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Sparki was introduced in 2013 as a two-wheeled, Arduino-compatible robot from Arcbotics, equipped with sensors, a gripper, and several built-in ways to interact. Make: described its features and a Kickstarter offer at the time; those details are historical, not confirmation that Sparki is available or supported today.
What was Sparki?
In Brian Jepson’s May 3, 2013 Make: article, Sparki is presented as a compact, two-wheeled robot designed for hands-on robotics projects. It was described as Arduino-compatible, with onboard components intended to support activities such as navigating obstacles, following lines, responding to light, and manipulating objects with its gripper.
Jepson praised the robot’s stepper motors and enclosure, writing: “Sparki’s quite an accomplishment—Arcbotics has selected some fantastic stepper motors for Sparki, and they’ve evolved their design to create a rugged enclosure that still manages to expose all the electronics you want to play with.” This is the author’s assessment in the 2013 article, not an independent performance test.
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What features did the 2013 article list?
Make: reported the following onboard sensors and components. These are specifications stated in that article, not a currently verified bill of materials.
#1 Best Overall
- BUILD, CODE & DRIVE YOUR OWN ROBOT CAR: Turn coding, electronics and engineering into a working programmable robot car you can assemble, program and drive; ideal for weekend family projects, STEM classrooms, coding clubs, robotics lessons and maker challenges
- EXPLORE FPV, LINE TRACKING & OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE: Control the robot with the ELEGOO app or IR remote, view live FPV video through the onboard camera, follow black lines, avoid obstacles with the ultrasonic sensor and explore multiple interactive driving modes
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY BUILD WITH GUIDED WIRING: Keyed XH2.54 connectors help reduce wiring mistakes, while the illustrated tutorial and example programs guide beginners step by step from chassis assembly and module connection to programming and the first successful run
- GO BEYOND ASSEMBLY WITH CREATIVE CODING: Program with Arduino IDE to explore movement, sensors and control logic, then modify example code to create custom routes, reactions and robotics experiments that develop coding, problem-solving and engineering skills
- COMPLETE RECHARGEABLE STEM ROBOTICS KIT: Includes an ELEGOO UNO R3 controller board, ESP32-WROVER-based camera and Wi-Fi module, line-tracking and ultrasonic sensors, motors, IR remote and a 2000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery; recommended for ages 8+ with adult guidance for first-time builders
| Component | Quantity or detail reported | Use described in the article |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasonic distance sensor | 1 | Detecting walls and other objects |
| Three-axis accelerometer | 1 | Detecting pickup or falls and helping with hill-climbing activities |
| Phototransistors | 3 | Light following or seeking darkness |
| Line-following and edge-detection sensors | 5 | Maze, line-following, and sumo activities |
| IR bounce sensor | 1 | Detecting objects in the gripper |
| Graphic LCD | 128×64 pixels | Onboard graphic display |
| Other interaction components | RGB LED, buzzer, infrared transmitter and receiver, and IR remote control | Visual, audible, and infrared interaction |
The sensor combination suggested several different ways to build projects around movement and environmental response. The article does not provide test results for how accurately or reliably Sparki performed those tasks.
How could it be expanded?
The article also names a TTL serial expansion port and a port for a Bluetooth serial module. It notes that the Bluetooth module port was included in some Kickstarter reward levels, so it should not be treated as a feature guaranteed in every offered package.
Rank #2
- BUILD A METAL TRACKED ROBOT: Assemble the stainless-steel chassis, suspension, tracks, sensors and UNO R3 control system into a working robot; ideal for home STEM projects, homeschool lessons, coding clubs and classroom builds
- EXPLORE FIVE INTERACTIVE MODES: Switch between FPV driving, IR remote control, obstacle avoidance, line tracking and auto follow; create patrol routes, black-line courses, maze challenges and navigation experiments
- DRIVE FROM THE ROBOT’S VIEW: The camera and ESP32-WROVER Wi-Fi module stream live FPV video to a compatible phone, while the adjustable servo-mounted camera lets you change the viewing angle during driving and inspection
- START WITH BLOCK CODING, ADVANCE TO ARDUINO IDE: Use the ElegooKit app for visual programming, then modify motor speed, sensor thresholds, servo movement and navigation logic in Arduino IDE as coding skills grow
- COMPLETE NO-SOLDER PROJECT KIT: Includes the UNO R3 controller, metal chassis, tracks, camera, ultrasonic and line-tracking modules, motors, servos, IR remote, 7.4 V battery, tools and illustrated instructions; recommended for ages 10+
What did Sparki cost in 2013?
