Rover Programming Simulator Tutorial

Learn to program the rover one challenge at a time.

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Getting Started

  1. Choose a Level. You may jump to any level at any time.
  2. Choose a command in the Program pane, enter its value, and click Add.
  3. Use ▲ and ▼ to reorder commands, or ✕ to delete one.
  4. Use Step to test one command at a time. Use Run to execute the whole program.
  5. If something goes wrong, use Stop or Reset Rover. Clear Program removes all commands.
  6. The challenge is complete when the rover finishes completely inside the green target.
Important: The simulator does not save progress. Choosing a new level resets the rover and clears the program.

Commands

Drive Forward/Reverse use millimeters. Turn Left/Right use degrees. Set Drive Speed and Set Turn Speed use percentages. Wait pauses the program. Repeat Previous Command repeats the command directly above it.

Sensor levels add special commands. Drive Until Bumper keeps driving until the front bumper touches something. Drive Until Distance keeps driving until the front distance sensor reads the distance you enter.

Level 1 - First Drive

Goal: Drive straight into the target.

  1. Add Drive Forward.
  2. Try 1200 mm.
  3. Press Run.
#Example program
1Drive Forward 1200 mm

Experiment: change the distance by 100 mm and see where the rover stops.

Level 2 - Make a Turn

Goal: Combine straight driving with a 90° turn.

#Example program
1Drive Forward 650 mm
2Turn Right 90°
3Drive Forward 1200 mm

Use Step first. Notice that turning changes the rover's direction but not its location.

Level 3 - Obstacle Course

Goal: Plan a route around multiple obstacles.

#Example program
1Drive Forward 300 mm
2Turn Left 90°
3Drive Forward 840 mm
4Turn Right 90°
5Drive Forward 1020 mm

This level teaches route planning. Try to find a different successful route.

Level 4 - Meet the Bumper

Goal: Use the bumper switch to find the wall, then back away and park.

Bumper switch: When the rover physically contacts the wall, the bumper changes from open to PRESSED and Drive Until Bumper stops.
#Example program
1Drive Until Bumper
2Drive Reverse 200 mm
3Turn Right 90°
4Drive Forward 300 mm

Watch the Bumper status while the rover touches the wall.

Level 5 - Bumper Navigation

Goal: Use a wall as a known reference point, then navigate around the barriers.

#Example program
1Drive Until Bumper
2Drive Reverse 100 mm
3Turn Left 90°
4Drive Forward 940 mm
5Turn Right 90°
6Drive Forward 1150 mm
7Turn Right 90°
8Drive Forward 150 mm

The bumper lets the program establish a physical reference instead of relying only on a guessed travel distance.

Level 6 - Distance Stop

Goal: Approach the wall without touching it, then turn toward the target.

Distance sensor: The blue dashed line shows the sensor direction. The live status shows the approximate distance to the first wall or field boundary in front of the rover.
#Example to start with
1Drive Until Distance 200 mm
2Turn Right 90°
3Drive Forward 300 mm

Run or Step through the program and watch the distance value fall as the rover approaches the wall. Adjust the final drive distance if needed to center the rover in the target.

Level 7 - Sensor Challenge

Goal: Use distance readings to navigate the tighter course without a collision.

  1. Before adding commands, look at the blue sensor line and the live distance reading.
  2. Use Drive Until Distance to stop safely before a barrier.
  3. Turn so the sensor points along the next safe path.
  4. Use another sensor-controlled drive when approaching the next obstacle.
  5. Use Step frequently and adjust your distances and turns.
#Example strategy
1Drive Until Distance 150 mm
2Turn Left 90°
3Drive Until Distance 150 mm
4+Continue turning and sensing to find a safe route to the target.

Unlike the earlier examples, this challenge is intended for experimentation. There can be more than one successful program.

Debugging Tips