Custom Debian distribution to program Lego Mindstorms EV3 using Python.

Use this repository to create bootable system for Lego Mindstorms EV3 brick. If don't want to go through the whole process yourself, you can download prebuild system image from here.

Once you have the system, you'll be more interested in the ev3 repository which is the Python API to program EV3 brick.

1. LegoMindstorms EV3 (31313).
2. Micro SD card 1GB+ (original instruction claims that 2GB is required, I've used 1GB and it works as well).
3. SD -> Micro SD card adapter.
4. Small forceps to remove Micro SD card from EV3 block.
5. 6x AA rechargeable batteries, two sets - the go flat pretty quickly.
6. 2x AAA rechargeable batteries.

Tested on OSX 10.9, should work with previous versions as well.

1. Download system image and unzip it:

   Note: This is prebuilt system image. If you want to build it yourself follow build instructions.

    $  curl -L https://db.tt/f7eBqYNo | tar xj
   

2. Copy downloaded image to sd card. First, get the device <NUMBER> by inspecting output from:

    $ diskutil list 
   

   Note: You may need to call unmountDisk instead of unmount if sd card comes with valid filesystem.

    $ sudo diskutil unmount /dev/disk<NUMBER>
    $ sudo dd if=./python-ev3.img of=/dev/rdisk<NUMBER> bs=1m
    $ sudo diskutil eject /dev/disk<NUMER>        
   

3. Turn off your robot, insert micro sd card and turn it on again (it may take some time).

4. Connect robot via USB cable.

5. Establish connection:

    $ ssh [email protected]
   

   Password is password.

6. Turning off:

    root@python-ev3:~# shutdown -h now
   

• It takes a long time at first boot.
• The system is built using debian wheezy.
• A modified lejos kernel is used.
• The bluetooth is not stable enough. You may or may not connect to EV3 by bluetooth network.

• ev3 opensource project: https://github.com/mindboards/ev3sources
• lejos: http://sourceforge.net/projects/lejos/
• python compile instructions: http://www.droboports.com/app-repository/python-2-7-5
• ev3-dev: https://github.com/mindboards/ev3dev