Introduction: Your Guide to Installing the RoboHeart Arduino Library
RoboHeart Hercules is an ESP32-based development board that comes with an open source Arduino Library! This is a step-by-step guide to getting started with programming your RoboHeart.
Supplies
- RoboHeart Hercules
- USB-C cable
- Arduino IDE (Click HERE for Software & Downloads.)
Step 1: Installing RoboHeart Hercules Board
- Install ESP32 Arduino as described in the Espressif page. Follow the section “Installing using Arduino IDE” to get started: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/arduino-esp32/en/latest/installing.html
- If you already have the ESP32 installed previously. Make sure you have the version 2.0.7 as we have our RoboHeart Hercules board included in this release.
Step 2: Download the RoboHeart Library Via Library Manager (Option 1)
- Click on the Shortcut to Library Manager as highlighted in the image.
- Search for the Roboheart Library and click Install.
Step 3: Download the RoboHeart Library Via GitHub (Option 2)
Download the Roboheart Arduino library using the Git Manager, or through the Download.zip option on GitHub.
https://github.com/Augmented-Robotics/roboheart-arduino-library
The Default Arduino Library Path
Place the folder, or unpack it in the default Arduino library path:
C:\Users\<Your_Username>\Documents\Arduino\libraries\ # For Windows users
/home/<Your_Username>/Arduino/libraries/ # For Ubuntu users
Step 4: Install Dependancy Libraries
Install the MPU6050_light Library.
Step 5: Restart Arduino
Close and open your Arduino IDE.
Step 6: Spot the Example RoboHeart Code
You should be able to see the RoboHeart folder, along with examples (as shown in the picture).
Step 7: Choose From Board Manager
Assuming that you have already installed the ESP32 core for Arduino. Click on the "Select Board" option as highlighted.
- Search for RoboHeart and you should be able to see the RoboHeart Hercules board.
- You shoul also choose the appropriate PORT. Connect RoboHeart to your PC and check which port it is connected to in the control panel.
- Control Panel-> Hardware and Sound-> Devices and Printers-> Device Manager-> Click on Ports to see the COM port number. Here it is COM1:
Step 8: Running Example Code
Run an example code on your RoboHeart hardware. Choose any example from File -> Examples-> RoboHeart-> “RoboHeartLED”
Step 9: Compile, Flash and Serial Monitor
- Compile the code by pressing the check mark button on the top left corner of Arduino (highlighted in the image). In case of errors, resolve them and recompile the code.
- Flash the code by pressing the button with the right arrow, which is next to the compile button (highlighted in the image).
- To see the Serial Monitor Output, click on the button at the top right corner (highlighted in the image).
Step 10: Build Away!
Now that you know how to get started, check out the several examples on our GitHub repository and use your skills to build (nearly) anything you can imagine!