Discover Mars Rover with Interactive Projects!

The Quarky Mars Rover Kit is a powerful and easy-to-use miniature version of NASA's Mars Rover, featuring the same Rocker Bogie Mechanism for stable movement on uneven surfaces. The kit is powered by 5 servo motors and 6 motors, making it easy to build and powerful enough to explore its environment with stability.

Our kit comes with a book and online resources that provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide to creating more than 10 projects with the Mars Rover. The book includes detailed instructions on how to assemble the rover and program it for various applications in Block & Python coding, making it beginner-friendly.

Computer Controlled Mars Rover

Control Mars Rover with PictoBlox using motors and servo motors to move in all directions wirelessly with keyboard.

Block & Python

Alternative Mars Rover Motion Control

Code the Mars Rover to turn left and right on a circle. Experiment with different orientations and use the up and down keys to move the Rover.

Block & Python

Sign Detection with Mars Rover

Code the Mars Rover to use a camera feed to detect the signs using Artificial Intelligence and act accordingly!

Block & Python

Mars Rover Control with Dabble

Learn to control Mars Rover using Dabble App on your device with customized functions for specialized circular motions.

Block & Python

Mars Rover Obstacle Avoidance

Code Mars Rover to use an ultrasonic sensor to navigate and avoid obstacles while you learn its movements and obstacle detection skills.

Block & Python

Speech Recognized Control of Mars Rover

Code Mars Rover to detect speech and make decision to move around. Control it with your voice.

Block & Python

Sound Based Mars Rover Control Using ML

Create custom sounds to control Mars Rover with PictoBlox's Audio Classifier in the ML Environment.

Block & Python

Gesture Controlled Mars Rover

This project uses Machine Learning to identify hand gestures and move the Mars Rover.

Block & Python

What's Inside the Kit?

1 x Quarky Expansion Board

1 x Ultrasonic Sensor

5 x 180° Servo Motor

6 x Motor

6 x Motor Bracket

6 x Wheel

3 x Expansion Connectors

1x 4 Pin Ultrasonic Connector

2 x 3 Motor Junction Connector

1 x Quarky Purple Plastic Set

1 x Battery

1 x M4 Spacer + 1 x Screw Driver

1 x Body Top

2 x Body Long Side

2 x Body Short Side

4 x T Spacer

2 x Link 2

2 x Link 1

1 x Differential Bar

2 x Differential Link

6 x M4 MDF Spacer

4 x Wheel Frame

4 x Servo Clamp 1

2 x Link Clamp

1 x Ultrasonic Holder

2 x Ultrasonic Base

2 x Differential Connector

2 x Motor Holder

4 x Servo Clamp

4 x Servo Coupling 2

1 x Servo Holder

4 x M2 Nut | 20 x M3 Nut | 5 x M4 Lock Nut

20 x M3 Spacer (20mm)

1 x M3 Metal Spacer (60mm)

4 x M2 Metal Standoff (30mm)

4 x M2 Bolt (6mm) | 12 x M2 Bolt (12mm) | 42 x M3 Bolt (8mm) | 12 x M3 Bolt (12mm) | 8 x M3 Bolt (25mm) | 4 x M4 Bolt (16mm) | 1 x M4 Bolt (20mm)

Code Mars Rover with PictoBlox

PictoBlox - Your Learning Companion

PictoBlox is a creator platform that allows students and teachers to create projects in AI, ML, and robotics. With the ability to code in both Block and Python environments, it's easy to create projects with an array of features.

Download PictoBlox

Mars Rover Extension & Library

Mars Rover Extension enables you to control the Mars Rover with ease by incorporating the Mars Rover controlling block and functions directly into your projects. The extension has been thoroughly documented to help you explore all the potential applications of the Mars Rover.

View Extension

FAQs on Quarky Mars Rover Addon Kit

What is an Addon Kit?

Quarky Addon kits are innovative do-it-yourself (DIY) kits that offer a wide variety of fields to explore, including Humanoid Robots, Mars Rover, Robotic Arm, Internet of Things, and more. Each kit comes fully equipped with all the necessary materials and instructions to create over 10 projects using coding, AI, and robotics. The opportunities to learn are endless.

What kits variations does the Mars Rover have?

There are two options available:

1. With Quarky: In this option, you get a Quarky board with the kit. Qaurky is the brain of the Mars Rover and is required to run any project. So, if you do not have a Quarky board with you, then this is the right choice.


