LEGO Powered Up app update with customizable controls!

Here is the update for the LEGO Powered Up app that we really wanted to see for a long time - we can finally create our own control interface! Check out the whole process and the details in the video!
If you'd like to see more LEGO® RC fun then please follow me on Instagram, on my Facebook page or on my blog:
/ racing.brick
/ racingbrick
www.racingbrick.com

[@zachcheung8400]

Definitely a much needed update that really expands the functionality of PU for many kinds of models. Still some things that could be improved, but pretty good update.

[@ZEROBRICKS]

Finally getting there. Thanks for this in-depth review. Now if only there was an option to create some basic profiles and share them...

[@RacingBrick]

That works in Boost so this should be also in the pipeline. The major problem with Powered Up is the speed of development and the releases, they can't arrive soon enough.

[@McKrushi]

In the eurobricks forum someone said, that you can share profiles with Lego Life. But I'm not sure if this doesn't only apply to screenshots, I did not take a closer look at the app.

[@RacingBrick]

@@McKrushi not in this app for sure

[@emanym3909]

Thanks again! You should get paid by Lego for the work you put in Videos like this, because you're doing their Job.

[@RacingBrick]

I'm doing my best to help people to use the system, hopefully LEGO will also recognize the importance of information sharing.

[@artyjaycayairlines]

@@RacingBrick Also, I liked this video!

[@charleydumas5514]

WOW! Finally! Didn't know the update was there, thanks a lot for the video.

[@Unbrickme]

I think this update, plus the third party cables for power functions to powered up, might actually make the new system on par with power functions finally

[@McKrushi]

If you include adapter cables PU is by far better than PF.

[@Unbrickme]

@@McKrushi I still wouldn't say that PU is far better than PF. I'd say that PU is reaching as point to where its becoming equals with the PF system, but the PF system, is still better I'd say. For one, the physical controllers. The physical controllers for the PF system, are so customizable! You can connect up to 4 controllers in a row to control various functions and you can build on top of them. One thing about the phone based control which I don't like, is that its just sliding fingers on a screen, you don't get any Taptic feedback at the moment (though maybe it can come with an update), and the phone controller just doesn't feel natural. Also most of the time my finger will slip or go beyond the slider, resulting in uncomfortable control. Yes I know you can connect the PU controller via phone and reprogram it but its not the same.

[@McKrushi]

@@Unbrickme Well, if the "I have to use a phone" argument is the one-above-all argument for you, then yes, I agree PU is not equal to PF and probably never will be. :D

[@tombiegel1060]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@searme]

Very helpful video! They really dropped the ball on that Large Angular motor, didn't they?

[@RacingBrick]

I have no clue why they did not add the support yet, perhaps they thought that support was added with the Spike Prime variant and forgot to enable this version :) But I reached out to the team and they are looking into it.

[@McKrushi]

@@RacingBrick "You reached out to the team"? Why am I imagine a very long stick with a glove at the end to slap them? :X But it is interesting that it sounds like, that they thought it should work xD

[@RacingBrick]

@@McKrushi that's only my assumption, probably wrong :) And slapping the guys there wouldn't be very wise, I'd stick to a friendly nudge :D

[@artyjaycayairlines]

HI! I SUBSCRIBED TO BOTH SARIEL AND RACING BRICK!

[@KnightIA]

@@artyjaycayairlines same

[@SebastianFischer]

Thanks for your dedication and thanks for testing the angular motor of the Volvo set. Sad enough it's still not working.

[@MarcMas07]

cool video like always Racingbrick!

[@Ziontastic]

They should combine the spike prime app and powered up app. Thanks for always teaching us Blass!

[@bishoyhanna974]

Thats the best video describing how to use those controls, I'm (Programmer/Software Architect) and couldn't figure out how to link those custom controls. Its not easy and intuitive like scratch though its v similar. Really million thanks for this video.(with all its hacks)

[@michaelhowell8412]

Thanks! This app update is long overdue

[@murdechoc]

wow nice !!

[@ancezeigure]

Usefull video. I will test it out!

[@RacingBrick]

It's a very old video and the interface has changed since then, I suggest to find something newer

[@legoallaround]

Wowzers!

