It can be helpful to understand the values that a VEX GO robot's sensors and other devices are reporting, so that you can better understand how and why your robot's behaviors occur in a project. Within the VEX Classroom App, the Device info section can be used to see a visual representation of your robot's sensor data. Device info will show the robot's sensor values as they are being reported in real time, so that you can use that information to help you better understand your robot's functionality, and have an additional troubleshooting tool to use if you suspect something is not working as expected.
To view a robot's device info, first select the GO Brain you want to view from the VEX Devices list. Then scroll down to the Device info section.
Devices Plugged into Ports on the VEX GO Brain
The first section of Device info lists each port on the GO Brain and the type of device plugged into it. By default, the ports are configured for the Super Code Base build.
If your build uses different devices, you can change the device set for any port. Select the dropdown in the Choose device type column for the port you want to change.
Then, select the device that is plugged into that port.
The Reading column shows the values reported by each device in real time.
Motor information is reported in positive and negative degrees. This information shows the direction the motor is rotating - if the number is getting higher, the motors are rotating clockwise, and if the numbers are getting lower, the motors are rotating counterclockwise. This information can be helpful when making sure the robot is moving and turning correctly.
The Bumper switch information displays as "Released" until the switch is pressed. It will then display as "Pressed". This information can help you to be sure the sensor is pressed when troubleshooting a coding project using the bumper switch.
The electromagnet will read as N/A, as no data is returned from this device.
Eye Sensor Data
The Eye Sensor reports the brightness of ambient light, the color the sensor is detecting (red, blue, green, or N/A), the hue value being detected in degrees, and whether an object is detected (near or far).
This information can be used to see what the robot is detecting, so that you can make adjustments to your coding project if necessary to achieve the desired behavior, like changing the ambient light in the room, or the color of the object you are trying to detect.
Inertial Sensor Data
The built-in Inertial Sensor reports two sets of data – the first is the acceleration on the X, Y, and Z axes. Even when the robot is sitting still, these values will appear to be continually fluctuating. This is an expected behavior when the Inertial Sensor is functioning properly, as it is reporting values based on the forces acting on the robot, including gravity.
The built-in Inertial Sensor also reports the pitch, roll, and yaw of the robot. These values change based on how the robot is being rotated in three dimensional space. When it is sitting still, the pitch and roll should report 0 degrees. The yaw value may change depending on the angle to which the robot is rotated.
This information can be useful to learn more about how or why your robot drives and turns accurately. You can move the robot by hand, and watch how these values change, to see how the Inertial Sensor is reporting data.
One Stick Controller Data
If a One Stick Controller is paired to the GO Brain, a virtual One Stick Controller at the bottom of Device info shows the position of the joystick and any buttons that are currently being pressed.
This information can help you confirm that the controller is paired and responding as expected.