2. Without Quarky: In this option, the Quarky board will not come with the kit. You will have to arrange or buy it separately to run the Mars Rover. 

Do my kids need any prior knowledge of coding for using Quarky?

No, Quarky is an intuitive learning tool that is suitable for both novice and experienced coders. It is programmed using a graphical programming platform named PictoBlox which allows you to build your project by using Block Coding as well as Python. In addition, the interactive graphical programming interface adds fun to the learning and makes the whole experience even more immersive.

Is there a guide on how to use this?

The kit includes a book and online resources to facilitate learning.

What age is this for?

The kit is suitable for students aged 10 and up. Some students with a passionate interest in technology and learning have been able to create projects beyond their age range using the kit.

What if there is a problem with the kit?

You can go through our online documentation for the help: 

• Quarky Mars Rover Documentation: https://ai.thestempedia.com/docs/quarky-mars-rover-documentation/


• PictoBlox Mars Rover Extension: https://ai.thestempedia.com/extension/mars-rover/

If the problem persists, send us a video of the problem to [email protected]. We will reach out to you to resolve the problem.

What is Quarky?

Quarky is a powerful, portable device that allows users to create complex projects with its 3.7V Li–ion battery support, two tactile switches, five capacitive touch sensors, two infrared sensors, and general–purpose input–output pins. It includes 35 programmable RGB LEDs in a 7×5 grid for creating animations, writing text, and displaying patterns, as well as a good-quality speaker for human-like audio or buzzing. Additionally, it has Wi–Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, and multipurpose input/output pins that can be used to interface with any third–party sensors. Quarky also has protections for reverse polarity, overvoltage, and overcurrent.

How do I start using the Mars Rover Kit?

You can use the book or go to our learning resources here: https://ai.thestempedia.com/docs/quarky-mars-rover-documentation/

To make a project you have to follow these essential steps:

1. Learn about Mars Rovers


2. Assemble the Mars Rover


3. Start Programming with Block Coding or Python Coding.

If you face any issues contact us for support here: [email protected]

What is the power source for the robot?

The robot uses the battery that comes with it. Don’t use any other batteries for this robot.

How to charge robot battery?

To charge the robot, simply plug in the USB cable to a laptop or adapter and connect it to the designated port on the Quarky board. Make sure the power switch on the robot itself is turned on.

How can I program the Mars Rover using Block Coding?

PictoBlox allows users to code Quarky Mars Rover with Block Coding. You can follow these instructions:

1. Follow the steps below for connecting Quarky to PictoBlox on a Laptop:
   
   
   
   1. First, connect Quarky to your Laptop using a USB cable.
   
   
   2. Next, open PictoBlox and select Block Coding as your coding environment.
   
   
   3. Then, click the Board button in the toolbar and select Quarky.
   
   
   4. 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.
   
   
   
   


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


3. Click on the Add Extension button and add the Quarky Mars Rover extension.


4. You can find the Quarky Mars Rover blocks available in the project.

You can find the detailed tutorial here: https://ai.thestempedia.com/docs/quarky-mars-rover-documentation/programming-the-mars-rover-with-block-coding-in-pictoblox/

How can I program the Mars Rover using Python Coding?

PictoBlox lets you code the Quarky Mars Rover using Python. Python is currently available on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and the web version only. It’s not yet available on smartphones, but it will be coming soon.

Follow the steps:

1. Connect Quarky to your laptop with a USB cable.


2. Open PictoBlox and select Python Coding as the coding environment.


3. Select the board as Quarky and click Connect.


4. 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.


5. To enable interaction with the board in real-time, use the following object declaration in Python: rover = MarsRover(4, 1, 7, 2, 6).


6. To enable the program to run offline and allow Quarky to run without the computer, use the following object declaration in Python:
   

   from quarky import *
   from expansion_addon import MarsRover
   rover = MarsRover(4, 1, 7, 2, 6)

For detailed instructions, visit https://ai.thestempedia.com/docs/quarky-mars-rover-documentation/programming-the-mars-rover-with-python-in-pictoblox/.

How do we assemble the Mars Rover?

You can either use chapter 2 of the book or follow this tutorial: https://ai.thestempedia.com/docs/quarky-mars-rover-documentation/assembling-the-quarky-mars-rover/