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Quarky Documentation
  1. Program Quarky with Block Coding in PictoBlox
  2. Program Quarky with PictoBlox Using Python
  3. Quarky Technical Specifications
    1. Introduction to Servo Motors & Calibration – Quarky
    2. Quarky Bluetooth Troubleshooting
    3. Getting Started with Quarky
    4. Power Module of Quarky
    5. Program Quarky Tactile Switches with Pictoblox
    6. Introduction to Quarky Touch Sensors
    7. How to Use IR Sensors in Quarky Robot
    8. Introduction to Ultrasonic Sensors and Quarky
    9. Controlling the Motion of Quarky Robot with PictoBlox and Python
  4. Quarky Trobleshooting Documents
    1. Quarky Bluetooth Troubleshooting
    2. Quarky Ultrasonic Sensor Troubleshooting
    3. Quarky Wheels Troubleshooting
  5. Quarky Robot Configurations
    1. Quarky 2 Wheel Drive Horizontal Robot
    2. Quarky 2 Wheel Drive Vertical Robot
    3. Quarky Obstacle Avoidance Robot
    4. Quarky Edge Detector Robot
    5. Quarky Gripper Robot
    6. Quarky Four Wheel Drive Robot
    7. Quarky Vertical Steering Robot
    8. Quarky Horizontal Pick and Place Robot
    9. Quarky Vertical Pick and Place Robot
  6. Quarky PictoBlox Extensions
    1. Quarky Advance Sensors Extension
    2. Quarky Connect
    3. Display (Quarky)
    4. Quarky (Main)
    5. Robot (Quarky)
    6. Sensors (Quarky)
    7. Speaker (Quarky)
    8. Quarky Ultimate Robots
    9. Quarky Expansion Board
    10. Mars Rover
    11. Humanoid (Quarky)
    12. Quadruped (Quarky)
    13. IoT House (Quarky)
    14. Quarky Mecanum
    15. Quarky Robotic Arm
    16. Dabble
    17. Quarky Advance Line Following

Quarky Firmware Troubleshooting

Description
Gain valuable insights into troubleshooting common firmware-related issues with Quarky. Firmware plays a critical role in the functioning and performance of the robot, and understanding how to diagnose and resolve firmware problems is essential.

Introduction

Firmware is the software installed directly on Quarky that enables communication between the board, its hardware components, and PictoBlox.

Keeping the firmware updated ensures that Quarky remains compatible with the latest PictoBlox blocks and extensions. Firmware updates may also resolve communication problems and minor issues found in previous versions.

Connecting Quarky to PictoBlox

Before checking or troubleshooting the firmware, connect Quarky to PictoBlox.

  1. Power ON Quarky.
    Quarky turn on switch
  2. Connect Quarky to your computer using a USB data cable.
  3. Use Bluetooth for a wireless connection ( USB connection is recommended when checking or updating firmware)
  4. Open PictoBlox on your desktop or laptop. Select Block Coding as the coding environment.
    Select the Block Coding environment
  5. Click the Board button on the toolbar. Select Quarky from the list of available boards.
    Select the Quarky Board
  6. To connect your Quarky board, select the appropriate Serial Port (USB) or Bluetooth port from the list, find your device, and click Connect.
    select the appropriate Serial Port (USB) or Bluetooth
  7. Once successfully connected, the status will change to Connected.
    successfully connected, the status will change
  8. Click on Go Editor to launch the coding environment and start programming with your Quarky board.

coding environment

How to Check the Firmware Version on Quarky?

Use the following steps to check the firmware version currently installed on Quarky.

  1. Connect Quarky to your computer using a compatible USB data cable using Connecting Quarky to PictoBlox section. (Click Here)
  2. Go to the Quarky block palette. Click the Settings icon available in the Quarky extension.
    Click the Settings icon
  3. The Quarky Settings window will open. Click the Check button, depending on the PictoBlox interface version.
    Click the Check button

How to Update the Firmware on Quarky?

Firmware should be updated using PictoBlox on a desktop or laptop computer.

  1. Connect Quarky to your computer using a compatible USB data cable using Connecting Quarky to PictoBlox section. (Click Here)
  2. Click the Upload Firmware button displayed in the upper-right section of the PictoBlox window.
    Click the Upload Firmware button    A firmware upload status window will appear, and PictoBlox will automatically begin installing the supported firmware on Quarky. 
  3. Keep Quarky connected and wait until PictoBlox displays a successful completion message.
    If Quarky already has the latest supported firmware, PictoBlox will display:
    Firmware already updated     
  4. Reconnect Quarky using the Connecting Quarky to PictoBlox section. (Click Here)

What Is the Difference Between Older and Updated Firmware?

Older firmware may have been designed for an earlier version of PictoBlox and may not support recently introduced blocks, extensions, or hardware features.

Updated firmware improves compatibility between Quarky and the current version of PictoBlox. It may also include communication improvements, support for new extensions, and fixes for minor issues found in previous firmware versions.

Because firmware features can change between releases, it is recommended to use the latest firmware provided through PictoBlox rather than relying on an older manually stored firmware file.

Can Quarky Firmware Be Updated Using a Smartphone?

No. Quarky firmware cannot currently be updated through the PictoBlox smartphone application.

Use the desktop version of PictoBlox on a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer and connect Quarky through a USB cable to update the firmware.

After the update, Quarky can be connected to a supported smartphone for compatible block-coding activities.

Quarky Is Connected, but the blocks are not working. Why?

Quarky is connected via serial or Bluetooth, and the connection status shows “Connected,” but the Quarky blocks do not control the board.

The issue may continue even after updating the firmware.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect Quarky using the Connecting Quarky to PictoBlox section. (Click Here)

Connect Quarky to PictoBlox using either:

  • Serial Port (USB)
  • Bluetooth Port

Step 2: Update the Firmware if Required using the How to Update the Firmware on Quarky section. (Click Here)

If the firmware is outdated or its status cannot be detected, connect Quarky via USB and upload the latest firmware. Wait until the firmware update is completed successfully.

Step 3: Locate the physical Reset button on the Quarky board. Press and release the Reset button once.

Reset Quarky

This restarts the board and reloads the installed firmware.

Step 4: Run the Blocks Again

Wait a few seconds for Quarky to complete the restart process. The RGB light will turn on to indicate that the process is complete.

Run a simple project, which is the Quarky Beating Heart project.

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