[@grohl666]

Great and very helpful. I will make sure to share your feedback.

[@RacingBrick]

Thank you, really appreciated!

[@artyjaycayairlines]

I liked this video

[@obocode]

köszi, szép munka

[@murdechoc]

Wow this update does nice things. The nicest thing is it didn't save the patch I made the other day, lol.

[@SuperkTechnic]

Aaah, that’s a shame that even with this update the servomotor from the volvo remains useless out of the original Control+ profile. Great video !

[@xpfireworks680]

Hey, do you know if they now support the servomotors in the app (version 3.6.0)? In the changelog they mention "We've enable new motors in the Powered Up family."...

[@RacingBrick]

If you mean the angular motor, yes it is supported now

[@xpfireworks680]

@@RacingBrick Nice, thanks

[@MikkoRantalainen]

Wow! I would have never guessed that the cardboard box icon means a variable. I wish there was an option to change all the icons to text or mathematical symbols.

[@44Bigs]

Man I would have never figured out how to do any of this. This app needs more documentation or examples!

[@willylee2677]

ever tried on moc like on 42096? love the app control portion of it

[@lbbde1]

The Joystick widget should be a square and not a circle. In a square the corners would be maximum x and y offset and therefor allow to steer on full speed. I hope this will change in the future

[@timbadger5159]

At 5:48 you mention that the train fans are left out because the sliders can't be left at a set speed. I have found that they can - if you slide them to the place and quickly let go, it will stay at the set speed until you touch it again. I have tested a number of times and it seems to work quite well for the most part. Hope that helps.

[@RacingBrick]

At this point I think it is more like a bug and not a feature, but thanks for highlighting it :)

[@theduggo1]

Thanks so much, great video and very helpful. I'm sure you've shown this in other videos since this time, but if anyone else runs into these comments, just FYI the angular motor is now supported and I was able to fully control the volvo articulated hauler using a custom controller that mimicked the basic techniques you've shown here. Again, great job and thanks!

[@martinsleguizamon]

The Large Angular motor from the Spike works. This is a surprise since both Large Angular motors (Volvo and Spike sets) suppose to be internally the same. Any ideas if the Spike ‘s Ultrasonic, Color and Force sensors will be supported by this App in the future ?

[@RacingBrick]

All Powered Up hardware should be supported sooner or later, the only question is when - will it be in 3 months or 3 years?

[@manuel0578]

Maybe the never time out function refers to the screen not turning off anymore with it activated?

[@RacingBrick]

Yes, apparently that's the case

[@jijbuis1]

Thank you very much for this (and your other) very informative video! Being a Technic/Powered Up newbie, I find them very helpful! :-) Question: Using this updated PU app, is it possible to use the Powered Up remote (88010) with the Technic hub (88012), while maintaining the Servo function of the Technic L motor (88013)? I would like my MOC to have servo steering, meaning that it will always return to center, just like it does in set 42099, but I don't like using my smartphone to control it. If possible, I want to use the PU remote (88010) to control the steering as well. Would that work?

[@RacingBrick]

You can see a simple remote control for the cars here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn3Fo2epnpeEnNU

[@defaultdaniel]

With your help I got this working for my 42099 4x4. Definitely confusing as hell, but I followed your setup and it works pretty well. I did notice the control sliders get "stuck" sometimes. Like for example, if I leave my finger on accelerate it will stay at that speed, and the slider won't reset back to the median. Ever experience this?

[@RacingBrick]

Did experience this maybe once but not something I could replicate. May depend on the speed of your device or other circumstances.

[@Fahrengate]

Compared to joystick controller apps this one is soo unnecessarily hard in use.. In fact even after watching few videos including yours - still couldn't make simple controls to make a car move and turn. May be getting old or something.. Still thanks for providing info

[@rolki9857]

Do you use the same hub as it was before?

[@McKrushi]

Finally.... :D But one thing: 6:46 Joystick Control That's not realy a solveable problem. You need a different control with a rectengular area and not a circle. Or you have to define speed as radius and angular to y-axes as steering with a dead-zone from center for the speed. PU has the necessary math blocks (atan2) to keep the calculation short, but with a circle it's never perfect. That the angular motor still not works is hilarious... -.- Maybe next week with mindstorms... or I should buy a single spike prime motor :< Trains: Maybe use the slide as a control for the acceleration.

