Category: Maker Faire Rome

Exploring Alvik: 3 fun and creative projects with Arduino’s educational robot platform

Alvik is cute, it’s smart, it’s fun… so what can it actually do?  To answer this question, we decided to have fun and put the robot to the test with some of the most creative people we know – our own team! A dozen Arduino employees volunteered for a dedicated Make Tank session earlier this […]

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Alvik is cute, it’s smart, it’s fun… so what can it actually do? 

To answer this question, we decided to have fun and put the robot to the test with some of the most creative people we know – our own team! A dozen Arduino employees volunteered for a dedicated Make Tank session earlier this fall, and came up with a few great in-house projects for us to share – and you to try! 

We were so happy with the creative and engaging ideas that we took them on the road for the Maker Faire Rome 2024: they were a hit and attracted many curious visitors to the Arduino booth.

Hello, Alvik!

This interactive project, created by Christian Sarnataro and Leonardo Cavagnis, brings to life Alvik’s friendly personality. By waving your hands in front of a Nicla Vision camera, you trigger a cheerful “big hands” gesture in response: it’s Alvik’s way of welcoming newcomers to robotics!

Why it’s great: The project highlights Alvik’s ease of use and intuitive interactivity, while demonstrating how advanced learners can tap into the robot’s AI capabilities to create meaningful, engaging robotic experiences.

Robo-Fight Club

Developed by Davide Neri and Alexander Entinger, this competitive game turns Alvik into a feisty battling robot. Participants control their Alvik to push opponents out of the arena, while trying special moves like “yellow-banana” for spins, “green-slime” to reverse controls, and “blue-ice” to freeze competitors for five seconds. Any robot stepping out of the arena automatically loses the match.

Why it’s great: Robo-Fight Club demonstrates how Alvik can be used for multiplayer, interactive gaming experiences while teaching users about programming logic and control systems.

Alvik Mini City

In this project by Giovanni Bruno, Julián Caro Linares, and Livia Luo, Alvik works tirelessly in a mini city, moving balls from one floor to another. The project showcases how robotics can assist in repetitive and potentially hazardous tasks, inspiring us to imagine practical applications for robotics in their daily lives.

Why it’s great: This project emphasizes how Alvik is more than just an educational robot – it’s a tool for exploring real-world use cases in automation and problem-solving.

Your turn!

Alvik is the perfect companion to learn coding and robotics because it’s easy to get started with, but powerful enough to support complex projects. With the option to program using block-based coding, in MicroPython or the Arduino language, everyone from beginners to advanced users can choose the environment that suits their needs best!

Inspired by these projects? Check out all of Alvik’s features and specs on this page, or go ahead and start your journey today! Don’t forget to share your creations with us: upload your projects to Project Hub or email [email protected] – we can’t wait to see what you build!

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Discover #Virgil: history comes to life with Arduino

We’re excited to introduce #Virgil, an innovative project that combines the power of Arduino technology with a passion for history, creating a groundbreaking interactive experience for museums.  Using Arduino’s versatile and scalable ecosystem, #Virgil operates completely offline, allowing visitors to interact with 3D avatars in a seamless and immersive way. The project brings the past […]

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We’re excited to introduce #Virgil, an innovative project that combines the power of Arduino technology with a passion for history, creating a groundbreaking interactive experience for museums. 

Using Arduino’s versatile and scalable ecosystem, #Virgil operates completely offline, allowing visitors to interact with 3D avatars in a seamless and immersive way. The project brings the past to life, offering dialogue-driven encounters with key historical figures thanks to voice recognition and edge AI – with the option to choose among many different languages.

“#Virgil is meant to celebrate the past and, more importantly, open new avenues for education and inspiration. We want to prove how technology, when guided by ethical values, can amplify and perpetuate our cultural heritage in ways that used to be unimaginable,” comments Enrico Benevenuta, coordinator of the Territori Svelati project and AI expert.

Matteo Olivetti, great-grandson of Olivetti’s founder Camillo, drew inspiration from the iconic Divisumma to design a dedicated hardware setup, Olivox. 

Powered by the Portenta X8 and Max Carrier, the device connects via HDMI to any screen, engaging visitors in a rich, interactive experience without the need for smartphones or a stable internet connection. This approach allows the project to adapt easily to different exhibitions and contexts, while offering full control over the visitor experience.

Internationally renowned 3D artist Elvis Morelli was entrusted with creating the first avatar of the project – and it’s no coincidence that Camillo Olivetti was chosen. 

The story of Olivetti resonates deeply with Arduino’s own mission of pushing the boundaries of technology, and #Virgil represents a continuation of that legacy by bridging the gap between the past and future through cutting-edge tools.

To find out more about the project and perhaps have a chat with your favorite pioneer of technology and innovation, visit #Virgil’s booth at the upcoming Maker Faire Rome 2024, booth E.09. Don’t forget to stop by Arduino’s booth N.07 to find out more about our products, and let us know what you asked Camillo!

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Let’s play at the Maker Faire Rome 2024!

We are excited to be back at Maker Faire Rome as a Gold Sponsor of the 12th edition (25-27 October 2024), with some exciting experiences lined up for all makers, innovators, and creators who attend! Learn by playing at our booth  Visit us at the fair for a playful, interactive experience where you can explore […]

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We are excited to be back at Maker Faire Rome as a Gold Sponsor of the 12th edition (25-27 October 2024), with some exciting experiences lined up for all makers, innovators, and creators who attend!

Learn by playing at our booth 

Visit us at the fair for a playful, interactive experience where you can explore the world of Arduino through fun, hands-on demos and games. 

We want to offer a creative approach to learning how to use technology, and give everyone a chance to draw inspiration from some simply fantastic projects: have you seen the new spin Luca Doglione, our Plug and Make Kit Star, has put on vintage arcade games? That’s just one example of what you’ll find at the Arduino booth in Hall 41. So, join us to have fun and let your imagination soar, as you create your own personalized projects!

Within a complete ecosystem of easy-to-use hardware, software solutions and cloud services, we will turn the spotlight on some of our most exciting product launches for the year, designed to make innovation more accessible than ever: Alvik robot and Plug and Make Kit. 

Our latest maker kit has something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned engineer or a beginner just starting your journey! So be sure to come check out our growing range of tools, and discover firsthand how fun, quick and easy it can be to make – not just use – technology. 

Don’t miss exclusive product discounts

We’ll be offering unprecedented discounts on Arduino products, available through our official resellers at Maker Faire Rome. This is a unique opportunity to get your hands on the latest tech, at prices you won’t find anywhere else!

Meet the Arduino team and community

Come meet the Arduino staff, connect with content creators, and interact with fellow fans at this year’s Maker Faire Rome. Whether you’re seeking technical advice, creative inspiration, or just want to geek out with like-minded people, our booth will be the place to be.

Mark your calendars and join us at Maker Faire Rome 2024, October 25th-27th at Gazometro Ostiense. Just remember to get your tickets in advance! 

We can’t wait to meet you, play together, and build the future of making.

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