Frequently Asked Questions (about Ozobot Python for Web)

I am new to Python, can I get additional support?

The beta release is intended for users that are already proficient in Python, as we do not have enough resources at this time to answer general questions about Python programming. However, the Ozobot team will be happy to answer any questions about the Ozobot API and listen to suggestions for improvements.

What is the basic workflow with the editor? What are the quick-start instructions?

There is no on-boarding experience integrated to the Python Editor yet. For quick-start, proceed as follows:

• Type any Python expression to the editor. For instance:

2 + 3

• Click the "Run Python code (without a robot)" button.
• Observe that the outcome of the script is reported on the bottom of the Editor. It should read:

Result = 5

• This way you can output values from a Python program. The outcome of the last statement is reported as Result. If a program fails, Result returns the error description.
• After testing the Python interpreter alone, you can proceed to programming the Ozobot Evo robot:
  • Turn on Ozobot Evo by short press of the power button.
  • Click the "Connect Robot" button in the Python Editor.
  • A generic BLE pairing dialog will appear. Select your Ozobot Evo.
  • On successful connection, the robot will turn its lights off, but stays on (you can tell by observing the robot's bottom sensors are still lit).
  • Automatic firmware check is triggered, to ensure Ozobot Evo is loaded with firmware version 2.0 or newer. If old version is detected, update is offered. User should not skip the user update, otherwise, the experience will not fully work.
  • The button in the top-left corner will change its text to "Run Python code (with the connected robot)", and the text will stay there as long as the robot is connected.
  • Choose any quick start example from the drop-down menu in the top panel.
  • Press the "Run Python code (with the connected robot)".
  • Observe the robot to execute the code.
  • You can always interrupt the currently executing program by pressing the button "Restart Python" that appears in place of the "Run Python code..." button when the program is being executed.

What browsers are supported?

Google Chrome is the only supported browser at this time.

Where can I see the output of Python's print function?

In this early preview, the text printed to standard output (i.e. print("Hello word")) is printed to the browser Console. In Google Chrome, you can invoke the Console from the DevTools; press F12 key.

How can I import data to the Python script?

Standard input is not yet supported, nor is it possible to open user files. If requested by the user base, we may implement ways to input user data. As a workaround for now, paste the data into the script directly.

Is it possible to use Python Debugger?

There are no current plans to support debugging (with pdb).

Is it possibile to run the Ozobot API locally, outside of a browser environment?

Theoretically yes, but that is beyond the scope of this project. The API library is implemented mainly in TypeScript, so it would have to be ported to Python first.

Is the Ozobot API stable?

NO. The API is not stable.

The Ozobot API is still in the early phase of development. It is expected the API will evolve and change with future releases. The Ozobot team will not maintain any backward compatibility across the API versions until the final public release. The users understand that:

• Any Python programs they create might not be compatible with the production release of Ozobot Python for Web.
• The API can change significantly, or introduce breaking changes, without prior notice.

This implies that users should not release any example programs, curriculums, lessons or other documents that depend on the Ozobot API or other UX/UI aspects of the Python Editor for Web. The team cannot and will not maintain any backward compatibility. However, it is fine to use the Ozobot Python for Web and the Ozobot API for experiments and evaluation purposes. Should any example programs, lessons or other material be generated, their author bears the full responsibility of refactoring and maintaining them to match any API adjustments that are to come.

The documentation lists a feature, but it doesn't work. Is it a bug worth reporting?

The documentation is ahead compared to the actual implementation of the ozobot module. Many features described in the documentation are not yet implemented, such as any sensor data retrieval, etc.

Generally, if some group of features is unavailable in the ozobot module, we are most likely aware of that and there is no need to report it. However, if some API function is implemented but behaves differently than described, this is most likely a bug. Please report this, we will try to fix it or at least note that in the documentation.

Is it possible to control multiple Evos from Python?

Not at this point. Only one Ozobot Evo can be connected at a time. We will address this in the future and allow connections to multiple Evos simultaneously.

How to read sensor data from Evo?

At this point, only Move, Line Follow, Set LEDs and Audio features are supported. Reliable retrieval of data from Ozobot needs a firmware update and redesign of the library. The Ozobot team is working on this.

What is the Python version?

Try it yourself, run this code in the editor:

import sys
sys.version

Where can I ask for support?

Any feedback to the Ozobot API, bug reports and ideas for improvements are welcomed. Please send us an email to python@ozobot.com. Unfortunately, we do not have resources at this time to answer any questions about Python and programming in general.