RB-88 Controller

Introduction

The RB-88 is a controller used in the OLLO Spark and OLLO Excel Kit, featuring Bluetooth functionality and built-in devices such as motor output shafts and various input/output devices (infrared sensor, microphone, LED, buzzer).
The RB-88 controller is compatible with ROBOTIS’ 12mm standard products.
Firmware updates and recovery can be done via the STEAMCUP app.
You can program the RB-88 with R-Block and download the program to make the controller operate.

Specifications

Item	Specification
Weight	160g
Controller	Arm® Cortex®-M4 MCU
Dimensions	120 mm x 60 mm x 36 mm
Motor Output Shafts	Central Shaft x 2, Rear Shaft x 2
Gear Ratio	Central Shaft 30:1, Rear Shaft 60:1
Speed	Central Shaft 135 RPM, Rear Shaft 270 RPM (at 4.5V)
Operating Voltage	3.6V ~ 4.8V (AA batteries x 3)
Internal I/O Devices	Infrared Sensor (Obstacle Detection) x 6, Microphone (Sound Detection) x 1, Buzzer x 1, AUX LED x 2 (Orange, Green), POWER LED x 1 (Blue)
External I/O Ports	DXL TTL 3P Port x 2

DANGER
(Ignoring these warnings may cause serious injury or death)

Never place items containing water, flammables/open flames, or solvents near the product.
Never place fingers, arms, toes, and other body parts near product during operation.
Cease operation and remove power from the product if the product begins to emit strange odors, noises, or smoke.
Keep product out of reach of children.
Check input polarity before installing or energizing wiring or cables.

CAUTION
(Ignoring these warnings may cause mild injury or damage to the product)

Always comply with the product’s offical operating environment specifications including input voltage, current, and operating temperature.
Do not insert blades or other sharp objects during product operation.

ATTENTION
(Ignoring these warnings may cause minor injury or damage to the product)

Do not disassemble or modify the product.
Do not drop the product or apply strong impacts.
Do not connect or disconnect DYNAMIXEL cables while power is being supplied.

Control Table

Control Table consists of data regarding the current status and operation of controller. The user can control controller by changing data of Control Table via Instruction packet.

EEPROM and RAM
Data in RAM area is reset to initial values whenever the power is turned on while data in EEPROM area is kept once values are set even if the power is turned off.
Address
Represents the location of data. To read from or write data to the control table the user should assign the correct address in the Instruction packet.
Access
Controller has two kinds of data: Read-only data, used mainly for sensing, and read-and-write data used for driving.
Initial Value
In case of data in the EEPROM Area, the initial values on the right side of the below Control Table are the factory default settings.
In case of data in the RAM Area, the initial values on the right side of the following control table are the ones when the power is turned on.
Size
The Size of data varies from 1 ~ 4 bytes depend on their usage. Please check the size of data when updating the data with an Instruction Packet.

