VMX Smart Mobile Platform Discontinued
The VMX Smart Mobile Platform uses the controller designated for the WorldSkills Competition robotics trade, paired with an aluminum alloy chassis and Mecanum wheels. Students use C++ and Python to learn motor control, PID straight-line driving, and image recognition.
What this kit teaches
VMX VS Code installation and reading peripheral sensor values
VMX-pi introduction, detailed hardware overview, installing the VMX VS Code package, installing the VMX-pi extension, installing Control Station Console, and installing VNC Viewer.
Motor speed control and video streaming
Controlling motor speed with Shuffle Board, basic remote control mode, headless remote control mode, an introduction to PID principles, PID straight-line driving, and sending live video back to Shuffle Board.
Image recognition: barcodes and color recognition
Creating a barcode Python script, creating a barcode bridging program, creating a color recognition Python script, and creating a color recognition bridging program.
Course outline
01 VMX VS Code Installation (3 class periods)
Unit content
- VMX-pi introduction
- Detailed hardware overview
- Install the VMX VS Code package
- Install the VMX-pi extension
- Install Control Station Console
- Install VNC Viewer
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 1
02 Usage and environment setup (1 class period)
Unit content
- VMX-pi Smart Mobile Platform hardware overview
- VMX-pi setup
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 2
03 Introduction to related software tools (2 class periods)
Unit content
- Introduction to VMX VS Code
- Introduction to Shuffle Board
- Introduction to Control Station Console
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 3
04 Reading peripheral sensor values (1 class period)
Unit content
- Read distances from the ultrasonic and infrared sensors
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 4
05 Motor speed control (1 class period)
Unit content
- Control motor speed with Shuffle Board
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 5
06 Wireless joystick remote control (1 class period)
Unit content
- Basic remote control mode
- Headless remote control mode
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 6
07 Straight-line driving (1 class period)
Unit content
- Introduction to PID principles
- PID straight-line driving
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 7
08 Video streaming (1 class period)
Unit content
- Send live video back to Shuffle Board
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 8
09 Image recognition: barcode (1 class period)
Unit content
- Create a barcode Python script
- Create a barcode bridging program
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 9
10 Color recognition (1 class period)
Unit content
- Create a color recognition Python script
- Create a color recognition bridging program
Matching materials: VMX Smart Mobile Platform User Manual, Chapter 10
The course outline is based on the CIRCUS Pi teaching manual. Class period counts are estimates and can be adjusted to fit your class.
Hardware specifications
| VMX Smart Mobile Platform specifications | |
| Platform dimensions (cm) | 400 x 235 x 60 (L x W x H) |
| Thickness (mm) | 3 |
| Platform layers | 1 layer |
| Platform material | Aluminum |
| Wheel type | Mecanum wheels |
| Wheel specifications | |
| Diameter | 100 mm |
| Width | 50 mm |
| Rollers | 12 per wheel |
| Left-hand wheels | 2 |
| Right-hand wheels | 2 |
| Number of plates | 2 |
| Main material (per type) | Aluminum alloy rollers |
| Material | PP+PE |
| Washer material | Nylon |
| Motor specifications | |
| Gear ratio | 60:1 |
| Stall torque | 108 oz-in |
| Rated current | 2.2 A |
| Rated torque | 139 oz-in |
| Encoder resolution | 6 CPR |
Features
The VMX Smart Mobile Platform was built for the robotics trade at the 2022 WorldSkills Competition. It uses the officially designated controller and combines many reliable peripherals: a sturdy, stable structure, precise motors and encoders, distance sensors, and a large-capacity battery for long runtime. There is ample room on top of the platform for any extra mechanisms users need to add (for example, a robotic arm or ball-gripping mechanism), and it provides reliable vision recognition, so users can focus on functions and programming rather than hardware or software problems.
Multifunction aluminum alloy platform
Front view of the platform
Rear view showing the internal components of the platform
Video introduction
Feature demo videos
VMX FRC line-tracking function (0:42)
VMX FRC vision recognition + pick-and-sort demo (1:14)
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