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Robot Challenge: LEGO® Education SPIKETM Prime Overview

Coach Series

Comparison with EV3 and Robot Inventor

Disclaimer: This private training is provided by the North Texas Region and is not affiliated or operated by the LEGO® Group or by FIRST ®. The LEGO Group® and FIRST® are not responsible for any of its activities.

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SPIKE™ Prime Hub

  • SPIKE™ Prime compared to EV3.
  • SPIKE™ Prime compared to Robot Inventor.
  • Installing software and Hub Operating System (OS).

Gadget 2021

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SPIKE™ Prime Hub

LEFT SIDE

RIGHT SIDE

FRONT

A

C

E

B

D

F

BOTTOM

Speaker

TOP

USB Connector

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SPIKE™ Prime compared to EV3

  • Six universal ports that support either sensors or motors.
  • Gyro sensor is built into the Hub.
  • Approximately five seconds to power on.

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  • Four motor only ports and four sensor only ports. (8 total ports)
  • Gyro is an independent sensor requiring a port.
  • Approximately 30 seconds to power on.

SPIKE™ Prime Hub

EV3 Brick

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Medium Motor Comparison

  • Maximum efficiency rating:
  • Torque: 3.5 Ncm
  • Speed: 135 RPM +/- 15%
  • Current Consumptions 280 mA +/- 15%
  • Cable length:�250 mm (fixed)
  • Voltage Range:�Min: 5V, Max 9V

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Performance data is based on a� 7.2V power supply.

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  • Torque: 8 Ncm
  • Speed: 240-250 RPM
  • Removable cable
  • Stall torque 12 Ncm

https://www.philohome.com/motors/motorcomp.htm

SPIKE™ Prime Medium Motor

EV3 Medium Motor

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Large Motor Comparison

  • Maximum efficiency rating:
  • Torque: 8 Ncm
  • Speed: 135 RPM +/- 15%
  • Current Consumptions 430 mA +/- 15%
  • Cable length:�250 mm (fixed)
  • Voltage Range:�Min: 5V, Max 9V
  • Torque: 20 Ncm
  • Speed: 160-170 RPM
  • Removable cable

SPIKE™ Prime Large Motor

EV3 Large Motor

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Color Sensor Comparison

  • Color sensing (RGB, Hue Saturation Value (HSV), and LEGO® colors)
  • Reflectivity sensing (for line following)
  • The sensor has a Technic build geometry that allows for versatile building and easy integration into models
  • Ambient light sensing
  • Emission of white�light

Distinguishes between seven different colors:

    • Black, blue, green, yellow, red, white and brown and no-color
  • Reflectivity sensing (for line following)
  • Ambient light sensing

SPIKE™ Prime Color Sensor

EV3 Color Sensor

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SPIKE™ Prime Force Sensor

Sensor sample rate 100 Hz

Sensor input Touch sensing:

  • Activation zone: 0-2 mm
  • Threshold point is defined in firmware 1 mm +/- 0.5 mm
  • Activation force: 0.5-1.0 newton +/- 10%
    • Sensor output is binary (1=activated or 0=not activated)

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Tap sensing:

  • Activation zone: 0-2 mm
  • Threshold point is defined in firmware 1 mm +/- 0.5 mm
  • Activation force: 0.5-1.0 newton +/- 10%
  • Sensor data output: 0-3
  • Applicable to the following:
    • Single tap
    • Quick tap
    • Press and hold

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Force sensing:

  • Activation zone: 2-8 mm
  • Activation force: 2.5-10 newtons
  • Sensor output resolution: 0.1 newton steps
    • Sensor output is limited to a fixed max output value: 10 newtons
  • Sensor output accuracy: +/- 0.65 newton

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Force-filter sensing (high speed “peak” sensing):

  • Like the force sensing mode
  • Internal sensor sample rate: 1kHz
  • Keeps the maximum value�until reset by the Hub�firmware or powered� down

SPIKE Prime Force Sensor

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EV3 Touch Sensor

Three States:

  • Released
  • Pressed
  • Bumped (Pressed and released)

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  • Able to count single and multiple presses.
  • Auto-ID is built into the EV3 software

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EV3 Touch Sensor

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SPIKE™ Prime Distance Sensor

  • Sensor sample rate: 100 Hz (with ultrasonic function)

Sensor input:

  • Distance sensing:
    • Range total: 50-2000 mm +/- 20 mm
    • Entrance angle: +/- 35 degrees (varies according to the distance)
    • Sensor output resolution: 1 mm
  • Fast Distance sensing:
    • Range total: 50-300 mm +/- 15 mm
    • Entrance angle: +/- 35 degrees (varies according to the distance)
    • Sensor output resolution: 1 mm

LED output:

    • Color: white 4000K
    • Controlled individually (4 segment LEDs in total)
    • Output power: controllable from 0-100% in increments of 1%

SPIKE™ Distance Sensor

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EV3 Ultrasonic Sensor

  • Measures distances between one and 250 cm (one to 100 in.).
  • Accurate to +/- 1 cm (+/- 0.394 in.).
  • Front illumination is constant while emitting and blinks while listening.
  • Returns True if other ultrasonic sound is recognized.
  • Auto-ID is built into the EV3 Software.

