Arduino educational robot for kids
Arduino has launched the Alvik robot - a platform for children and young people to get started with ESP32 programming.
(Image: Arduino)
- Daniel Schwabe
The Arduino Alvik is a small rolling robot that is programmed via an Arduino Nano ESP32 and has an STM32 Arm Cortex-M4. Alvik is intended as a learning platform for children, providing an introduction to ESP32 programming in conjunction with sensors and motors.
Alvik comes with various sensors out of the box. These include a time-of-flight sensor for measuring distances of up to 350 cm and a 90° field of view, a combination of acceleration sensor and 6-axis gyroscope and a color sensor. There are also motors for the robot's wheels, a line follower array and touch buttons on the top.
(Image: Arduino)
In addition to these permanently installed sensors, further modules can be connected via plug connectors. Ports for I2C and additional servomotors are also available. Brackets for these external sensors can also be attached to the Alvik via terminal block-compatible connectors in the housing.
In addition to these components, Alvik also has Bluetooth LE 5.0 and WLAN 2.4 GHz connectivity. The learning platform is powered by an 18650 Li-Ion battery. This can also be easily replaced.
A playlist of demonstration videos is available on YouTube, in which various functions of the Alvik are presented.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmmung wird hier ein externes YouTube-Video (Google Ireland Limited) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (Google Ireland Limited) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
These scenarios depict classic initial projects: Using the line follower array to follow a painted path, or using the time-of-flight sensor to stop in front of and avoid obstacles. The gyroscope and acceleration sensor can also be used to query and readjust the robot's orientation. In general, Alvik projects revolve around allowing the robot to follow certain paths or to find its own way around obstacles or recognize objects in its path.
The robot can currently be programmed using MicroPython and the Arduino language. Visual block programming is to be added soon, but there is no exact date for this yet.
The ESP32 is the centerpiece of many Maker projects - whether it is the integration of non-smart devices into the smart home or a functioning mini-arcade. By using real Maker hardware, skills learned can also be applied outside the learning platform.
The Arduino Docs page currently offers an introduction to Alvik. Manuals etc. for the robot are already linked there. However, these links are currently still empty.
Alvik is designed as an educational robot. The product page also offers tips for integrating it into lessons. The small robot is available for 130 euros in the Arduino Store. This set does not contain any external sensors, only those built directly into the robot.
If you are looking for other beginner products for programming, you can read our text on the new Oxocard products.
(das)
