PictoBlox Extensions
  1. Scratch Based Default Extensions
    1. Motion
    2. Looks
    3. Sound
    4. Control
    5. Events
    6. Sensing
    7. Operators
    8. My Blocks
    9. Variables
  2. Artificial Intelligence
    1. Face Detection
    2. Object Detection
    3. Human Body Detection
    4. Computer Vision
    5. Text Recognition
    6. Speech Recognition
    7. ChatGPT
    8. Natural Language Processing
    9. Recognition Cards
    10. Text to Speech
    11. Translate
    12. Open CV
  3. Innovative Extensions
    1. QR Code Scanner
    2. Weather Data
    3. Physics Engine
    4. IFTTT Webhooks
    5. Internet of Things (IoT)
    6. Data Logger
    7. Music
    8. Video Sensing
    9. Pen
  4. Machine Learning Environment
    1. Image Classifier (ML)
    2. Object Detection (ML)
    3. Pose Classifier (ML)
    4. Hand Pose Classifier (ML)
    5. Audio Classifier (ML)
    6. Number Classifier and Regression (ML)
    7. Text Classifier (ML)
  5. Quarky
    1. Quarky (Main)
    2. Display (Quarky)
    3. Robot (Quarky)
    4. Sensors (Quarky)
    5. Speaker (Quarky)
    6. Quarky Ultimate Robots
    7. Quarky Expansion Board
    8. Mars Rover
    9. Humanoid (Quarky)
    10. Quadruped (Quarky)
    11. IoT House (Quarky)
    12. Quarky Mecanum
    13. Quarky Robotic Arm
    14. Dabble
    15. Quarky Advance Line Following
PictoBlox Extension

Sensors (Quarky)

Quaky-sensors
Extension Description
Get the sensor input from the button, infrared sensors, touch sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and other sensors.
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Available in: Block Coding, Python Coding
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Mode: Stage Mode, Upload Mode
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 WiFi Required: No
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Compatible Hardware in Block Coding: Quarky
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Compatible Hardware in Python: Quarky
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Object Declaration in Python: quarky = Quarky()
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Extension Catergory:

Introduction

The Sensor extension allows the users to read and interact with the various sensors of the Quarky robot.

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:

  1. First, connect Quarky to your laptop using a USB cable.
    Power Quarky
  2. Next, open PictoBlox on your desktop.
  3. After that, select Block or Python Coding as your coding environment.
  4. Then, click the Board button in the toolbar and select board as Quarky.
  5. 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.
    COM Port

And voila! Quarky is now connected to PictoBlox.

Mobile

Follow the steps below for connecting Quarky to PictoBlox:

  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.
    PictoBlox in Mobile Phone
  3. Then, tap the Board button in the top-right corner of the toolbar.
    PictoBlox BoardSelect board as Quarky.
  4. Next, tap the Connect button:
    PictoBlox ConnectSelect your device from the list.

And voila! Quarky is now connected to PictoBlox.

Stage Mode

Stage mode is one of the two modes you can write your programs in Pictoblox. In this mode, you can write scripts for the sprite and boards to interact with sprites in real-time. If you disconnect the board with Pictoblox, you cannot interact with the board anymore. In this mode, you can make games and animation interacting with Quarky.

You can toggle between the upload mode and stage mode using the button on the top right side of Pictoblox.

Note:  You have to upload the firmware into the device before interacting with it. Please refer to this doc: https://ai.thestempedia.com/docs/updating-quarky-firmaware-with-pictoblox/

In Python Coding Environment, use the following object declaration to use Python functions in Stage Mode:

quarky = Quarky()

Upload Mode

Upload mode is one of the two modes you can write your programs in Pictoblox. This mode allows you to write scripts and upload them to the board so that you can use them even when it is not connected to your computer, for example, you need to upload a script for making moving robots.

In this case, Quarky will run offline according to the program and it can not interact with the stage.

In Python Coding Environment, use the following object declaration to use Python functions in Upload Mode:

from quarky import *
Read More

PictoBlox Blocks

The block is a hat block and starts the execution of the script added under it when the specified push button is pressed. 
The block returns the state of the specified push button. If the button is pressed it returns True or else False.
The block returns the state of the specified IR sensor. It returns True if the current IR sensor value is greater than the threshold value, else False.
The block returns the IR sensor analog reading. The reading varies from 0 to 4095.
The block sets the threshold value of the specified IR sensor to the specified value. The value can be from 0 to 4095.
The block is a hat block and starts the execution of the script added under it when the specified touch sensor of Quarky is pressed.
The block returns the state of the specified touch sensor of Quarky. If the touchpad is touched it will return True, else False.
The block initializes the ultrasonic sensor with specified echo and trig pins.
The block returns the distance reading from the specified ultrasonic sensor.
The block returns the analog reading of the sensor connected to the specified analog pin of the Quarky. The value varies between 0 to 4095.
The block returns the state of the digital sensor connected to the specified pin of the Quarky.
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Block Coding Examples

Dance Party

The example demonstrates how to run different actions with the Quarky touch sensor to make a disco party in PictoBlox.

