Getting Started with Quarky Intellio

Intellio is an AI module that brings vision, sound, and augmented reality to hands-on projects. With a built-in camera, microphone, and speaker, it makes learning creative and interactive.

It supports Block Coding and Python, works with platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32, and is LEGO-Construction, making it easy to connect with sensors, servos, and displays to build real-world AI and robotics projects.

Quarky Intellio is available in the following kit options:

1) Quarky Intellio Discovery Kit

Here are the Components included in the Quarky Intellio Discovery Kit:

1. Quarky Intellio
2. USB-C Cable
3. 2 x AR Markers (Double Sided)
4. 7 x Recognition Markers (Double Sided)
5. Set of Building Blocks
6. Getting Started Booklet
7. 5 x Self-Paced Online Courses
8. 5000 x PictoBlox Credits

2) Quarky Intellio Rover Kit

Here are the Components included in the Quarky Intellio Rover Kit:

1. Quarky Intellio
2. USB-C Cable
3. 2 x AR Markers (Double Sided)
4. 7 x Recognition Markers (Double Sided)
5. Set of Building Blocks
6. Quarky Mini Expansion Board with Cables
7. 180° Servo Motor
8. 2 x Motors
9. Set of Big Wheels
10. Set of Small Wheels
11. Set of Axles
12. Set of Gears
13. Getting Started Booklet
14. 10 x Self-Paced Online Courses
15. 10,000 x PictoBlox Credits

Play with Intellio

When you power up Quarky Intellio for the first time, it automatically runs a short interactive demo to introduce its key features. Let’s go through it step by step.

Switch on Intellio

1. Slide the Power Switch to turn on your Quarky Intellio.
2. A rainbow animation lights up on Quarky Intellio’s LED, and then it greets you using its built-in speaker!

Let’s Talk to Intellio

1. Quarky Intellio can listen and speak using its built-in microphone and speaker, letting you record your voice and hear it played back instantly.

Record and Play with Intellio’s Push Buttons!

1. Press the Left (L) button to start recording and the Right (R) button to play back your recording.

This is your first interaction with Quarky Intellio, in which you explored how it listens and speaks through its microphone and speaker.

Hurray! Let’s Code

1. Press the Reset button on the right side of Quarky Intellio.
2. When the LED turns blue, Quarky Intellio enters Bluetooth pairing mode.

Download and Install PictoBlox

Ready to explore projects with Quarky Intellio? Start coding with Block Coding or Python.

Install PictoBlox

To start coding with Quarky Intellio, you’ll need to install PictoBlox on your device.

Click Download PictoBlox to visit the download page, select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux), and follow the instructions to install the correct version.

Note: PictoBlox version 9.1.0 or later is required for Quarky Intellio support.

Connect your Intellio with PictoBlox “Via Wi-Fi Router”

Now that you’ve powered up Quarky Intellio, explored its basic features, and installed PictoBlox, the next step is to connect Intellio to your device to start coding.

In this guide, we’ll use the Via Wi-Fi Router method to connect Quarky Intellio and your computer to the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, enabling real-time camera streaming, AI processing, and interactive project control.

Note: This method supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks only. If your router broadcasts on 5 GHz or 6 GHz, use the Device as a Mobile Hotspot connection method instead.

Initial Steps

1. Open PictoBlox and choose Blocks or Python Editor.
2. Go to the Board and select Quarky Intellio.
   
3. Click Connect to begin connecting Quarky Intellio to PictoBlox.
4. If Quarky Intellio is not yet turned on, slide the Power Switch to turn it on.

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Before connecting Quarky Intellio, make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on your device. This allows PictoBlox to share network details and complete the connection process securely. Follow the steps below based on your operating system.

1. For Windows

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi, turn on Wi-Fi, and connect to a 2.4 GHz network.
   
2. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & device → Bluetooth,  turn on Bluetooth to connect Quarky Intellio wirelessly with PictoBlox.

2. For macOS

1. Go to System Settings → Wi-Fi, turn on Wi-Fi, and connect to a 2.4 GHz network.
   
2. Go to System Settings → Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth ON.

Find and Connect your Quarky Intellio.

1. Open the Wi-Fi tab to select the Via Wi-Fi Router connection method.
   
2. Enter your Wi-Fi Network Name (SSID) and Password, then click Next. Enable Remember Me to save your credentials for future connections.
   
3. PictoBlox is searching for your Quarky Intellio.
   
4. Select your Quarky Intellio (for example, Intellio 7c42) and click Connect.
5. You can find your Intellio name printed on the right side of the device, as shown below.
6. Can’t find your Quarky Intellio? Click Refresh to scan again and make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your device.
7. Once you reach this screen, click Go to Editor to open the PictoBlox main screen and start coding with Quarky Intellio.

You’ve successfully connected Quarky Intellio to PictoBlox using the Via Wi-Fi Router method. Quarky Intellio is now ready to respond in real time.

Let’s test Quarky Intellio with a simple interaction with the Camera Feed.

Turn On the Camera

1. In PictoBlox, open the Quarky Intellio block panel on the left and select the Camera blocks section.
2. Drag the Turn On Camera block to the scripting area and click on it. The Quarky Intellio camera feed will appear live on the Stage screen.

Hurray!!! You’ve successfully connected Quarky Intellio to PictoBlox using the Via Wi-Fi Router method and tested the live camera feed. Quarky Intellio is now ready to respond in real time. Let’s move on to running your first project.

Let’s run the Intellio Example with PictoBlox

In this section, you’ll interact with Quarky Intellio in real time, watch it respond to your code, and bring your ideas to life. Let’s run a simple example and explore how Quarky Intellio sees and reacts instantly.

Open the “Snap with a Filter” Example

1. In PictoBlox, go to Learn → Examples.
   
2. Select the “Snap with a Filter” example.

3. Once selected, the example loads in PictoBlox. Here’s what it does:

• Detects your face and tracks its position in real time.
• Applies a filter accurately over your face.
• Lets you capture a photo with a single key press.

Run Example

1. Click the Green Flag (Block Coding) to execute your program.
   
2. Click on the Run button (Python Editor) to execute your program.
3. Stand in front of the camera of Intellio and watch the filter follow your face.
4. Press the Space key on your keyboard to capture a photo with the filter applied.
5. To view the captured photo, follow the steps below:
   1. Click the Maximize icon on the Stage screen if it isn’t already maximized.
   2. In the maximized view, click the Open Gallery Icon button at the top-center of the screen.
      
      
   3. Go to PictoBlox → Pictures to find your captured photos.
      
6. To re-execute your program.
   1. Click the Green Flag (Block Coding) to execute your program.
      
   2. Click on the Run button (Python Editor) to execute your program.

Great job! You’ve powered up Quarky Intellio, connected it to PictoBlox, and successfully run your first interactive project Snap with a Filter. You’ve seen how Quarky Intellio can see, react, and capture moments in real time using AI and vision.

Now you’re ready to explore more examples, customize projects, and start building your own AI and robotics creations.