[Quadruped]

Programming the Quadruped with Block Coding in PictoBlox

Description

Learn how to build and control the Quarky Quadruped robot using block coding in the PictoBlox coding education software. With PictoBlox, you can program the Quadruped to walk, dance, and do other cool moves!

Software Used: PictoBlox
Difficulty Level: Beginners
Category: Quarky Quadruped Kit, Tutorial

Introduction

The Quarky Quadruped robot is a four–legged robot inspired by spiders and capable of maintaining its balance while walking. It uses 8 servo motors and 2 degrees of freedom in each leg assembly to create different movements and maintain stability. This robot is simple to build yet powerful in exploration and stability!

The robot is programmable with PictoBlox. PictoBlox is coding education software that uses both graphical block-based coding and Python programming.

With PictoBlox, you can program the Quadruped to walk, dance, and do other cool moves! You can also create your own actions with special servo motors and servo oscillators.

If you haven’t installed PictoBlox, please follow the instructions:

Windows Installer (.exe)

STEP 1: Download the Pictoblox Installer (.exe) for Windows 7 and above (Release Notes).

STEP 2: Run the .exe file.

Some of the device gives the warning popup. You don’t have to worry, this software is harmless. Click on More info and then click on Run anyway.

STEP 3: Rest of the installation is straight forward, you can follow the popup and check on the option appropriate for your need.

Your software is now installed!

macOS Installer

STEP 1: Download the Pictoblox Installer (.dmg).

STEP 2: Run the .dmg file.

Mobile App Installer

STEP 1: Open Google Play Store on your Smartphone and and search for PictoBlox or visit the link here to head over to the Google Play Store. You can even scan the QR Code below from your Smartphone to head to the PictoBlox App.

STEP 2: Install the PictoBlox App.

Connecting Quarky with PictoBlox

Let’s begin by first connecting Quarky to PictoBlox. Select your preferred type of device i.e. either the desktop/laptop or your smartphone and follow the instructions.

Desktop

Follow the steps below for connecting Quarky to PictoBlox:

First, connect Quarky to your laptop using a USB cable.
Next, open PictoBlox on your desktop.
After that, select Block as your coding environment.
Then, click the Board button in the toolbar and select board as Quarky.
Next, select the appropriate Serial port if the Quarky is connected via USB or the Bluetooth Port if you want to connect Quarky via Bluetooth and press Connect.
Click on the Upload Firmware button. This will upload the latest firmware in Quarky.

Note: If your device already has the latest firmware, then PictoBlox will show the message – Firmware is already updated. For learning more you can refer to this tutorial: https://ai.thestempedia.com/docs/quarky/quarky-toubleshooting/updating-quarky-firmaware-with-pictoblox/
Once the firmware is uploaded, Quarky starts the Getting Started program. This runs only for the first time. Run through it.

And voila! Quarky is now connected to PictoBlox.

Mobile

Follow the steps below for connecting Quarky to PictoBlox:

First, power ON Quarky.
Open PictoBlox on your smartphone. Go to My Space and make a new project by clicking the ‘+(plus)’ button in the bottom-right corner.
Then, tap the Board button in the top-right corner of the toolbar.
Select board as Quarky.
Next, tap the Connect button:
Select your device from the list.

And voila! Quarky is now connected to PictoBlox.

Quadruped Extension

The Quadruped extension in PictoBlox allows you to control the robot. It has blocks for specific applications. To add the Quadruped extension follow the instructions:

Click on the Add Extension button and add the Quarky Quadruped extension.
You can find the Quarky Quadruped blocks available in the project.

PictoBlox Blocks for Quadruped

The following blocks are available for the Quadruped:

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Turn () video on stage with () % transparency block controls the control the camera feed on the stage.

This block helps move an object step by step in a given direction within a set time

This block facilitates seamless transitions to your preferred scenes. For instance, if you’re currently viewing Scene 1 and wish to switch to Scene 2, simply select Scene 2 from the dropdown menu to enact the transition.

This block is designed to refresh or reload the current scene.

This block code will give an option to control the object as player control like third person or first person. You can then use arrow keys to make your object move in respective direction.