[@RacingBrick]

I thought about using the radius for speed with a dedicated block, should not be that difficult. I think buying a spike prime motor is the safest way to go at the moment, don't think the Mindstorms release will affect the PU update as that set does not have a large angular motor anyway. The train idea is good but again requires a lot of coding, a simple slider without return to zero would be really necessary to be used with the simple speed control block for the non-coder masses.

[@dazley8021]

Is that large angular motor supported by now? Also I've seen BuWizz making a 3rd version of their control hub with both PF and PU ports, are you going to test it?

[@RacingBrick]

Yes it is supported. I'll test it when it will be released :)

[@kiko_meeko]

Would you be able to help me make a control? Im trying to make a custom control that is a copy of the built-in Crocodile Locomotive controls that can be used with a train motor. Ive tried multiple things that you have shown in your videos, and all I can get to work is a simple throttle control. I would like a graduale throttle, and gradual brake that activates the braking sound effect. I am using v.3.7.0. Any ideas on how to do this, or do you have any images of coding for this? Thank you!

[@msk6003]

I have one simple question which everyone don't ask. When can I share program with other person? And some another question. We have spike motor support. So whan we can get spike sensor support?

[@RacingBrick]

The "when" questions are almost never answered. They are working on it, we'll get it when it be ready for the public.

[@matrixpiealt7127]

Halo

[@harisbg5210]

More info on this

[@legohouse3422]

❤😊❤

[@CY5588]

I have only powered up motors

[@vishark6247]

4th pls can u post instructions for free on how to make a buggy w/ 2 l motors and 1 servo and buwizz pls?

[@gamemasterksdude280]

rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-4247/agrof/class-1-unlimited-buggy/#details No need, here you go!

[@vishark6247]

@@gamemasterksdude280 Thx dude i rlly wish i could build it tho thx anways!

[@manuel0578]

They still haven’t fixed the UI scaling issues on iOS

[@RacingBrick]

I'm just speculating but for that they'd need to enable scaling for the control elements in the editor as well, hope to see it coming with the customizable widgets

[@CoolStuffOrigami]

So does this mean that Control+ is now MOC friendly?

[@RacingBrick]

Control+ is not more MOC friendly since that is the app for the official sets ;) But Powered Up is definitely becoming better with customization.

[@crazyivan030983]

When they do this for Control+?

[@RacingBrick]

*This is* for Control+, as Control+ is only the app and the "brand" for the LEGO Technic sets equipped with Powered Up hardware. The Powered Up app is the one that provides you customizable controls for these sets.

[@guidogiuseppepasquot7853]

Finaaaally i can make a WiFi sentry gun with the hub

[@Unbrickme]

I'd use the spike prime hub for that, since a sentry gun should be fully autonomous, not something that relies on a secure connection to your mobile device

[@ianfrancisco2827]

Hola mesas un corazón

[@sixteen1557]

Second

[@CY5588]

Can you please make a video on how to motorise 42093 with power up？

[@RacingBrick]

the PU 2 port hub does not fit in the Corvette, you can use it to motorize the Hot Rod, I have a Power Functions mod that could be adapted to Powered Up.

[@CY5588]

But there's no power up servo

[@RacingBrick]

Because there are multiple motors that can be used as a servo, like the L or the XL motor

[@CY5588]

Ok

[@CY5588]

My dad said that I cannot buy instructions from your website

[@CY5588]

In three months

[@SimonLaudati]

Still too much complicated for me. BrickController2 approach is still better imho

[@RacingBrick]

Different purpose, different possibilities. But PU would definitely need a more simple interface besides the coding canvas.

[@osik6746]

0:48 Čeština

[@giobaxNXT]

Great video as usual! Specially for the powered up series where you cover the lack of documentation from Lego! For the 2D analog stick it work right with some programmig. I just uploaded a small video avout this, take a look if you want kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4iUYp9-jduiorM

[@RacingBrick]

Great solution, thanks for sharing it!

[@manuel0578]

It’s really frustrating that none of the coding blocks are documented