# AVA BLE Remote > iPhone Bluetooth Low Energy remote control for robots and drones. (iPhone/iPad app by Reefwing Software.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ava-ble-remote/id1073023233 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Reefwing Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/356051743) - Category: Utilities, Education - Price: Free - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 10.0 · 1 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2016-01-20 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ava-ble-remote/id1073023233/reviews.md ## What is AVA BLE Remote? Any self respecting autonomous robot needs a remote control. If you want to use an iPhone as your controller then Bluetooth is one of the better communication options for directing your robot / drone / whatever. This app has been designed to work with the Romeo BLE and Bluno boards from DFRobot. The Bluno is a combination of an Arduino and a Bluetooth shield. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which is compatible with iOS 7.0+ devices: iPhone 5+，iPad 3+，iPad Mini，and iPod 5th Gen (note that Bluetooth LE capability is required). Getting Started: The Connection Screen. When the app starts, it will open the connection tab and display any compatible BLE devices which are within range. To connect to a device just tap on its name. If the connection is successful, the word connected will be displayed and the communication indicator "LEDs" will turn from flashing blue to green. You can start a manual search for BLE devices by tapping the search (magnifying glass) icon in the top right of the connection screen. You can stop the search by tapping the disconnect device button (a cross) in the top left. If you are already connected to a BLE device, tapping the disconnect device button will disconnect you. You can only attach to one BLE device at a time. Setting a Task: The Task tab allows you to send a tasking message to your Bluno. Tapping a task will transmit the tasking ID (e.g. 1) via Bluetooth. Tap the add button (+) to add your own tasks. Tap Edit to delete or rearrange the tasks. Tapping "Default Tasks" will reload the task list that comes with the app. Controlling your BLE Device: The Control tab acts as a virtual gamepad for your BLE device. The currently selected task is displayed at the top of the screen. Tapping the function keys (F1 to F4) will send the designated character via Bluetooth to your BLE Device. The function keys will also adjust the speed. F1 = 25%, F2 = 50%, F3 = 75% and F4 = 100%. The speed is sent automatically. Similarly, tapping the directional dPad or stop button will send the character assigned to those buttons. You can change the characters which are transmitted from the key mapping option in the console tab. The default mappings are: F1 w F2 x F3 y F4 z Up Arrow f Down Arrow b Left Arrow l Right Arrow r Stop s The speed slider will send the selected speed in the following format: - start byte: ! // Which indicates that the next byte is speed - speed byte // encoded as an unsigned char (0-255). We are using 0 - 100. Messages received from the BLE device are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The Console: The console tab allows you to send any character strings that you wish to the Bluno / Romeo. Just type the message in the text field and tap Send. Any received messages will be displayed below. The console tab also contains the system log which records various events, such as device discovery, connection, data transmission and disconnection. You can email the system log by tapping the mail button in the top right of the screen. Tap the settings (gear icon) button if you wish to change the keys mapped to the Control buttons. Romeo / Bluno Code: Sample code to allow you to test the app is available from the Reefwing Gist Repository (https://gist.github.com/reefwing/b6b51197ffe1b238fdbfc558a0c26e56). A full description of how to set up the hardware and software may be found at the Reefwing Robotics Blog (http://reefwingrobotics.blogspot.com.au/). Notes: With a Romeo BLE mounted on the DFRobot Devastator Tank mobility platform I noticed that at full speed the Romeo would sometimes reboot due to excessive current draw on the batteries. If you are losing the BLE link you should check whether this is happening to you. It is hard to pick up as the boards reboot so quickly. Further Information: You can get further information and support for this app at the Reefwing Robotics Blog (http://reefwingrobotics.blogspot.com.au/). ## Key features - Connect to BLE devices - Send custom tasks - Virtual gamepad controls - Adjustable speed control - Key mapping customization - View received messages - System event logging ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ava-ble-remote/id1073023233/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Made my day *2024-05-30, version 1.5* With a 4 yrs old wanting his DFrobot Devastator tank in action again I found