RB-88 Control Table

Area	Address	Size[Byte]	Name	Access	Initial Value	Range	Unit	Setting Value	Description
EEPROM	0	2	Model Number	R	491	-	-	-	Model number
EEPROM	6	1	Firmware Version	R	-	-	-	-	Firmware version
EEPROM	7	1	ID	R	200	-	-	-	Controller ID
EEPROM	8	1	Baud Rate	RW	3	0 ~ 3	-	0: 9600 bps 1: 57600 bps 2: 115200 bps 3: 1 Mbps	Communication speed via Dynamixel
EEPROM	11	1	Bootloader Version	R	-	-	-	-	Bootloader version
RAM	21	1	Mode Number	RW	-	1 ~ 6	-	1: Play Mode 2: Manage Mode 3: Reboot 4: TTL Bootloader 5: BLE Bootloader 6: Power Off	Mode number 1: Play Mode: Run the stored Blockly program mode 2: Manage Mode: External control waiting mode 3: Reboot: Reboot 4: TTL Bootloader: Bootloader using 3-pin TTL port 5: BLE Bootloader: Bootloader using BLE 6: Power Off: Turn off power
RAM	25	1	Press Count	R	-	-	-	-	Number of times the power button was pressed when turning on the controller
RAM	49	1	BLE Paired	R	0	0 ~ 1	-	0: False 1: True	Current BLE pairing status
RAM	51	4	Serial Screen	W	0	-32768 ~ 32767	-	-	4-byte signed value for screen output (no line feed)
RAM	55	4	Serial Screen LF	W	0	-32768 ~ 32767	-	-	4-byte signed value for screen output (with line feed)
RAM	59	2	TX Remote Control Data	W	-	-	-	-	Remote control data to be sent via BLE
RAM	61	2	RX Remote Control Data	R	-	-	-	-	Remote control data received via BLE
RAM	63	1	RX Remote Control Data Arrived	R	0	-	-	0: False 1: True	Whether remote control data received via BLE is available
RAM	66	2	Motion Index Number	RW	0	0 ~ 65535	-	0: Stop motion using motion stop unit 1~65532: Execute motion of selected unit 65533: Stop motion immediately 65534: Stop motion at current key-frame 65535: Stop motion at current unit	Play a specific motion or stop the currently playing motion.
RAM	68	1	Motion Play Status	R	0	0 ~ 1	-	0: False 1: True	Check if motion is being executed.
RAM	71	2	Delay Millisecond	W	0	0 ~ 60000	ms	-	Delay for the specified time (available only during Blockly execution).
RAM	76	1	Power Save Timer	RW	5	0 ~ 255	minute	0: Never turn off 1 ~ 255: Turn off after m minutes if no 2.0 packets are received	Set auto power-off timer
RAM	79	1	Red LED	RW	0	0 ~ 1	-	0: OFF 1: ON	Turn on/off red LED
RAM	80	1	Green LED	RW	0	0 ~ 1	-	0: OFF 1: ON	Turn on/off green LED
RAM	84	1	Buzzer Index	RW	0	0 ~ 51	-	-	- Melody mode: Execute melodies 0 ~ 25 when Buzzer Time(85) is 255. - Scale mode: Execute scales 0 ~ 51 when Buzzer Time(85) is 0 ~ 254.
RAM	85	1	Buzzer Time	RW	0	0 ~ 255	0.1 sec	-	Enter scale mode or melody mode. Scales and melodies are played based on Buzzer Index. - 0: Play scale for 0.3 s - 1 ~ 50: Play scale for 0.1 ~ 5.0 s. Unit: 0.1 s - 50 ~ 254: Play scale for 5 s - 255: Enter melody mode
RAM	86	1	Sound Detected Count	RW	0	0 ~ 255	-	-	Write: Any value initializes to 0. Read: Final detection count recognized by the built-in microphone of the controller Value change method: Maintain the value during sound detection and change to the last real-time value when the sound ends.
RAM	87	1	Sound Detecting Count	R	0	0 ~ 255	-	-	Read: Real-time detection count recognized by the built-in microphone of the controller Value change method: Increase during sound detection and become 0 when the sound ends.
RAM	88	1	Low Battery Sound Enable	RW	1	0 ~ 1	-	0: OFF 1: ON	Enable or disable low battery alarm. - Alarm occurs every 3 minutes when battery voltage is below 3.3V
RAM	90	2	Motion Count	R	-	0 ~ 65535	-	-	Number of motions stored in the controller
RAM	92	2	Motion Next Page	RW	0	0 ~ 65535	-	0~65534: Page to move 65535: Not used	Used to smoothly move between motion pages without stopping the motor. When creating motion profiles, the operation of the next motion page can be predicted to create smooth motion.
RAM	96	2	Random Min	RW	-100	-1000 ~ 1000	-	-	Minimum value of random number
RAM	98	2	Random Max	RW	100	-1000 ~ 1000	-	-	Maximum value of random number
RAM	100	2	Random Number	R	-	-1000 ~ 1000	-	-	Random number within the range of Random Min(96) to Random Max(98)
RAM	300	2	Decrease Timer	RW	0	-32768 ~ 32767	ms	-	Countdown timer Decreases from the moment a value is written
RAM	302	4	Increase Timer	RW	0	0 ~ 4294967295	ms	-	Count-up timer Resets to 0 when any value is written
RAM	360	2	IR Sensor 1	R	0	0 ~ 400	-	-	Value of IR sensor 1
RAM	362	2	IR Sensor 2	R	0	0 ~ 400	-	-	Value of IR sensor 2
RAM	364	2	IR Sensor 3	R	0	0 ~ 400	-	-	Value of IR sensor 3
RAM	366	2	IR Sensor 4	R	0	0 ~ 400	-	-	Value of IR sensor 4
RAM	368	2	IR Sensor 5	R	0	0 ~ 400	-	-	Value of IR sensor 5
RAM	370	2	IR Sensor 6	R	0	0 ~ 400	-	-	Value of IR sensor 6
RAM	440	12	BLE Mac Address	R	-	-	-	-	BLE MAC address of the controller
RAM	500	4	Micros	R	0	0 ~ 4294967295	us	-	Time elapsed in microseconds since firmware execution
RAM	504	4	Millis	R	0	0 ~ 4294967295	ms	-	Time elapsed in milliseconds since firmware execution
RAM	900	1	Motor Stop	RW	0	-	-	-	Write: - 0 ~ 255: Stop all deceleration motors Read: - 0: Both motors rotating - 1: Left motor stopped, right motor rotating - 2: Left motor rotating, right motor stopped - 3: Both motors stopped
RAM	901	1	Motor Type	R	-	-	-	0 : RB86 1 : RB88	Controller Type
RAM	908	2	Left Center Motor Speed	RW	-	-999 ~ 999	-	-	Left center motor rotation speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - PWM value with forward and reverse corrections applied for left motor rotation 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	914	2	Right Center Motor Speed	RW	-	-999 ~ 999	-	-	Right center motor rotation speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - PWM value with forward and reverse corrections applied for right motor rotation 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	916	2	Center Motor Forward Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Center motor forward speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Update the forward correction value until the speed of the left and right motors is the same every 360 degrees rotation of the center wheel and adjust the PWM value - Forward correction value is stored in EEPROM and maintained even if the power is turned off 2. Slot synchronization mode - Synchronize the positions of the left and right wheels by checking the position where the center wheel rotates 180 degrees using the slot on the motor
