Operation - Make it Move

This section describes how to make your Duckiebot move.

Tip

Troubleshooting sections are provided at the end of each operation page - start there if you run into any issues.

Keyboard control

The easiest way to move a Duckiebot is by using the keyboard_control command provided in the Duckietown shell. This video shows how to drive a Duckiebot using the keyboard, through the Duckietown Shell.

Option 1: Use the GUI (For Linux Users)

If you are using macOS, see Option 2.

To move your Duckiebot using your computer’s keyboard open a terminal and run:

dts duckiebot keyboard_control ![DUCKIEBOT_NAME]

Attention

For all operation commands that use the Duckiebot’s name - replace ![DUCKIEBOT_NAME] with just the Duckiebot’s hostname, do not include .local part that you used previously to access the dashboard.

After startup, the keyboard_control command will open an interface window. Make sure the window is active by selecting it, and use the keys in the table below to command your Duckiebot:

Fig. 43 The keyboard control graphical user interface.

The following keys control the Duckiebot:

KEY	Function
Arrow Keys - ↑ ↓ ← →	Steer your Duckiebot
q	Quit
a	Turn on lane following (see note below)
s	Stop lane following
i	Toggle Anti-Instagram

Note

The a, s, and i functions require the lane following demo to be running. For now, just try out the keyboard control and get your Duckiebot moving!

Option 2: Use the CLI (For Mac Users)

If you are using MacOSX and find the keyboard interface is not responsive, run the stack directly on the Duckiebot and use the same keys within the command line interface as listed in the table above:

dts duckiebot keyboard_control ![DUCKIEBOT_NAME] --cli

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

SYMPTOM

The Duckiebot does not move, and I cannot see the commands being sent to the Duckiebot when looking at the Dashboard > Mission Control page.

RESOLUTION

Make sure that the keyboard gui window is active by selecting it, then try the keyboard commands again. Some keyboard configurations may require that you use w a s d rather than ↑ ↓ ← →.

Troubleshooting

SYMPTOM

I can see the commands being sent to the Duckiebot (e.g., through the Dashboard > Mission Control), but the Duckiebot does not move. My Dashboard > Robot > Components page shows a red alert for the HUT.

RESOLUTION

If you have a HUT v3.1 you will stumble on this problem the first time you try to move your Duckiebot. Re-flash your HUT following the procedure described in Debug - Re-flash Microcontroller.

Troubleshooting

SYMPTOM

I have reflashed the HUT but the joystick commands still do not work or the Duckiebot operates in a jerky manner. Additionally, the ToF sensor and front bumper are not detected on the dashboard Components page. I may also be having issues with the screen.

RESOLUTION

Disconnect the ToF sensor from the front bumper and use the long cable that originally connected the front bumper to the HUT to connect the ToF sensor directly to that same HUT port. Then reboot. This bypasses a known multiplexer issue on some bumpers that can cause other HUT misbehaviors.

Troubleshooting

SYMPTOM

I checked the two troubleshooting issues above, and my Duckiebot still doesn’t move.

RESOLUTION

Check that the duckiebot-interface container is running

Open the Portainer interface and check the running containers. You should see one that has a name that contains duckiebot-interface (exact container name will depend on your robot version).

You can also determine this by running:

docker -H ![ROBOT_NAME].local ps

and look at the output to find the duckiebot-interface container and verify that it is running.

If you don’t see the container, your base image is out of date - update your Duckiebot with the command

dts duckiebot update ![ROBOT_NAME]

Troubleshooting

SYMPTOM

Duckiebot goes backwards, even though I command it to go forward.

RESOLUTION

If you have a DB17 or DB18, revert the polarities (plus and minus cables) of the cables that go to the motor driver (HUT) for both motors.