{"id":13899,"date":"2020-04-24T01:00:40","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T15:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/?p=13899"},"modified":"2022-07-18T16:23:30","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T06:23:30","slug":"virtual-robotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/virtual-robotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Robots, Brick Emulators, and Simulated Environments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Are you looking for a way to enable your students to program a LEGO robot without access to the hardware?&nbsp;Here&#8217;s a summary of some of the most popular and accessible EV3 emulators and virtual environments currently available, including both free and licensed software products. They range from open-ended tools that come with no agenda about how they are to be used through to highly-structured, curriculum-aligned activities.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14033\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14033\" style=\"width: 885px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Virtual-environment-tools-summary-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14033 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Virtual-environment-tools-summary-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"885\" height=\"398\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Virtual-environment-tools-summary-2.png 885w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Virtual-environment-tools-summary-2-300x135.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Virtual-environment-tools-summary-2-768x345.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14033\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">EV3 emulators and virtual environments<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>CoderZ<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13901\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13901\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/CoderZ.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13901 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/CoderZ-300x130.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"130\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/CoderZ-300x130.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/CoderZ-768x333.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/CoderZ.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13901\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coder Z features block-based programming and a robot in a virtual environment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gocoderz.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/gocoderz.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: By quote <em>(* see note below)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>CoderZ is an online learning environment for students to learn coding with a block-based programming language and a virtual 3D robot simulation. It&#8217;s structured around a series of&nbsp;gamified missions that provide over 15 hours of curriculum, activities, and assignments.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Block coding<\/li>\n<li>Runs in a browser, so no install needed<\/li>\n<li>Consists of a series of guided missions<\/li>\n<li>Teachers can create classes and monitor student progress<\/li>\n<li>Offers an online coding tournament where classes compete virtually.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>*Note: Amazon Future Engineer offers free online virtual robotics &amp; coding classes for any student or teacher affected by COVID-19 in the US, Canada, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. For more information, visit:&nbsp;https:\/\/play.gocoderz.com\/lp\/amazon\/<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>EV3DevSim<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13903\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13903\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/EV3DevSim.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13903 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/EV3DevSim-300x257.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"257\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/EV3DevSim-300x257.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/EV3DevSim-768x657.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/EV3DevSim.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13903\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Python programming with EV3DevSim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.aposteriori.com.sg\/Ev3devSim\/index.html. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aposteriori.com.sg\/Ev3devSim\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.aposteriori.com.sg\/Ev3devSim<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: Free<\/p>\n<p>DevSim enables students to write Python programs for a virtual EV3 robot. The same programs can be used on a physical EV3 robot running&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ev3dev.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ev3dev<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Python programming<\/li>\n<li>Runs in a browser, so no install needed<\/li>\n<li>A variety of maps are available for testing<\/li>\n<li>Versatile robot and map configuation<\/li>\n<li>Extensive tutorials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Gears<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14035\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14035\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Gears-Simulator.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14035 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Gears-Simulator-300x208.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Gears-Simulator-300x208.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Gears-Simulator-768x532.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Gears-Simulator-1024x709.png 1024w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Gears-Simulator.png 1066w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14035\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Program using Blockly or Python with Gears<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gears.aposteriori.com.sg\/\">https:\/\/gears.aposteriori.com.sg\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: Free<\/p>\n<p>From the creator of EV3DevSim, Gears is a newer and more capable simulator that supports Blockly and Python.&nbsp;Generated Python code can run on a physical EV3 robot running&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ev3dev.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ev3dev<\/a>&nbsp;or <a href=\"https:\/\/pybricks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pybricks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blockly or Python programming<\/li>\n<li>Runs in a browser, no login or accounts needed<\/li>\n<li>Many built in challenges and missions, or upload your own image to use as a map<\/li>\n<li>Realistic 3D physics simulation (eg. the robot won&#8217;t run straight without the help of a gyro)<\/li>\n<li>Use one of the many built-in robots or configure your own.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>MakeCode for EV3<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13902\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13902\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/MakeCode.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13902 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/MakeCode-300x163.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/MakeCode-300x163.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/MakeCode-768x417.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/MakeCode.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13902\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Program a virtual or real EV3 brick with MakeCode<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/makecode.mindstorms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/makecode.mindstorms.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: Free<\/p>\n<p>MakeCode for EV3 is a browser-based programming environment that enables students to program a physical robot or a simulated EV3 brick.The simulator enables to students to test and debug their programs interactively. They can precisely control sensor input values and get immediate feedback about what&#8217;s happening with the motors and the display.