Quarky Intellio is an ESP32-S3-based development kit designed as an educational platform for learning AI, Augmented Reality (AR), and IoT concepts. It is compatible with LEGO bricks and targets users aged 10 and older.
The core AI-AR module features an SPI TFT display interface, a 5MP camera, a speaker and microphone, a microSD card slot for data storage, a USB-C port for programming and charging, servo and GPIO expansion ports, and a 1,000 mAh battery. The company offers a discovery kit with the core module only as well as a rover car kit, and since it’s compatible with LEGO, users can easily create their own robot.
Quarky Intellio specifications:
- Core module – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8
- SoC – ESP32-S3
- CPU – Dual-core LX7 processor with up to 240MHz
- Memory – 512KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM (SiP)
- Storage – 384KB ROM
- Wireless – WiFi 4 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 5.0 LE
- Storage – 16MB flash
- PCB antenna
- SoC – ESP32-S3
- Storage – MicroSD card slot up to 32GB
- Display – SPI TFT display connected via a 7-pin SD card connector to the GPIO interface.
- Camera – OV5640 5MP camera sensor with auto-focus Lens, FOV – 72°
- Audio
- Omnidirectional MEMS Microphone
- 8Ω/1W speaker with inbuilt codec
- USB – 1x USB Type-C port for programming (up to 1Mbps baud rate) and power/charging
- Expansion
- Servo Port – 3-pin servo motor channel, Vcc (3.7-5V), up to 1A output
- GPIO and I2C 3.3V port up to 40mA; connects with Quark Expansion board
- Misc
- 2x programmable tactile switches, power switch, and reset switch
- Power LED, Low Battery LED, and Charging LED
- RGB LED (WS2812B)
- Mounting:
- 6x mounting holes for construction part connectors
- Axle connector for mounting the servo motor
- Power Supply
- 5V via USB-C port
- 3.7V/1,000mAh Li-Ion battery good for up to 3.5 hours while live streaming video and audio
- Dimensions – 65 x 49 x 26 mm (transparent polycarbonate case)
- Weight – 60 grams
The Quarky Intellio can be programmed with the web-based PictoBlox visual programming IDE, supporting block coding and Python, but it’s also compatible with the Arduino IDE (C++), the ESP-IDF framework, and MicroPython. Students can train Machine Learning (ML) models using PictoBlox’s ML environment or TFLite (TinyML).
All backers will have access to up to ten online courses and one hundred DIY activities to learn about artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and augmented reality. Students will also learn how to interface the Quarky with Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards to expand its capabilities.
STEMpedia has launched the Quarky Intellio DIY kits on Kickstarter with a $10,000 funding target that has already been surpassed. The Intellio Discovery Kit starts at $49 with the LEGO-compatible AI-AR module, a few accessories, PictoBlox support, and 5 five online courses. Most people will probably prefer the $75 Intellio Rover Kit, adding motors, a motor controller, and building blocks to make a robot car or dog, and offered with 10 free online sources. There are also bundles with multiple kits for classroom environments. The shipping fees will be charged separately, and deliveries are scheduled to start in January 2026.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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