This article will walk you through how to pair an IQ (2nd gen) Controller or EXP Controller to a GO Brain. This is useful for driving a GO Code Base or other GO build using a Controller.
Before you begin the pairing process, ensure that both the GO Brain and the Controller are up-to-date with the latest firmware and charged to prevent disruptions during the pairing process. For information on charging and updating firmware, view the following articles:
GO Brain:
IQ (2nd gen) Controller:
EXP Controller:
Note: The pairing of a Controller and GO Brain is temporary. Once the devices are powered off, the steps provided below must be repeated to re-establish the connection.
Pairing a Controller to a GO Brain
The following animations show the process of pairing an IQ (2nd gen) Controller to a GO Brain. However, all of the steps still apply when pairing an EXP Controller to a GO Brain.
Place the GO Brain and the Controller in close proximity.
Turn on the GO Brain and the Controller.
To turn on the GO Brain, press the button in the center of the Brain. To turn on the Controller, press the power button in the center of the Controller. Both of these processes are shown in this video.
The LED lights on both devices should be green, indicating they are powered on.
Place the GO Brain in pairing mode by quickly double-tapping the GO Brain's power button.
The power button LED will turn a solid yellow, signaling that the GO Brain is now in pairing mode. This process is shown in this video.
Next, place the Controller in pairing mode. Follow the instructions below depending on if you are using an IQ (2nd gen) or EXP Controller.
- IQ (2nd gen) Controller: Hold down the two shoulder buttons labeled "R-Up" and "R-Down" and double-tap the Controller's power button. This process is shown in this video.
- EXP Controller: Hold down the two shoulder buttons labeled "R1" and "R2" and double-tap the Controller's power button.
Once in pairing mode, the LED on the Controller will blink yellow, indicating it is ready to pair.
As shown in this animation, once both devices are in pairing mode, they will pair with one another and the LED on both devices will flash green once they are connected.
Default Configuration
Once the Controller is paired to the GO Brain, the following outlines the default configuration for the motors and sensors.
IQ (2nd gen) Controller:
The drivetrain motors are all controlled using Right Arcade. Meaning that forward, backward, left and right movement is all controlled on the right joystick.
- Drivetrain: Right motor in Port 1 and Left Motor in Port 4.
- E Up/E Down: control an additional motor, LED, or Magnet in Port 2.
- F Up/F Down: control an additional motor, LED, or Magnet in Port 3.
EXP Controller:
The drivetrain motors are all controlled using Right Arcade. Meaning that forward, backward, left and right movement is all controlled on the right joystick.
- Drivetrain: Right motor in Port 1 and Left Motor in Port 4.
- Up/Down: control an additional motor, LED, or Magnet in Port 2.
- A/B Down: control an additional motor, LED, or Magnet in Port 3.
Tips for Troubleshooting
If your GO Brain and Controller are not pairing as intended, consider the following:
- Ensure both devices are charged and their firmware is updated.
- For consistent connectivity, always ensure that the GO Brain and Controller are in close range, preferably within a few feet of each other.
- When pressing the GO Brain and the Controller’s power buttons to place them in pairing mode, the speed at which they are pressed is important. If pressed too quickly or not quickly enough, the devices will not go into pairing mode. Watch the timing of the animations above to get a better idea of how quickly the buttons need to be pressed.