Showing posts with label explorer hat pro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label explorer hat pro. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Controlling my STS-PI RASPBERRY PI ROBOT WITH POWKIDDY X18! #powkiddyx18 #raspberrypirobotcar


GPD XD Plus [Official distributor, Latest HW & Most Stable Update] Foldable Handheld Game Consoles 5" Touchscreen, Android 7.0 Fast Mediatek MT8176 Hexa-core 2.1GHz CPU, 4GB RAM/32GB ROM

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Hey guys,

Check it out!

A couple of blog posts ago, I wanted to try if I could control my STS-Pi, a Raspberry Pi robot with the Powkiddy X18 integrated controller. I decided to dust off my R3 and make it happen. I have to research some of the things that I've forgotten.

My 16GB MicroSD cards with Recallbox and Raspbian OS wouldn't work. I haven't played with them for a while and I'm not sure why they won't work anymore. I had to re-format one of the cards that has a Kano OS.

GPD XD Plus [Official distributor, Latest HW & Most Stable Update] Foldable Handheld Game Consoles 5" Touchscreen, Android 7.0 Fast Mediatek MT8176 Hexa-core 2.1GHz CPU, 4GB RAM/32GB ROM

I love Kano OS. It's actually for kids to learn about computers and coding. I decided to re-download and install the old version of Raspbian-stretch because I need to use the Raspi-config to turn on my Raspberry Pi camera.

I'm using the same Raspberry Pi 3 that used to learn to make everything work. I didn't want the hassle of having to learn anything new now. If I can get the things that used to work and just try to use the Powkiddy X18 remap buttons, I'll then be able to control my sts-pi robot with the integrated controller.

Freenove 4WD Smart Car Kit for Raspberry Pi 4 B 3 B+ B A+, Face Tracking, Line Tracking, Light Tracing, Obstacle Avoidance, Colorful Light, Ultrasonic Camera Servo Wireless RC

I installed the Pimoroni software via the terminal. The web control didn't work when I tried to show it on my video, it suddenly stopped working. So, I just went straight to using SCRATCH. Using scratch to control my sts-pi motor is much easier.

Visit this site for more info on the STS-PI robot if you also have the Explorer Hat. For control using SCRATCH, go to this blog. Download the link for the scratch template and add the scratch code to the template. This way, you can control the motor and also take pictures at the same time. Pretty nifty.

PIM082 - Explorer HAT Pro for 40-Pin Raspberry Pi

Powkiddy X18 remap buttons work by just putting it to the scratch code. I also tried using the on-screen keyboard but, if you open the remap button, the keyboard will go away. I discovered that I can just use the remap button when I select the on-screen mouse available with the Raspbian OS. 

When you use the on-screen mouse, the arrow keys and several other useful keyboard keys are at the bottom of the screen. I tried putting the remap buttons on those keys and it finally works. So, now, I can control the motors with the integrated controller. Voila!


The Powkiddy X18 is really becoming my jack-of-all-trades device. I really like it. If I had known, it was not just for Android or retro gaming, I might have bought it much earlier. Maybe I wasn't ready for it.

When you're my age, you suddenly realize things seem to be happening for a reason and at the right time. I noticed it when my father died a couple of months before the virus was reported. He has diabetes and it would be pretty hard to see him during or if he dies during the pandemic.

I got fired from my job before the pandemic. No problem staying at home throughout the earlier days. I took the opportunity to blog and do YouTube videos. I want to thank those who bought stuff via my Amazon links as it helps.

I love tech and games!

What do you guys think?

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Happy portable computing!

#raspberrypi #powkiddyx18 #raspberrypirobot #python #coding #pimoroni #scratch

Tuesday, July 03, 2018

Pimoroni Explorer HAT Pro for 40-Pin Raspberry Pi


PIM082 - Explorer HAT Pro for 40-Pin Raspberry Pi

Hey guys,

Pimoroni, Explorer HAT Pro are one of my favorite product to build, play and test with smart robot. I made the video above, last year. A demo of what you can do with the explorer hat pro. Check it out!

