Cannot connect to Vector (robot) SDK

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Cannot connect to Vector (robot) SDK

I am trying to connect to an SDK for a robot I want to program, called the Anki Vector. I have tried every troubleshooting method on the Vector site, and it is not a problem with the robot or its connection to the Internet. I think the problem might be something with the Wifi I am using, or that there might be a block that is preventing me from connecting to this device through Wifi. Basically, my computer and my robot are both connected to the same password protected Wifi network, but I am getting the error:

Unable to connect to Vector

Please be sure to connect via the Vector companion app first, and connect your computer to the same network as your Vector.

Any help is much appreciated! Thank you.

Posted on Jul 17, 2019 10:40 AM

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Answer 1

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Tesserax

Level 10

160,490 points

Jul 17, 2019 2:01 PM in response to carolyne64

I'm assuming that 10.253.0.N is the local private IP address range of your network. That both the robot (@ 10.253.0.254) & your Mac (@ 10.253.0.?) are both on the same subnet ... correct? If so, then yes, there appears to be an issue with your Mac connecting to the robot. I have a sneaking suspicion that both devices may not be assigned IPs in the same subnet.

If you go to System Preference > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > TCP/IP, what values do your Mac get for the IP address, Subnet Mask, & Router?

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

160,490 points

Jul 17, 2019 1:50 PM in response to carolyne64

Well, to verify a network issue or not, try pinging the robot.

To do so, run the Terminal app, located in /Applications/Utilities. At the command prompt, enter: ping -c3 <the IP address of the robot>. If successful, it would respond with "3 packets transmitted, 3 packets received, 0.0% packet loss". Type: exit to exit the Terminal app.

If the ping was successful, the network between the devices is not the issue. It may be the installation of the SDK or it may have installed but not properly configured. Unfortunately, I won't be able to help you much if that's the case.

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Answer 3

Tesserax

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160,490 points

Jul 17, 2019 1:32 PM in response to carolyne64

Please forgive my "thick" head, but I just want to make sure I understand. You can install, and run the SDK, but it cannot communicate with the robot OR you can't even install the SDK onto your Mac?

If it is the former, if you open a Terminal session on your Mac, can you ping the robot successfully? For the latter, I'm not sure I can offer any assistance.

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Answer 4

carolyne64 Author

Level 1

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Jul 17, 2019 10:53 AM in response to Tesserax

Hi,

Thanks for replying! The Vector SDK does run on a Mac, and the Vector Companion App runs on my iPhone. The app works fine and I can alter the Vector through the app, and I can also ask the robot questions when the robot is disconnected form the app and it answers. I am attempting to run the SDK on my Mac and it is supposed to be compatible but I am having trouble.

Also, Vector gets local IP address based on the network it is connected to.

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

160,490 points

Jul 17, 2019 1:11 PM in response to carolyne64

I'm assuming that the purpose of the SDK is for application development ... correct? Is this for developing an app for a Mac or for an iOS device, like your iPhone? ... or am I missing the point of this SDK altogether? Sorry, I'm not familiar with the Vector.

If I understand correctly, you use the Companion app on your iPhone to control the robot and that works fine. So we are not talking about a connectivity issue here. Do you use the SDK, running on the Mac, to "test out" commands to the robot, and then, build an updated version of the iPhone app? If I'm close, is the issue getting the SDK application to "talk" to the robot? ... or that this application does not run at all?

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Answer 6

carolyne64 Author

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8 points

Jul 17, 2019 1:26 PM in response to Tesserax

The purpose of the SDK is so I can run a module on the robot, so sort of like an app but for a robotic device that is not Apple technology (not a Mac or iOS). I do not have control over the iPhone app and what it can do, only Anki Vector (the company) can. So what I want to do is use the SDK to run my own modules on Vector, independent of the app. I will be using the SDK running on the Mac to test out commands, but I will never update them onto the Companion app. Indeed, I need the SDK to talk to the robot. The Companion app is working fine, but the only reason I care about that is because it shows that Vector is able to connect to a device through WIfi, yet for some reason it won't connect to my Mac and allow me to set up the SDK.

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Answer 7

carolyne64 Author

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8 points

Jul 17, 2019 1:35 PM in response to Tesserax

The fact that you're experienced enough to help me proves that your head is not "thick" at all :) I can install the Python installation for the SDK but I cannot configure it, so basically I believe that means it can't install altogether. I think its a networking issue between my computer, the Vector and the wifi. Thanks so much for your time and attempt to help!

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Answer 8

carolyne64 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 17, 2019 1:54 PM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for that suggestion! I did that and my result is:

PING 10.253.0.254 (10.253.0.254): 56 data bytes

Request timeout for icmp_seq 0

Request timeout for icmp_seq 1

--- 10.253.0.254 ping statistics ---

3 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100.0% packet loss

So the network between devices is the issue? Maybe the iPhone-->vector is fine but the Mac-->vector is not?

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Answer 9

carolyne64 Author

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8 points

Jul 17, 2019 2:10 PM in response to Tesserax

Hello, you were absolutely right! I asked one of the tech support members if they had an idea, turns out my Vector was not registered with the Wifi network. Thanks so much for your help, problem solved.

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Answer 10

Tesserax

Level 10

160,490 points

Jul 17, 2019 2:16 PM in response to carolyne64

You're very welcome! I'm glad you got it worked out.

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Answer 11

Tesserax

Level 10

160,490 points

Jul 17, 2019 10:50 AM in response to carolyne64

Let's start with a few questions, if you don't mind?

Does the Vector Companion app run on a Mac? If so, is it compatible with the version of macOS running on this Mac? You posted in the macOS High Sierra area, so I assume that is what this Mac is running ... correct?
Does the robot get a local IP address when it is connected to your wireless network? ... or is it pre-configured with a static IP address?

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Answer 12

Jul 17, 2019 2:12 PM in response to carolyne64

Maybe someone here can help: https://forums.anki.com/login

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Cannot connect to Vector (robot) SDK

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