Flex Sensor Interfacing with Quarky

Learn how to interface a flex sensor with Quarky, the versatile microcontroller, to detect bending or flexing.

Fun with LDR Sensor and Quarky

Learn about LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) sensor and its analog properties while creating a fun activity using Quarky.

Gas Detection with MQ Sensor and Quarky

Learn how to interface an MQ sensor with Quarky to detect the presence of gases like alcohol.

Interfacing Force Sensor with Quarky

Learn about the significance of force sensors and their applications. Discover how to interface a force sensor with Quarky using Pictoblox.

Interfacing Motion sensor with Quarky

Understand how PIR sensors detect moving objects based on changes in infrared radiation.

Interfacing Piezo electric sensor with Quarky

Learn about the working principle of piezoelectric sensors, their applications, and how to interface them with Quarky using Pictoblox.

Interfacing Soil Moisture Sensor With Quarky

Learn about soil moisture sensors and how they work to measure the moisture level in the soil.

Introduction to Raindrop Sensor

Explore the functionality of a raindrop sensor, an analog-type sensor that detects changes in resistance upon contact with water.

IR Sensor Calibration

The example demonstrates how to calibrate the IR sensors to detect black lines on the white surface.

Joystick Interfacing with Quarky

Learn how to interface a joystick with Quarky, the versatile microcontroller, to control the movement of Quarky Robot.

Joystick Interfacing with Quarky: Direction Controls.

Learn how to interface a joystick with Quarky, the versatile microcontroller, to control the movement of Quarky Robot in different directions.

Line Follower Robot – Full

The example demonstrates how to make a line follower robot with Quarky.

Line Follower Robot – Simplified

The example demonstrates how to make a simplified line following a robot with Quarky.

Robot Pet

The example demonstrates how to make a vertical robot pet that senses the hand on the IR sensor and acts accordingly.
Buttons

Tobi Movement with Buttons

The example demonstrates how to make the sprite movement with Quarky buttons.
Buttons

Tobi Movement with Hat Block

The example demonstrates using the Quarky button to control the sprite using the hat block.

Touch Piano

The example demonstrates using the Quarky touch display to make touch piano.

Ultrasonic Sensor with Quarky

The example demonstrates how to use an ultrasonic sensor with Quarky.
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Python Functions

readpushbutton()
The function returns the state of the specified push button. If the button is pressed it returns True or else False.
Syntax: readpushbutton(button = “L”)
readirsensor()
The function returns the IR sensor analog reading. The reading varies from 0 to 4095.
Syntax: readirsensor(sensor = “IRL”)
setirthreshold()
The function sets the threshold value of the specified IR sensor to the specified value. The value can be from 0 to 4095.
Syntax: setirthreshold(sensor = “IRL”, value = 1200)
getirstate()
The function returns the state of the specified IR sensor. It returns True if the current IR sensor value is greater than the threshold value, else False.
Syntax: getirstate(sensor = “IRL”)
ispadtouched()
The function returns the state of the specified touch sensor of Quarky. If the touchpad is touched it will return True, else False.
Syntax: ispadtouched(touch_pin = 1)
setultrasonicpins()
The function initializes the ultrasonic sensor with specified echo and trig pins. 
Syntax: setultrasonicpins(sensor_number = 1, trig_pin = “D1”, echo_pin = “D2”)
getdistance()
The function returns the distance reading from the specified ultrasonic sensor.
Syntax: getdistance(sensor_number = 1)
readdigitalsensor()
The function returns the state of the digital sensor connected to the specified pin of the Quarky.
Syntax: readdigitalsensor(digital_pin = “D1”)
readanalogsensor()
The function returns the analog reading of the sensor connected to the specified analog pin of the Quarky. The value varies between 0 to 4095.
Syntax: readanalogsensor(analog_pin = “A1”)
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Python Coding Examples

AI Delivery Robot – Python

The example demonstrates how to make a delivery robot that follows the line and stops when it reaches checkpoint 1 in the Python Coding Mode.

Dance Party – Python

The example demonstrates how to run different actions with the Quarky touch sensor to make a disco party in Python Coding Environment.

IR Sensor Calibration – Python

The example demonstrates how to calibrate the IR sensors to detect black lines on the white surface in Python Coding Environment.

Line Follower Robot – Full – Python

The example demonstrates how to make a line follower robot with Quarky in the Python Coding Environment.

Line Follower Robot – Simplified – Python

The example demonstrates how to make a simplified line following a robot with Quarky in the Python Coding Environment.

Robot Pet – Python

The example demonstrates how to make a vertical robot pet that senses the hand on the IR sensor and acts accordingly in the Python Coding Environment.

Tobi Movement with Buttons – Python

The example demonstrates how to make the sprite movement with Quarky buttons.

Touch Piano – Python

The example demonstrates using the Quarky touch display to make a touch piano in the Python Coding Mode.

Ultrasonic Sensor with Quarky – Python

The example demonstrates how to use an ultrasonic sensor with Quarky.
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