Please use the installation guide or the Deutsche Kurzanleitung (installation guide in german) for a quick start. More infos can be found on the web site

The Fischertechnik TXT controller is a Linux driven computerized brick for the Fischertechnik construction toy.

The Fischertechnik TXT comes pre-installed with a Linux based firmware. This firmware is slightly outdated (the base system consist of parts which are all at least two years old) and doesn't make full use of the hardware capabilities of the TXT.

The community firmware aims to change this. It replaces the entire system with much newer components including an updated Linux kernel and updates for all system components. Furthermore it provides a fresh user interface and focusses on connectivity in general. It can connect to your home WiFi, to other Fischertechnik Components, to custom made controllers like ftDuino, to foreign parts like e.g. Lego WeDo bricks, and much more.

The community firmware doesn't replace the built-in original firmware. Instead it is installed on a regular micro-SD card and provides a means to leave the original untouched which being used. Simply pull out the SD card containing the community firmware to bring your TXT back into factory state.

Most discussions around the community firmware take place in the FTCommunity forum. This is a german forum but english contributions are welcome.

See the getting started guide for instructions on how to install and use the community firmware.

In the toplevel directory, type

make

This will build the entire root file system and the kernel and place the resulting files in the buildroot/output/images directory.

After the build has finished, copy the files buildroot/output/images/uImage, buildroot/output/images/am335x-kno_txt.dtb and buildroot/output/images/rootfs.img to an empty, FAT32 formatted SD card.

Shut down the TXT and remove the SD card with the ftcommunity firmware. On the next start, the TXT will boot the original Fischertechnik firmware.