The fischertechnik TXT 4.0 Controller
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Firmware 3.1.11

Firmware 3.1.10

• Adding TXT-API 6.4.2
• Fixing hanging Motor after using interface test in Robo Pro Coding

Firmware 3.1.9

• Updated txtapi -> 6.4.1 (RGB color sensor)
• Adding NTP server setting
• Adding API key to info area
• Add python3-smbus2 version 4.3.0 -> 5.0.0
• Other small changes and bug fixes

Firmware 3.1.8

• Save u-boost servo position config file
• Adding txt_run utility to run *.ft, *.c, *.cpp and *.py files from command line
• Other small changes and bug fixes
  
   

Firmware 3.1.7

• Updated txtapi -> 6.3.0 (white lines)
• Added Open Roberta Service
• Added support for general USB WLAN sticks in the WLAN setup
• Updated RT core firmware
• Changed Node-RED user directory to /opt/ft/workspaces/.node-red
• Added Node-RED user: "ft" und password: "fischertechnik"
• Updated node-red-dashboard 3.5.0 -> 3.6.3
• Fixed servos at TXT4.0 slaves
• Moved servo range and limit calculations to RT core
• Added improved internet check intervals
• Updated python libraries ft-axisrobot, ft-kinematic-solver, ft-ikpy

Firmware 3.1.6

• Update txtapi -> 6.2.2 (fischertechnik Cloud interface)
• Smaller performance optimizations
• Servos can be now calibrated to its min and max positions
• Servo ew default servo values for min 610us, center 1485us, max 2360us
• USB Ethernet adapter support
• USB attached RX Controller support
• Adding python library ft_robot (release for v3.1.6)
• Adding python library python3-sympy -> 1.3.3
• Update library paho -> 1.6.1
• Fix for Bluetooth SIG test L2CAP/COS/CFD/BV-14-C
• Fixing USB status symbol

Firmware 3.1.5

• Update txtapi -> 6.2.1 (combi sensor 6-pin, machine learning optimized model)
• Performance optimizations
• Stability optimizations at power-loss
• Support libraries for multi-axis robot
• New library SciPy added
• Update of mDNS
• Support for USB attached Wifi stick with RT5370 chipset
• Optimizations for Wifi connections
• Bug fixes for mouting USB and microSD cards
• Update AI Models
• Update of wpa_supplicant
• Update of WLAN and Bluetooth driver
• Support for BT Smart Controller attached via USB, USB joysticks, USB hubs and USB serial converters
• Update OS Yocto Thud to Yocto latest Thud
• Update Node-RED -> 3.0.2
• Node-RED can be disabled now via a new service configuration

Firmware 3.1.4

• First release

Compared to version 3.1.11, firmware version 5.0.1 offers a more modern user interface, enhanced security, improved stability, and expanded features for maintenance and development. This makes the TXT 4.0 more reliable, efficient, and user-friendly for use in both educational and professional settings.

Enhanced Security and Stability

• Latest security updates for Linux, OpenSSL, and numerous system components
• Enhanced protection through additional security mechanisms and system hardening

Modern Development Environment

• Python 3.12 for better performance and the latest language features
• Node-RED 4.1.8 with new features and enhancements
• New developer page (/developer) with documentation, templates, and extended remote debugging

Greater convenience in daily use

• Browser-based screen sharing without additional software
• Integrated web terminal for direct SSH access

Note: To update to firmware 5.0.1, firmware 3.1.11 must already be installed. Additionally, a microSD card is required for the update process.

Firmware 5.0.1

• Web server / Web UI
  • Refreshed the TxtWebserver look & feel and moved web services into TxtWebserver.
  • Added a new firmware update overview page and improved the firmware update flow (including better error/log handling).
  • Improved the Web Explorer (layout fixes, bug fixes) and fixed the download button in the TxtWebserver explorer.
  • Added dedicated service pages:
  • Added developer docs at /developer or /#developer (Python, C, C++), plus templates and improved remote debugging via debugpy.
  • Stabilized WebTerm; ensured Node-RED is reachable via /nodered and the dashboard via /ui.
  • Improved web joystick stability/compatibility (waitress/socket.io, forced threading mode) and better behavior in WLAN client mode.

• Backup / Restore / Reset to Defaults
  • Extended and hardened backup/restore (dialogs re-added/reworked, consistent media requirement checks, more robust behavior during GUI restarts).
  • Hardened “reset to defaults” (timeouts, signal/dialog fixes, layout fixes).
  • Improved SD-image / restore UX with progress dialogs/overlays; added tolerance for 4GB SD cards.
  • Added user partition repair capabilities:
    • New txt_repair_userfs utility to scan/repair userfs and restore required files/permissions
    • New HMI button and a sudoers whitelist for ftgui to execute the repair command

• Hardening & stability
  • Updated and hardened Avahi / ZeroConf / Bonjour.
  • Hardened Python path discovery.
  • Improved USB stick detection for backups (prefer mountpoints under /opt/ft/workspaces/ext_usb/*).
  • Fixed permissions/ownership issues (e.g., dav_users, ft:www-data).
  • Fixed U-Boot LED behavior.
  • Improved hostname reload behavior (when accessed via txt40.local or IP, reload using txt40-<name>.local).
  • Added an “unsecure password” warning.

• Build / CI / security
  • Integrated and fixed Trivy scanning.
  • Made CVE checks more resilient (handle NVD API rate limiting, warn on missing API key instead of failing; faster with API key).
  • Hardened the pipeline by encrypting critical deployment certificates and Nexus configuration; added preparation work for security assessment.

• Platform / base updates
  • Updated Yocto/Scarthgap with multiple security and package fixes (including OpenSSL/tzdata updates and various CVE fixes).
  • Updated the Linux kernel within the 5.10 line (ST r2.3 base with KTN-specific commits).
  • Updated meta-openembedded.

• Component updates (latest versions referenced in the changelog)
  • TXTAPI: 6.5.1
  • Node-RED: 4.1.8 (including dashboard 3.6.6, node-red-contrib-opcua 0.2.351, and other module updates)

• New tools & features
  • Added txt_util (read status values) and txttop (terminal status utility for peripherals).
  • Added volume control.
  • Moved external MQTT broker port from 1883 → 3883 (internal port remains separate).
  • Multiple text/translation and layout fixes across HMI and update dialogs (including “RUN PROGRAM”, SD image, firmware update text, icons).

• Miscellaneous fixes
  • Added missing route to /.../launch.
  • Added a reboot dialog.
  • Fixed developer examples.

User: ft

Password: fischertechnik

The TXT Controller (predecessor of the TXT 4.0 Controller) cannot be programmed with the ROBO Pro Coding App because it is not supported in this app. Please use the ROBO Pro software under Windows for the TXT Controller.
The ROBO Pro software can be downloaded via the button:

Download

Please reinstall the TXT 4.0 controller firmware by following the instructions below:

Download

Check the IP address entered in the connection dialog to ensure that it is correct. Note: Connection to the TXT 4.0 Controller is only possible after a waiting time of approx. 30 seconds after switching on the TXT 4.0 Controller.