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Bumblebee Updates

  • Updated

November 17, 2022

As of November 17, 2022 at 12:30pm PST, all Bumblebees will start receiving a new software update (0.0.9) that addresses issues related to consistency in attaching to and validating Flowers. Users have reported trouble, for example, when a BB moves from a covered hex, to an uncovered hex, and then back to a covered hex, the BB was struggling to reattach to the network. This fix addresses this use-case. Additionally, users have reported frequent need to reboot their BBs to attach to a Flower, which this software update mitigates but does not fully resolve. We are still investigating solutions on both the Flower and the Bumblebee hardware side to fully resolve this issue. 

Several other improvements are in this software update, including: 

  • Internal optimizations for lighter updates and lower CPU usage
  • System light now fast blinks red when BB is receiving updates
  • Boot light sequence now goes from right to left instead of left to right

To receive this update, please ensure your Bumblebee is plugged in to power and connected to a nearby Flower for at least 30 minutes. 

 

July 13, 2022

As of 10am PST Wednesday, July 13th, all BBs have received a new firmware update that addresses several power supply issues that were witnessed with the Bumblebees that began shipping in June.

Symptoms of this power supply issue include:

  • Bumblebees not turning on or only seeing the first light come on
  • Bumblebees rebooting after connecting to a Flower
  • Bumblebees not powering correctly with power banks and supplies that work for other Bumblebees
 
Did my Bumblebee receive the update?
To check if your device received the update, please power cycle your Bumblebee and wait 3-4 minutes for it to reboot. If your BB has received the update, you will see a special light sequence (as shown in the video below) after boot. If you have not received the update, and suspect that your BB requires the update, please leave it plugged in for 30 minutes so it has time to receive the update, and then complete a power cycle.
 
 
Still having issues? General questions? Please submit a Bumblebee support ticket.
 
Power Supply Guidance
Bumblebees require a power supply outputting 10 - 20W, rated for no more than 5V. Please double check that your power supply does not exceed 5V. If it does, you risk burning your Bumblebee.
Here are recommending power options:
 
 

FAQ

How do I know if my Bumblebee was impacted?
If your BB has exhibited any of the symptoms described above on a consistent basis, you could have been impacted by the power issue. Please note that failure to receive rewards for a given day does not necessarily mean your Bumblebee has the power supply issue.
 
Will I get backpay if my Bumblebee was impacted?
If your Bumblebee successfully uploaded logs from June 18 - July 13th, you will receive backpay for amounts that were not previously distributed. Backpay will apply to both Bumblebees and Flowers (as Flowers receive rewards based on BB validation).
 
When will I receive backpay?
We are still processing through the logs (it’s a lot of data), and anticipate backpay to start being sent out Friday July 15th.
 
Can I get a discount, a free Bumblebee or some other perk?
We’re doing the following for folks who were impacted by both the delay in Bumblebee shipments from the Emergence drop, and also those who were unable to purchase a Bumblebee in recent drops because of inventory:
 
1) 25% discount on a future Bee purchase
2) Access to a private Bumblebee sale for all those who purchased Flowers during the CalChip Elderflower drops and Greenhouse Dandelion drops (who did not receive a Bumblebee)

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