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Program in drag-and-drop block coding, JavaScript text programming, or switch between them<\/li>\n<li>Runs in a browser, so no install needed<\/li>\n<li>Program a real EV3 brick or a virtual one using the interactive&nbsp;simulator<\/li>\n<li>Extensive tutorials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Open Roberta Lab<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13904\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13904\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Open-Roberta-Lab.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13904 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Open-Roberta-Lab-300x142.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Open-Roberta-Lab-300x142.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Open-Roberta-Lab-768x364.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Open-Roberta-Lab.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13904\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Block-based programming with Open Roberta Lab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lab.open-roberta.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/lab.open-roberta.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: Free<\/p>\n<p>Open Roberta Lab&nbsp;enables students to write programs for a virtual EV3 robot using a block-based programming language.The same programs can be used on a physical EV3 robot running&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ev3dev.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ev3dev<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Block coding<\/li>\n<li>Runs in a browser, so no install needed<\/li>\n<li>A number of maps are available<\/li>\n<li>The simulator is relatively versatile, allowing the user to move the robot and obstacle around the map while the program is running<\/li>\n<li>Robot configuration can be adjusted<\/li>\n<li>Provides good feedback about the robot&#8217;s sensor values.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11778\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11778\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/QEV3BotSim-Page.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11778\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/QEV3BotSim-Page-300x159.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"159\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/QEV3BotSim-Page-300x159.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/QEV3BotSim-Page-768x406.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/QEV3BotSim-Page-1024x541.png 1024w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/QEV3BotSim-Page-600x317.png 600w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/QEV3BotSim-Page.png 1356w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11778\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">QEV3BotSim Virtual programming and testing screen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>QEV3Bot Simulator<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/qev3bot\/qev3bot-simulator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/qev3bot\/qev3bot-simulator<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: Free<\/p>\n<p>QEV3Bot Simulator is a free Windows-based LEGO EV3 simulator.&nbsp;QEV3BotSim allows the user to configure the connection of up to four sensors chosen from the set of eight available sensors mounted on the robot.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>RobotC text programming<\/li>\n<li>Runs on Windows<\/li>\n<li>EV3 brick emulator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Robot Virtual Worlds<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13906\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13906\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Robot-Virtual-Worlds-Virtual-Brick.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13906 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Robot-Virtual-Worlds-Virtual-Brick-300x190.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"190\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Robot-Virtual-Worlds-Virtual-Brick-300x190.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Robot-Virtual-Worlds-Virtual-Brick-768x486.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Robot-Virtual-Worlds-Virtual-Brick.png 779w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13906\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Robot Virtual Worlds includes a brick emulator and virtual environment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.robotvirtualworlds.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.robotvirtualworlds.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: Starts at $49 for single seat, or $299 for 30 seats for 365 days.<\/p>\n<p>Carnegie Mellon University&#8217;s&nbsp;Robot Virtual Worlds simulates robots in 3D environments using RobotC and enables students to program virtual or physical robots.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>RobotC text programming<\/li>\n<li>Runs on Windows 7, 8\/8.1, or 10<\/li>\n<li>EV3 brick emulator<\/li>\n<li>A level builder enables you to build your own virtual worlds and import existing 3D models (*.stl files)<\/li>\n<li>A selection of curriculum packs are available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Virtual Robotics Toolkit<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13916\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13916\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/vrt.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13916 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/vrt-300x158.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/vrt-300x158.png 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/vrt-768x406.png 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/vrt.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13916\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Virtual Robotics Toolkit complements the EV3 Software with an EV3 emulator and a highly configurable simulation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virtualroboticstoolkit.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.virtualroboticstoolkit.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost: $65 perpetual \/ $50 subscription per seat<\/p>\n<p>Cogmation&#8217;s Virtual Robotics Toolkit (VRT) is a highly-configurable and incredible versatile simulator that provides an experience that is a close match to the physical experience.&nbsp;Because it complements the EV3 Software rather than introducing an entirely new programming language, the VRT enables students to switch between virtual and physical programming.<\/p>\n<p>Features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Requires EV3 Software<\/li>\n<li>Runs on Mac OS X or Windows<\/li>\n<li>EV3 brick emulator<\/li>\n<li>Wide variety of virtual environments, including FLL and WRO competiton mats<\/li>\n<li>Highly configurable virtual robot<\/li>\n<li>Import custom robot models from free CAD tools such as LEGO Digital Designer<\/li>\n<li>Promotes collaboration through sharing virtual robots and sample code<\/li>\n<li>Configurable physics engine enables exploration of physical forces e.g. friction, gravity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Last updated: July 24, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you looking for a way to enable your students to program a LEGO robot without access to the hardware?&nbsp;Here&#8217;s a summary of some of the most popular and accessible EV3 emulators and virtual environments currently available, including both free and licensed software products. They range from open-ended tools that come with no agenda about [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13916,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[250],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13899"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13899"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14339,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13899\/revisions\/14339"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}