It's basically an all in one board for the raspberry pi 3, that you can learn to code the led lightings and motor. Code it using simple python!

There's also a breadboard included on top of the main pimoroni board that you can use for other project. I tried, running a servo using the board and it actually work. But, you need to find the special code. And, sometime it didn't work. So, I used a separated arduino board to move the camera around.

Playing with Raspberry pi 3 and arduino are really fun!

It's great for learning about robotics and coding. I love learning about python and creating my own smart robot. If you have children, you should get it for them. You'll even find it great for adult learning too.

Get your own Raspberry pi or Arduino starter kit:



PIM082 - Explorer HAT Pro for 40-Pin Raspberry Pi



Arduino Starter Kit - English Official Kit With 170 Page Book - K000007



Elegoo EL-KIT-001 UNO R3 Project Complete Starter Kit with Tutorial for Arduino (63 Items)



Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches, Second Edition (Tab)



CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (B Plus) with Premium Clear Case and 2.5A Power Supply



CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (B Plus) Retro Gaming Kit with 2 Retro Gamepads



Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (B Plus) Ultimate Kit – Complete Set Includes Raspberry pi Motherboard, 7” Touchscreen Display, Power Supply, 32GB SD Card, 2 Heatsinks, Official Case & 6ft HDMI Cable & Keyboard …



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Raspberry Pi 3: New Users Programming Raspberry Pi 3 Guide With Raspberry Pi 3 Projects (Raspberry Pi 3 Programming)

Did you guys know that you can even setup your own retro gaming rig with a raspberry pi 3?

Get a mini projector and use the raspberry pi 3 as your DIY entertainment system!

You can even use the latest updated raspberry pi 3 b+ as your mini computer!

Start your own robotic project with raspberry pi 3 and arduino today!

Subscribe to our blog and youtube channel for latest post and video upload.

Happy learning!

P.S. PIM082 - Explorer HAT Pro for 40-Pin Raspberry Pi



Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Fun with STS Pi 3 Robot and Pimoroni Explorer Hat Pro demo


Raspberry Pi 3 Board and 16GB, 10class, with NOOBS

Hey guys,

Check it out!

Finally, got my own STS Pi robot!

I have to admit, that there are many smart robot out there with different type of raspberry pi hat and motor shield. But, I wanted something easy to build and control. Anyway, it's the only one basically that's available. I also wanted to test out the pimoroni explorer hat!



Raspberry Pi 3 Board and 16GB, 10class, with NOOBS

It took me quite a while to build the sts pi robot. Made a couple of mistakes or used different bolts and nuts. Fun, nonetheless. I had already done my researched on how to download and install the pimoroni dashboard by googling. In the end though, raspberrypi.org have a better complete guide.

If you're interested in learning how to build your own buggy with explorer hat pro, then visit this tutorial page. It also includes python coding tutorial. Easy to follow and even have fun modding the sample code. I spend the whole day playing around with the smart robot. It was really cool to finally make it work!

Get this mBot starter kit with all parts ready to assemble!



Awesome Starter Kit mBot Educational Robot Kit for Kids and Beginners -Blue (Bluetooth Version)

I can control the smart robot by setting the code for it to follow or by using the 'guizero' gui. Since, I can use RealVNC to access the pi. I used my iPhone to control it. I had always wanted a control car when I was a child. Now, I can play with my own build smart robot car. Cool!

Pimoroni have lots of other cool products for the raspberry pi 3. Check out some of the products available below:
Definitely, a whole lot of fun projects you can do!

I'm still tinkering with my smart robot and am going to make it roam around my house while playing the radio or music. Will even gonna make it dance to the music. Gonna be a fun project. In the future, you might have a robo friend or a security robo roaming around the house listening and answering to your command.

Wouldn't that be cool?

Anyway, it's always fun to learn something new!

Don't forget to watch my demo video here. Make sure you like and subscribe for updates on latest post. Thank you!

Happy computing and robo making!

P.S. Pimoroni Raspberry Pi Zero W Starter Kit icon

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