Make: reported a $99 Kickstarter reward in its May 3, 2013 article and described a “RIGHT NOW” reward level expected to ship as soon as June. These were launch-era terms and delivery expectations, not a current price or shipping offer. The article’s project name was “Sparki – The Easy Robot for Everyone!”; that slogan is not evidence of a tested accessibility claim.
Is Sparki available or supported today?
The 2013 article does not establish present-day stock, a current price, legitimate sellers, software compatibility, replacement-part availability, or ongoing support. It therefore cannot confirm whether a robot listed for sale now is the same model or whether its software and parts remain usable. Anyone considering a used or newly listed unit would need current, model-specific confirmation of those details.
Rank #3
- Expert-Designed Courses: Teaming up with Circuit Basics, SunFounder 3-in-1 Starter Kit offers comprehensive videos and online tutorials for well-rounded learning. Suitable for age 8+ beginners.
- Complete Component Kit: Our kit includes high quality sensors, actuators, power supplies, and an Arduino-compatible Uno for diverse projects and skill-building.
- Progressive Learning Journey: With Circuit Basics, the courses cater to your skill level, covering essentials and advancing to complex topics like IoT, robot cars, and sensor integration.
- Engaging Projects: Apply your knowledge through hands-on projects, ranging from simple LED blinking to advanced robot car, IoT applications, for skill development and confidence-building.
- Dedicated Support: Benefit from our ongoing assistance, including a community forum and timely technical help for a seamless learning experience.
Read Brian Jepson’s original Make: article, “Sparki: My New Favorite Robot” (May 3, 2013).
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Complete Hardware】The kit includes LAFVIN R3 CH340 board, V5 expansion board, L298N motor driver, ultrasonic sensor, SG90 servo, DC motors, and more. All components are well-organized for quick assembly and easy use.
- 【Multiple Smart Functions】It supports ultrasonic obstacle avoidance and IR remote control, allowing the car to automatically detect and avoid obstacles or be controlled via the included remote.
- 【Easy Assembly】The modular design with standard connectors and clear wiring makes assembly simple for beginners. We provide tutorial and open source code libraries to help you build and program the car step by step.
- 【Educational STEM Learning】This kit is ideal for learning robotics, programming, and electronics. It helps users understand how microcontrollers work together, improving hands-on skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
- 【Beginner Friendly】Compatible with the Arduino IDE, the kit allows for further customization and expansion. It’s perfect for classroom teaching, personal projects, and STEM competitions.
Rank #4
- Entry-level Coding Robot Toy: mBot robot kit is an excellent educational robot toys, designed for learning electronics, robotics and computer programming in a simple and fun way. From Scratch to Arduino, this STEM projects for kids ages 8-12 helps kids to learn programming step by step via interactive software and learning resources
- Easy to Build: With clearly building instructions, this building kit can be easily built within 15 minutes. Kids will learn more about electronics, machinery, and robotics components through building mBot. You can also play this STEM projects for kids ages 8-12 as a remote control car with its multi-functions: line-follow, obstacle-avoidance and so on
- Rich Tutorials for Programming: With Offerring coding cards and lessons, children can easily use all fonctions of mBot and creat projects by themselves. Matched with 3 free Makeblock apps and mBlock software, kids can enjoy remote control, play programming games, and coding with mBot robot kit. Note that the remote controller needs a CR2025 battery(NOT INCLUDED), and the robot kit needs 4 AA batteries (NOT INCLUDED)
- Awesome Gift for Kids: Surprise your little Kids with super cool robotics kit and let them discover the secrets of programming and electronics. Being well packaged and metal material, this robot kit is a perfect learning and educational toy gift for boys and girls on Birthday, Children's Day, Christmas, Easter, Summer Camp Activities, Back To School, Home Fun Time
- Creative Robot with Add-on Packs: So many fun configuration with an open-source system, this programmable robot is compatible with rich add-on packs. mBot can be connected to 100+ electronic modules and 500+ parts from the Makeblock platform, compatible with LEGO parts
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