If you’ve been itching to add custom electronics to your LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor or LEGO SPIKE Prime, I’ve got something that will make your gears turn! Introducing the PUPRemote library—a library that allows you to build your own custom LEGO sensor with a few lines of MicroPython. Let’s dive into what it is, why it’s amazing, and how you can get in on the action.
What is PUPRemote?
PUPRemote stands for LEGO Powered Up Remote Procedure Call. In simpler terms, it allows you to call functions and request data on any pyboard like LMS-ESP32, OpenMV, and so on. What makes it extraordinary is that it lets your pyboard communicate as if it’s a LEGO sensor or motor.
WiFi Python LMS-ESP32 board for MINDSTORMS (LMS-ESP32-v1.0)
This all-new MicroPython expansion board for LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor, Spike Prime, and EV3. You can easily connect this LMS-ESP32-v1.0 board to your LEGO robot and use it as an interface to a limitless range of third-party electronics. You can now connect any protocol to your LEGO Robot: I2C, UART, SPI, WS2812, Neopixel, I2S, WiFi, Bluetooth Classic, BLE, Bluetooth HID, Hobby Servo PWM, …
Compatible with Pybricks, SPIKE2 and SPIKE3
The library integrates seamlessly with Pybricks, meaning it’s compatible with any smart battery box supported by Pybricks. And yes, it works with Robot Inventor, SPIKE2, and SPIKE3 too!
Custom LEGO sensor Projects You Can Build with PUPRemote
Here are some project ideas to get those creative juices flowing:
- Voice-Controlled LEGO Robot: Use a voice recognition sensor with your Mindstorms or SPIKE Prime bot for hands-free control.
- Facial Recognition Security System: Equip your LEGO creation with an OpenMV cam to recognize faces and grant access.
- Telemetry Dashboard: Collect and visualize sensor data in real-time, right on your computer or mobile device.
- Automated LEGO Greenhouse: Control temperature, humidity, and light conditions for your mini LEGO plants.
Feeling inspired? Share your projects on social media and tag @antonsmindstorms. I can’t wait to see what you build, and I’ll definitely repost your amazing projects!
Contribute and Grow the Community
If you’d like to make PUPRemote even better, the documentation is a great place to start. Test out the library, expand the docs, and please fork and make pull requests. Every contribution counts! Especially on SPIKE2 and SPIKE3, there is more work to be done. I much prefer Pybricks, so I didn’t work on the official LEGO platforms so much.
So there you have it, the PUPRemote library is your key to unlocking a universe of possibilities in LEGO robotics. Now go make something awesome!