RAM	918	2	Center Motor Backward Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Center motor backward speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Update the reverse correction value until the speed of the left and right motors is the same every 360 degrees rotation of the center wheel and adjust the PWM value - Reverse correction value is stored in EEPROM and maintained even if the power is turned off 2. Slot synchronization mode - Synchronize the positions of the left and right wheels by checking the position where the center wheel rotates 180 degrees using the slot on the motor
RAM	920	2	Center Motor Turn Left Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Center motor turn left speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Left motor rotates with PWM value applied with reverse correction, and right motor rotates with PWM value applied with forward correction 2. Slot synchronization mode - Synchronize the positions of the left and right wheels by checking the position where the center wheel rotates 360 degrees using the slot on the motor
RAM	922	2	Center Motor Turn Right Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Center motor turn right speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Left motor rotates with PWM value applied with forward correction, and right motor rotates with PWM value applied with reverse correction 2. Slot synchronization mode - Synchronize the positions of the left and right wheels by checking the position where the center wheel rotates 360 degrees using the slot on the motor
RAM	943	1	Sync Mode	RW	0	0 ~ 1	-	0 : OFF 1 : ON	Synchronization mode setting 1. Speed synchronization mode - Measure the speed at which the center motor reference wheel rotates 360 degrees to synchronize the speed of the left and right motors 2. Slot synchronization mode - When slot synchronization mode is set, the motor moves to the zero position - Detect the position where the center motor reference wheel rotates 180 degrees when the motor rotates, and synchronize the position of the left and right wheels
RAM	945	1	Sync State	R	0	0 ~ 1	-	0 : False 1 : True	Check synchronization process status
RAM	950	2	Left Back Motor Speed	RW	0	-999 ~ 999	-	-	Left back motor rotation speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - PWM value with forward and reverse corrections applied for left motor rotation 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	952	2	Right Back Motor Speed	RW	0	-999 ~ 999	-	-	Right back motor rotation speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - PWM value with forward and reverse corrections applied for right motor rotation 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	954	2	Back Motor Forward Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Back motor forward speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Update the forward correction value until the speed of the left and right motors is the same every 180 degrees rotation of the back wheel and adjust the PWM value - Forward correction value is stored in EEPROM and maintained even if the power is turned off 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	956	2	Back Motor Backward Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Back motor backward speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Update the reverse correction value until the speed of the left and right motors is the same every 180 degrees rotation of the back wheel and adjust the PWM value - Reverse correction value is stored in EEPROM and maintained even if the power is turned off 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	958	2	Back Motor Turn Left Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Back motor turn left speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Left motor rotates with PWM value applied with reverse correction, and right motor rotates with PWM value applied with forward correction 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	960	2	Back Motor Turn Right Speed	W	0	0 ~ 999	-	-	Back motor turn right speed 1. Speed synchronization mode - Left motor rotates with PWM value applied with forward correction, and right motor rotates with PWM value applied with reverse correction 2. Slot synchronization mode - Automatically switches to speed synchronization mode and operates in speed synchronization mode
RAM	1101	1	DXL Count	R	0	-	-	-	Number of Dynamixels connected to the controller
RAM	1102	8	DXL ID	R	-	-	-	-	Bits corresponding to Dynamixel IDs connected to the controller are set to 1. Data is displayed in Littlen endian format. Example: - ID 1 and 3 Dynamixels connected - Binary: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00001010 - Hexadecimal: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0A - ID 2 and 8 Dynamixels connected - Binary: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001 00000100 - Hexadecimal: 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 04
RAM	1166	1	DXL Scan	W	-	0 ~ 1	-	-	Dynamixel scan on the controller
RAM	1167	1	DXL Reboot	W	-	0 ~ 252	-	-	Reboot the Dynamixel with the selected ID
RAM	1322	1	DXL Torque	W	-	-	-	-	Turn on or off torque for all connected Dynamixels
RAM	1500	2	Line Tracer Speed	RW	0	-	-	0 : End line tracing 1 ~ 999 : Line tracing speed	Set line tracing speed
RAM	1505	1	Line Category	R	0	-	-	0 : On line 1 : Off line 5 : + Intersection 6 : T Intersection 7 : ⊣ - Left Turn 8 : ⊢ - Right Turn 9 : ⏋Left Corner 10 : ⎾ Right Corner 11 : \| Dead End 12 : Blank 1 [—- —–] 13 : Blank 2 [– — –]	Detected line category

