Python for robotics

VS Code
It is a workspace where you write, run, and manage code.
VS Code = Workshop
Python = Tool
Folder = Project table
When we clicked File → Open Folder → robotics_python, you told VS Code:
“This folder is my project.”
VS Code now:
Watches that folder
Shows its files on the left
Runs code inside that folder
Saves outputs (like .txt files) there
If you don’t use folders, everything becomes chaos.
—> Folder = project boundary

Explorer Panel (Left side) — WHAT it is

It shows
robotics_python
├── robot_basics.py
├── serial_read.py
├── serial_write.py
├── sensor_log.txt
└── [Link]
This is your project structure.

3️⃣ robot_basics.py — WHAT this file is

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 .py means Python file
This is NOT running yet
It’s just text until you press Run
VS Code lets you:
Write code ; Save it ; Run it using Python ; See output

4️⃣ Run Button / Run Python File — WHAT happens

When you click Run Python File:
VS Code does this behind the scenes:
1. Finds Python ( python3 ); [Link] your file to Python
3. Runs it; [Link] output in the Terminal

VS Code → asks Python → Python executes → result shown

VS Code itself never runs your code.

5️⃣ Terminal (Bottom panel) — WHY it appears

That black area at the bottom is the Terminal.
It is:
Your computer’s command line
Integrated into VS Code for convenience

SUMMARY
Explorer → shows files
Editor → write code
Terminal → see output
Extensions → add powers

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 STEP 3 — SENSOR DATA LOGGING
(PYTHON FOR ROBOTICS)
What STEP 3 is about (A → Z)
A. Purpose
Robots must store sensor data, not just print it.
This is called data logging.

B. Why logging is important in robotics

Debugging sensor errors
Performance analysis
Proof that the robot worked
Post-processing (graphs, reports)
Printing is temporary.
Logging is permanent.

C. Files used
Python file: robot_basics.py

Log file (auto-created): sensor_log.txt

Both exist inside:

Documents/robotics_python/

D. Complete Code (STEP 3)

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 import time
import random

LOG_FILE ="sensor_log.txt"

print("Robot program started")

whileTrue:
sensor_value = [Link](20,50)
print("Sensor value:", sensor_value)

withopen(LOG_FILE,"a")as file:
[Link](f"Sensor value: {sensor_value}\n")

if sensor_value >35:
print("ACTION: Cooling system ON")
else:
print("ACTION: System normal")

[Link](2)

E. Code Explanation (SHORT & CLEAR)

import time
Used for delay control ( sleep ).

import random
Used to simulate a sensor.

LOG_FILE = "sensor_log.txt"
Stores the file name in one place (clean practice).

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 while True:
Infinite loop → robot keeps running.

[Link](20, 50)
Generates fake sensor data
(later replaced by Arduino data).

open(LOG_FILE, "a")
"a" = append mode
Adds data without deleting old data

with open(...) as file:

Safely opens & closes the file automatically.

[Link](...)
Writes sensor value into the log file.
\n → moves to next line.

if sensor_value > 35
Decision logic (robot behavior).

[Link](2)
Controls sampling rate
(1 reading every 2 seconds).

F. What happens when you run it

1. Program starts
2. Sensor value generated
3. Value printed to terminal

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 4. Value written to file
5. Action decided
6. Program waits
7. Loop repeats

G. Output locations (IMPORTANT)

Output Type Where it appears
print() Terminal
Logged data sensor_log.txt

H. Engineer’s mindset (VERY IMPORTANT)

Terminal output → temporary
Log file → permanent evidence
Real robots rely on logs, not screens.

I. Key robotics pattern learned

READ → DECIDE → LOG → WAIT → REPEAT

This is universal in robotics.

Functions are IMPORTANT in robotics.

To convert a messy robot program into a clean, readable, reusable one.
import time
import random
LOG_FILE = "sensor_log.txt"

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 def read_sensor():
"""Simulates reading a sensor"""
return [Link](20, 50)
def log_data(value):
"""Logs sensor value to a file"""
with open(LOG_FILE, "a") as file:
[Link](f"Sensor value: {value}\n")
def decide_action(value):
"""Decides what action to take"""
if value > 35:
print("ACTION: Cooling system ON")
else:
print("ACTION: System normal")
print("Robot program started")
while True:
sensor_value = read_sensor()
print("Sensor value:", sensor_value)

log_data(sensor_value)
decide_action(sensor_value)

[Link](2)

SERIAL COMMUNICATION (CONCEPT ONLY)

First: what “serial communication” actually means
Serial communication =
data sent one value at a time, in sequence, over a channel.

NOTE ( ”general” ): (base) sreeparvathyanand@sreeparvathys-MacBook-Air ~

%

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 Breakdown:
(base) → Conda environment (ignore for now, not a problem)
sreeparvathyanand → your username
MacBook-Air → your computer name
~ → home directory
% → READY FOR COMMANDS
👉 The % is the key symbol
This means: “Type terminal commands here.”
If you see % → type system commands

If you see >>> → type Python code

STEP 5 — SERIAL COMMUNICATION USING pyserial

Purpose
To enable Python ↔ microcontroller communication using serial ports.

What is Serial Communication

Data sent byte by byte
Line-based ( \n )
Used by Arduino, sensors, embedded systems

Why pyserial
Python cannot access serial ports by default.
pyserial provides:
Port access
Read / write functions

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 Baud-rate control

Serial Port
Communication channel
Examples:
macOS/Linux: /dev/[Link]…

Windows: COM3

In simulation: loop://

Loopback ( loop:// )
Virtual serial port
Sent data is received back
Used for testing without hardware

Core Functions Used

Function Purpose
[Link]() Open real port
serial_for_url() Open virtual port
.write() Send data
.readline() Receive data
.encode() String → bytes
.decode() Bytes → string

Data Flow
SEND → SERIAL PORT → RECEIVE

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 Same logic for real Arduino.

Key Rule
Serial communication works with bytes, not strings.

Mapping to Real Arduino

Simulation Real Arduino
loop:// /dev/[Link]

.write() [Link]()

.readline() Python reading Arduino

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