Getting Started with Quarky Intellio

Quarky 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 such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32, and features LEGO-compatible construction, making it easy to connect sensors, servos, and displays for real-world AI and robotics projects.

Note: Web browser support for Intellio on pictoblox.ai is currently under development.

Quarky Intellio is available in the following kit options:

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. Rainbow-coloured lights flash on Quarky Intellio’s LED, and then it greets you using its built-in speaker.
   

Let’s Talk to Intellio

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!

Press the Left (L) button to start recording audio 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

Press the Reset Button on the right side of Quarky Intellio. When the LED turns blue, it indicates that Intellio has entered Bluetooth pairing mode.

Note: If the Low Battery indicator turns red, connect Quarky Intellio to a power source using the USB-C cable to recharge it.

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.

PictoBlox version 9.1.0 or later is required for Quarky Intellio support. Click Download PictoBlox to visit the download page, select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux), and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version.

Note: Web browser support for Intellio on pictoblox.ai is currently under development.

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 use the Via Wi-Fi Router method to connect Quarky Intellio and your computer to the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. This enables real-time camera streaming, AI processing, and interactive project control.

Note: Quarky Intellio supports only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. If your router operates on 5 GHz or 6 GHz, use the Device as a Mobile Hotspot method from the Connection Guide instead.

PictoBlox Configuration Steps

1. Open PictoBlox and choose Blocks or Py Editor.
   
2. Go to the Board and select Quarky Intellio.
   
3. Click Connect to begin connecting Quarky Intellio to PictoBlox.
   
   
4. Select the Via Wi-Fi Router connection method.
   Note: Use the Wi-Fi tab to complete this connection. Support for connecting via Bluetooth Ports will be available in a future update.
   
   
5. If Quarky Intellio is not yet turned on, slide the Power Switch to turn it on.
   

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Quarky Intellio connects to PictoBlox over Wi-Fi for real-time communication. Since Intellio does not have a screen or keyboard, PictoBlox first uses Bluetooth (or the USB Serial Port, if required) to securely transfer the Wi-Fi network details. Once the credentials are shared, Intellio joins the Wi-Fi network and remains connected to PictoBlox.

Before continuing, ensure that 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. Open Quick Settings from the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, and turn on Wi-Fi and connect to a 2.4 GHz network.
   
   
2. Open Quick Settings from the bottom-right corner of your taskbar and turn on Bluetooth.
   

2. For macOS

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of your Mac screen.
2. Turn Wi-Fi ON and connect to a 2.4 GHz network.
   
3. Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your mac screen, then select and turn Bluetooth ON.

Find and Connect your Quarky Intellio.

1. Enter your Wi-Fi Network Name (SSID) and Password, then click Next. Enable Remember Me to save your credentials for future connections.
   
2. PictoBlox is searching for your Quarky Intellio.
   Note: Can’t find your Quarky Intellio? Click Refresh to scan again, or press the Reset button on Intellio and ensure Bluetooth is turned ON on your device.
   
3. Select your Quarky Intellio (for example, Intellio <****>) and click Connect.
   
   Note: You can find your Quarky Intellio Name (For example, Intellio ****) printed on the right side of the device, as shown below.
   
4. 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 camera feed interaction.

Turn On the Camera

1. In PictoBlox, open the Quarky Intellio block panel on the left and select the Camera blocks palette.
   
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! Quarky Intellio is now connected to PictoBlox and responding in real time. Let’s start interacting with Intellio by 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 the Learn section from the top menu and navigate to 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. In Block Coding, click the Green Flag to execute the program.
   
   
   
2. In the Python Editor, click the Run button to execute the 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. Open the Pictures folder in PictoBlox to view your captured photos.
      
6. To re-execute your program.
   1. In Block Coding, click the Green Flag to execute the program.
      
      
      
   2. In the Python Editor, click the Run button to execute the program.
      

Well done! You’ve powered up Quarky Intellio, connected it to PictoBlox, and successfully run your first interactive project, Snap with a Filter. You’ve experienced how Intellio uses AI and camera vision to see, react, and capture moments in real time.

You’re now ready to explore more examples, customize projects, and begin building your own AI and robotics creations with Quarky Intellio.