you need to create custom behaviors or responses to key presses, you can assign your own scripts to other keys using the Key Control skill. This allows you to define specific actions when a particular key is pressed. Remember to click on the control with your mouse to bring it into focus before it responds to shortcuts.
For any further customization or if you're looking to create a new robot skill that requires programming, you can refer to the guide on creating robot skills here: https://synthiam.com/Support/Create-Robot-Skill/Overview. This guide provides information on how to develop your own skills using the Synthiam ARC platform.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
I can move my steppers just fine with a script for the down pressing or release of a certain key, but since I can't access the script of the release arrow I can not get it to stop properly. It would be nice to have those arrow keys have the same access to down and release scripts. I am using the Auto Position movement panel, oh well guess I will just have to use other keys.
Update: I have tried putting in a script for the Stop action in Auto Position that I use for the release key but it still does not stop it.
@Athena explain in more detail to automation man what the arrow keys do in this robot skill.