EV3 Ultrasonic Sensor

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Sensors permitted in FLL-C®

SPIKE™ Prime

  • 6 axis gyro and accelerometer Built into the Hub
  • Force sensor (senses 0-10N)
  • Color sensor
  • Distance sensor
  • Medium or Large motors (4)

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EV3

  • Separate Gyro sensor
  • Touch sensor (pressed, bumped or released)
  • Color sensor
  • Ultrasonic sensor
  • Medium or Large motors (4)

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Programming Languages

SPIKE™ Prime

  • Word blocks, Scratch-based programming.
  • Micro-Python (Text based) is part of the application.

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EV3

  • Block based, EV-3G/EV-3 Lab (National Instruments LabView like).
  • Scratch-based EV3 Classroom
  • Micro Python (Requires MicroSD Card).
  • Other non-LEGO® support languages such as Java, C++.

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SPIKE™ Prime Software Advantages

  • SPIKE™ Prime software is the same across platforms.
  • Programs are stored in numbered slots (0-19) allowing the user to order programs numerically and find them easier.
  • Variable Monitor displays data for variable for easier troubleshooting.

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  • Motors have built-in stall detection.
    • Keeps the program from stopping when a command cannot be completed.
  • Movement blocks support centimeters and inches in addition to degrees, rotations, and seconds.

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SPIKE™ Prime Block Programming Concessions

  • My Blocks are only available in the project created in.
    • However, can be copied and pasted into other projects.
  • No outputs from My Blocks.
    • Work around using variables.
  • Program fails to download with very large programs.
    • Software provides a warning when the limit is reached.
  • No file reading or writing.
  • Battery must be connected to the hub to charge.
    • Cannot have spare batteries charging without an extra Hub.
  • Fixed wire length on motors and sensors.

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SPIKE™ Prime Gyro Limitations

  • Cannot access the gyro rate or accelerometer in Scratch, only in MicroPython.
  • Gyro inaccuracies:
  • Rotating the hub 360 degrees does not produce a gyro reading of 360.
  • The difference varies from hub to hub.
  • The reading error is impacted by the complexity of other running code.
  • Suggested workaround: Do gyro readings less frequently and have minimum code running at the same time.

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SPIKE™ Prime software available at:

https://education.lego.com/en-us/downloads/spike-app/software

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Updating the Hub operating system (Firmware update)

  • When a SPIKE™ Prime Hub is connected to a computer, the app verifies that it is compatible with the HubOS version. If not, a message in the upper right side of the app indicates an Operating System (OS) update is available. This is also known as a firmware update.
  • The system will give you the choice to Dismiss or Update.

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  • If Update is selected, a progress bar displays and after a few moments the Hub will power on and the update will be complete.
  • Updating the hub’s operating system won’t clear out any saved projects.

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Resetting the Hub to Factory Settings

  • You can reset the hub to factory settings in the app.
  • Connect your hub, either by USB or Bluetooth.
  • Select the connected Hub icon at the top left of the programming canvas.
  • Select the three dots on the right-hand side of the screen.
  • Select Reset Settings.
  • A progress bar displays and after a few moments the Hub will cycle off and on and will be returned to factory settings.

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SPIKE™ Prime and Robot Inventor Comparison

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SPIKE™ Prime and Robot Inventor Comparison

  • 523 parts
  • Caster wheel
  • 949 parts: Additional wheels, frames, and panels
  • New differential gear

Differential gear

Caster Wheel

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SPIKE™ Prime and Robot Inventor Comparison

  • 6 universal ports
  • Powered-up cables
  • 5X5 LED Matrix
  • Yellow Brick
  • Bluetooth and USB
  • Sensors: Distance (1), Color (1), Force (1), built-in 6 axis gyro and accelerometer
  • Distance Sensor with break-out interface
  • Motors: 2 medium; 1 large (light azure)
  • Storage Box

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  • 6 universal ports
  • Powered-up cables
  • 5X5 LED Matrix
  • Teal Brick
  • Bluetooth and USB
  • Sensors: Distance (1), Color (1), built-in 6 axis gyro and accelerometer
  • Distance Sensor with break-out interface
  • Motors: 4 medium (light grey)
  • No Storage Box

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SPIKE™ Prime and Robot Inventor Comparison

  • Word Blocks and Python
  • Programming Canvas - Light Background
  • No remote control
  • No custom blocks for models
  • Extensions to add more blocks
  • Word Blocks and Python
  • Programming Canvas - Black background
  • Remote Control application
  • Custom Blocks for main models
  • Extensions to add more blocks

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SPIKE™ Prime and Robot Inventor Comparison

  • The MINDSTORMS® Hub supports the SPIKE™ Prime large motor.
  • MINDSTORMS® motors/sensors can be used on a SPIKE™ Prime Hub.
  • Either firmware can run on the SPIKE™ Prime Hub or MINDSTORMS® Hub.
  • The extension of a SPIKE™ Prime Program can be change and will open in the MINDSTORMS® App.

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Robot Inventor permitted for FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge since the 2020 RePLAY season

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Everything is awesome!

-Emmet Joseph Brickowski

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