Getting Started
What’s in the box
Welcome! Let’s start by looking at what you have in the box:
QUIRKBOT: Programmable toy that connects to electronics and Strawbees.
SERVO BACKPACK: For connecting the Servo Motor to the Quirkbot.
SERVO MOTOR: This motor can move 120 degrees.
DUAL COLOR LEDs: Lights with 2 colors that you can attach to the Quirkbot.
LIGHT SENSOR: Sensing light for fun interaction.
STRAWBEES: For building structures with drinking straws and cardboard.
DRINKING STRAWS: Building material.
USB CABLE: For charging and programming.
All the different parts of the Quirkbot itself has names, check out: the Anatomy of the Quirkbot to learn what they are.
Where to start
First thing to do is to switch on the Quirkbot! The most important thing to think about is to be careful with the switch, since it’s small and the most fragile part of the Quirkbot. Most of the time the Quirkbot will arrive with half the charge, but some of the time the production forgets to turn off the Quirkbot after test, and in this case you need to start by charging it.
1. Switch On the Quirkbot:
2. Attach the Motor Backpack:
3. Attach the Motor:
4. Build something!
Quirkbot makes it easy to make Strawbees move. A great way to get started is to just start building!
To first get started with Strawbees, check their website for instructions. The only tools needed is a pair of scissors to cut the straws.
To make Strawbees move you don’t have to program anything right now. Just switch on the Quirkbot, Plug in the motor and use the program that comes preloaded. This is how the factory preset program works:
5. Tips and Trix to make your building more fun
- Attach a Strawbee to your motor: Snap on a Strawbee on the back of your Servo Motors arm, like this:
You need a small Phillips screwdriver to fasten the screw. The arm can be places in different positions depending on what you want to build.
- Building a motor mount: There are many ways to connect a Servo motor to Strawbees. Check out these descriptions for building motor mounts coming soon Here is also a simple type of motor mount you can build:
- The straw secures the motor arm: When putting a straw on the Strawbee on the servo motor arm, make sure to slide it over both the Strawbee and the motor arm itself, like this:
Use other materials than straws: Cardboard, Paper, Tape, Rubber bands, Aluminum foil and other light materials
Remember: The Quirkbot Arms, Legs and Horn can be used to connect drinking straws, Just like Strawbees.
Inspiration: To get some examples and inspiration for stuff to build check out #quirkbot on Instagram.
When the Quirkbot runs out of battery you need to charge it:
Start programming
To change how the Quirkbot behaves you change the program inside of it. You do this from our website: code.quirkbot.com/program. You have to use the Google Chrome Browser for everything to work.
When you have created an account you can start creating and uploading code to your Quirkbot.
1. Upload code
First time you try to upload, the interface will install a small plug-in in your browser, and on a Windows computer you will have to install drivers. The interface will guide you trough how to do it. (video guide coming soon)
After that this is how uploading code works:
Here is a link to a simple program you can try: LED example (the link will take you directly to the Quirkbot CODE)
2. Creating code
You create new code in the Quirkbot by connecting nodes together and changing the values of them.
Here is how you do some basic things:
Add and Delete Nodes
By dragging and dropping into your program, and press the X to get rid of them.
Connect and disconnect the nodes:
The connections makes a continuous stream of data go from one node to the other.
Choose Place
All Nodes that control some external part like an LED or Servo Motor needs ti know where that part is placed.
Change Value
By dragging the slider or type in the value directly.
Save Your Code and give it a name.
When you do this the code will automatically get a web address. If you want to share your code just share this address, Don’t worry, none but you can change it. If someone shares code with you and you want to make your own copy, press Clone CODE. This is now your code and you can make any changes.
there is of course much more to learn about programming the quirkbot and many more examples are coming soon
3. Attaching LEDs and light sensors:
Learn More
Check out the documentation for the Nodes
The Nodes Documentation is starting to take shape. and will soon have many useful examples.
The Forum
Check out the Quirkbot Forum! Don’t be afraid to ask us any question.