How to Install the IPRE Python

The Institute for Personal Robotics in Education (IPRE) proposes that computer engineering education should include the study of robots and robotics. Part of this goal is realized in the institutions release of software to facilitate robotics instruction in the form of the Myro project. The Myro project is written entirely in Python and is intended for use in introductory computing courses. Accordingly, the Myro project has variations on most operating systems, with different installation instructions for each.

Things You'll Need

• Computer Operating System (Either Linux, Windows, or MacOS)

Instructions

Linux Installation

1. Download and run "pyserial" from sourceforge.net/projects/pyserial/files/pyserial.

2. Download and install the Myro Python script from myro.roboteducation.org/download.

3. Copy the "Start Python" Python Script from svn.cs.brynmawr.edu/viewvc/Myro/trunk/Start Python.pyw?view=co and save it into a file named "Start Python.pyw."

4. Copy the script bindings and configuration extensions from svn.cs.brynmawr.edu/viewvc/Myro/trunk/misc to your idlelib directory.

5. Install additional packages for additional functionality. For image and camera use, install the Python Image Library from pythonware.com. For image manipulation, download Numerical Python (numpy) libraries from nump.scipy.org.

Mac Installation

1. Download and install Python 2.5 from python.org.

2. Download and install the Mac Myro Installer from http://wiki.roboteducation.org/MacOSX_Setup. For MacOS version 10.5 (Leopard), use the basic installer. For MacOS 10.6 (Snow Leopord), use the beta installer located on the same page.

3. Download and install the Numpy Libraries and the PIL libraries from pythonmac.org

4. Upgrade Myro using the following commands in the Python interpreter:

   >>>from myro import *
   >>>upgrade("myro")
   >>>exit()

Windows Installation

1. Download the Myro zip file from wiki.roboteducation.org/Windows_Setup.

2. Unzip the file.

3. In the unzipped directory, run the "install.bat" file to install the program . Windows Vista and Windows 7 users should make sure to run the program as administrator.

References

• IPRE: Myro Installation Manual