Layout

rb_88_label

Power Button: Short press to turn on. The power LED lights up, and the controller enters Play Mode and downloaded program on the controller starts running. If held for more than 3 seconds, the buzzer beeps twice, indicating Manage Mode. Holding for about 9 seconds results in three beeps, indicating Firmware Recovery Mode.
Power LED: Pressing the power button causes the blue LED to flash. When connected to the BT-430 dongle, the blue LED remains on without flashing.
LED 1,2 (LED): Indicator LEDs that can be turned on or off through programming.
IR Sensor (1~6) (Infrared Sensor): Six infrared sensors, allowing programming using sensor values from different directions.
3Pin DXL Port (1,2) (3-pin port): Located below the power button, can be used to connect XL330-M077-T and XL330-M288-T, and more.
Center Motor Shaft: For attaching a cross axle. The gear ratio is 30:1.
Rear Motor Shaft: For attaching a cross axle. The gear ratio is 60:1.

Power Supply

The RB-88 is powered by three AA batteries.

Controller Modes

Play Mode

With the controller off, briefly press the power button to start, and the blue LED lights up, indicating the controller is in Play mode.
Play mode executes R-Block programs downloaded to the controller.
The number of times you press the start button in succession at the initial start increases the button press count. You can use this parameter for programming to make RB-88 perform different actions depending on the number of times you press the start button.
In Play mode, if Bluetooth is not paired with a leader device, the blue LED will flash. When paired, the blue LED remains on without flashing.

Manage Mode

With the controller off, press and hold the power button for about 1 second until you hear two short beeps, and the blue LED lights up, indicating the controller is in Manage mode.
In Manage mode, you can download R-Block programs.
In Manage mode, if Bluetooth is not paired with a leader device, the blue LED will flash. When paired, the blue LED remains on without flashing.

Recovery Mode

With the controller off, press and hold the power button for about 9 seconds until there is no more sound. This indicates entry into Recovery mode.
In Recovery mode, both the orange and blue LEDs will flash.
Connect the RB-88 controller in Recovery mode by clicking “Add Robot” in the STEAMCUP app. (Connect from Mobile)
Do not close the app during the update.
Place your smartphone as close as possible to the controller during the update.

Controller Shutdown

To turn off the controller when it’s on, press the start button again.

Control Dynamixels via Bluetooth

When the controller is in Manage mode, you can control Dynamixels using their IDs connected to the controller.
After confirming the model name of the Dynamixels connected to the controller, please refer to the Dynamixel control table in the e-Manual.

Cross Hub Assembly

Insert the end of the cross shaft into the cross hub on the RB-86, making sure their directions match.

rb_88_cross_hn

Connect to STEAMCUP

Connect from PC

Navigate to the STEAMCUP website.
- Search for STEAMCUP on Google or visit the STEAMCUP website.
Click on the hamburger menu in the upper right corner, sign up, and log in.
Click on Add Robot.
Select the controller you want to connect to from the Bluetooth device selection window and proceed with pairing.
The RB-88 will beep once, indicating a successful connection.

Connect from Mobile

Download the STEAMCUP app from the Google Play Store or App Store.
Run the STEAMCUP app, sign up, and log in.
Click on Add Robot and select the controller you want to connect to.
The RB-88 will beep once, indicating a successful connection.

Firmware Update

Connect to your RB-88 via the STEAMCUP app.
Click on the RB-88 icon.
Click on the Firmware Recovery/Update button.
Follow the wireless firmware update instructions.

Note: PC STEAMCUP does not support firmware update functionality.

Connect to Remote Controller

Connect to RC-100B or RC-300

Turn on the RB-88 without an active BLE connection.
Power on the RC-100B (equipped with BT-410 MASTER module) or RC-300 near the RB-88 controller.
The RC-100B (BT-410 MASTER module equipped) or RC-300 will automatically connect to the nearby RB-88 controller.

Connect from STEAMCUP to Remote Controller

Connect RB-88 from your PC or the STEAMCUP app.
Select the remote controller icon to open the virtual remote controller.

Straightness Calibration

When running either of the following R-Block blocks, the RB-86 will automatically attempt to correct straightness during motion.
Long-distance travel is required for straightness calibration to be completed.
The straightness calibration value is retained even when the power is turned off.