Go ble but it didn’t work, so several days here and there found this on GitHub, nice bit of code with this App advised. Worked first time. I now have one happy rug rat. ### 5/5 — Works first time *2023-08-30, version 1.5* I downloaded this app as it was the only way I could control my Romeo BLE board. The GoBLE App that is sued is no longer available. I searched around on Git Hub for available options and found the code I needed and this was the App that was also written for it. Plenty of options to tweak it yourself but it simply worked first time with my Devastator Robot Tank. ## Frequently asked questions about AVA BLE Remote ### What devices is AVA BLE Remote compatible with? AVA BLE Remote is compatible with iOS 7.0+ devices including iPhone 5+, iPad 3+, iPad Mini, and iPod 5th Gen. It requires Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capability. The app is designed to work with DFRobot's Romeo BLE and Bluno boards. ### How do I connect AVA BLE Remote to a device? When the app starts, navigate to the connection screen. Any compatible BLE devices within range will be displayed. Simply tap on the device's name to connect. A successful connection is indicated by the word 'connected' and a green communication indicator. ### Can I customize the control buttons in AVA BLE Remote? Yes, you can customize the characters transmitted by the function keys and directional pad. This is done through the key mapping option in the console tab. The app also allows you to add and manage your own custom tasks. ### Does AVA BLE Remote support controlling multiple devices at once? No, AVA BLE Remote only allows you to connect to and control one BLE device at a time. Tapping the disconnect button will end the current connection. ### What is the update frequency for AVA BLE Remote? The app was last updated on August 26, 2018, with version 1.5 being the latest. This indicates a less frequent update schedule for the application. ### Is AVA BLE Remote suitable for younger users? AVA BLE Remote has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger users. The interface is designed for controlling devices, which can be an engaging activity for children with adult supervision. ### Does AVA BLE Remote have ads? No, AVA BLE Remote does not contain advertisements. The application is free to download and use without any ad interruptions. ### What are the default control mappings in AVA BLE Remote? The default mappings for AVA BLE Remote are: F1=w, F2=x, F3=y, F4=z. The directional dPad defaults to Up=f, Down=b, Left=l, Right=r, and the Stop button is 's'. ## Version history (last 2 releases) ### 1.5 — 2018-08-26 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. - BLE signal strength added (RSSI) - Clear Log button added. - Function keys adjust speed. F1 = 25%, F2 = 50%, F3 = 75% and F4 = 100%. Adjusted speed is sent automatically. - In the Control Tab, the speed slider will send the selected speed (when Send is tapped) in the following format: start byte: ! // Which indicates that the next byte is speed speed byte // encoded as an unsigned char (0-255). We are using 0 - 100. You will need to update the code in your Arduino to make use of these features. Sample code is available at: https://gist.github.com/reefwing/b6b51197ffe1b238fdbfc558a0c26e56 ### 1.0 — 2016-01-20 This update is signed with Apple’s latest signing certificate. No new features are included. ## Apps similar to AVA BLE Remote | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Bluetooth Scanner & BLE Finder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-scanner-and-ble-finder/id6478163507) | 4.4 (354) | Free | Utilities | | [Find Bluetooth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/find-bluetooth/id1456289142) | 4.3 (12) | $1.99 | Utilities | | [YI Home +.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yi-home-plus/id6736988295) | 4.3 (85) | Free | Utilities | | [Find My Devices: Device Finder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/find-my-devices-device-finder/id6740751025) | 4.5 (8) | Free | Utilities | | [Spot Bluetooth Finder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spot-bluetooth-finder/id1637906029) | 4.7 (46) | Free | Utilities | | [find my headphones tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/find-my-headphones-tracker/id6451211122) | — | Free | Utilities | ## More apps by Reefwing Software - [Life Audit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/life-audit/id365471153) - [Number Converter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/number-converter/id380921203) - [Personality](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/personality/id413840024) - [Ink Blot Profile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ink-blot-profile/id513472360) - [Response](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/response/id1162391511) All apps by Reefwing Software: https://appshunter.io/developer/356051743 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*