Connect to an EZB by the name using the WiFi broadcast feature.
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Hardware InfoHow to add the EZB Connect By Name 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 General category tab.
- Press the EZB Connect By Name 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 EZB Connect By Name robot skill.
How to use the EZB Connect By Name robot skill
The EZB robot controllers created by EZ-Robot have WiFi capability. Each EZB can be named to describe its use or placement within a robot. When the EZBs are powered, connect to WiFi, and obtain an IP Address, they will broadcast that information. This robot skill allows you to connect to an EZB by the name rather than IP.
When a new EZB is detected by its broadcast, it will be displayed in the log window.
Multiple EZBs
Some advanced robots will have multiple WiFi EZB controllers. In this case, various ways exist to connect the EZBs on a network. We have a great document that explains multiple WiFi EZBs here: https://synthiam.com/Support/Tips-to-Make-a-Robot/Multiple-EZ-B-over-WiFiConnecting
Connecting to EZBs by their name is done using the ControlCommand supported by this robot skill. View the list of ControlCommand when editing an Init script to connect to an EZB by the device name.
The ControlCommand syntax accepts the index and EZB device name. The index is related to the EZB index within the Connection control, which starts at 0 (zero).
@DJ SuresThis is great, except for one problem. If you have multiple EZ-B devices that are the same type (EZ-Bs or EZ-B IoTiny), all of them will have the same name, so you still can’t determine which is which. You can’t go by the IP since it will always change. And since ARC can support up to 132 EZ-B devices, this would be a serious problem when you get lots of devices. I think the Connect By Name skill name needs to include the serial number, or show the broadcast name of the device (which can be set via the WEB interface and be made unique).
@Jsale, So what I'm understanding is that you have gone into the EZB's web interface and changed it's broadcast's name and the Connect By Name skill is not picking up that change?
Yea Dave, it seems the Connect By Name uses the default name, and not the broadcast name. My WIFI shows the broadcast name, so I know I got it changed. DJ Sures is close with this, but still needs work, in my opinion.