PreLab 1 · Before Unit 1

The Toolchain

PreLab · Python track — completion checklist

Purpose: Boot the Wombat, connect to it, and run a Python program you typed yourself.
Where This Sits: After PreLab 0, before Lab 1.1. Lab 1.1 assumes all of this already works.
How It Is Assessed: Completion only. Tick boxes and record your robot’s address — there is nothing to write up.
What You Need: Your robot · a charged battery · a computer on the same network · about one session

Before you start: type your PIN in the box at the top of the page. Your teacher gave you this number. When you finish, press Submit & Download to turn in your work and save a copy.

PreLab 1 Get the Robot Listening to You

Completion only again. The point is that by the end of this page your robot has run a program that you typed, and you have written down the numbers you will need every session after this.

Part 1Power up and connect

Connect to Wombat through computer's Wi-Fi settings.

The KIPR Software Suite --- click KISS IDE.

Battery charged and connected; the Wombat boots to its home screen.
I found the Wombat’s network name and joined it from my computer.
I found the on the Wombat’s screen and typed it into a browser.
I added the 8888 after the address, and the loaded.

Our Wombat's IP address Our Wombat's name or number

Write these in your notebook as well. You will type them at the start of every session.

Part 2Hardware, software, and what sits between

Python is read line by line rather than compiled ahead of time, but the same rules from C still hold — the machine cannot guess what you meant. Unlike C, indentation is part of the instruction, so incorrect indentation will cause an error.

I can say what is on my robot and point at three pieces.
I can say what is and where mine is stored.
I know what pressing Run actually does, and that it cannot guess what I meant.

Part 3Write and run

"Compilation succeeded" --- it is on the robot.

Make a new project called hello and type this in. Do not paste it — type it.

#!/usr/bin/python3
import os, sys
sys.path.append("/usr/lib")
import _kipr as k

def main():
    print("Ready?")
    print("Go!")

main()

I typed it myself and it ran with no errors.
I ran it on the robot and saw Ready? appear on one line, then Go! on the next.
I made an indentation error on purpose, read the message, and fixed it.

Part 4Know where your work lives

Shut down from the menu --- never straight off the switch.

I can find my saved projects again after the Wombat is switched off and back on.
Our team has agreed how projects are named, so we can find each other’s work.
I know where a copy of our code is kept off the robot.
I know our Wombat’s password is not shared outside the team.

Sign off

My robot has run a program I typed, and my teacher has seen it work.

Team name or number Date completed

You are ready

Lab 1.1 — Computers Follow Instructions assumes everything on this page. Start there.

When you are finished, press the button to turn in your work and save a copy.