Start Beaglebone Blue Roboticscape with python3

There is  Python library that bindings with some of the functionality of the Robotics Cape library. However it supports only Python 3. Not all functions are supported. Currently supported functions are:

1. MPU9250
2. PWM motors
3. Encoders
4. LEDs
5. Buttons
6. GPIO inputs

The library was design by mcdeoliveira and you can get the library from github here.

Start Installation

 You must also have python3 installed. If you have not installed python3 yet type

 sudo apt install python3 python3-pip  

to install python3 and pip3.Starting with version 0.3, rcpy is available from PyPI. Just type

 sudo pip3 install rcpy  

All basic examples for rcpy you can get it here .For more documentation details you can refer to html and pdf.

 Run Blink LED example 

To run led example you can create a new python file by typing

sudo touch led_example.py

Then  open the file by typing

 sudo nano led_example.py

Then copy the program below in the file.

 #!/usr/bin/env python3  
 # import rcpy libraries  
 import rcpy   
 import rcpy.gpio as gpio  
 import rcpy.button as button  
 import rcpy.led as led 

 #configure LEDs  
 rates = (0.5, 0.25, 0.1)  
 index = 0 

 # blink leds  
 led.red.on()  
 led.green.off()  
 blink_red = led.Blink(led.red, rates[index % len(rates)])  
 blink_green = led.Blink(led.green, rates[index % len(rates)])  
 blink_red.start()  
 blink_green.start() 

 # set state to rcpy.RUNNING  
 rcpy.set_state(rcpy.RUNNING)  

After that  save the file by ctrl+x in keyboard, then choose yes. You can execute the code by:

 sudo  python3 led_example.py

You can see the red and green leds will blinking from your BBBlue.

In BBBlue the are other external sensors can be used such gps, humidity , motor encoder etc. To connect the external  devices, you can check the list of BBBlue accessories here .