ACEBOTT QD028 2-in-1 Football & Battle Car Kit

Specifications

• Main Controller: ESP32-CAM (WiFi + Bluetooth + Camera capable)
• Operating Modes: 2-in-1 Transformable (Football Striker / Battle Sumo)
• Actuator: 25KG High-Torque Digital Servo (Metal Gear)
• Drive System: DC Gear Motors with high-grip rubber tires
• Control Interface: CSGC Mobile App (Android/iOS) or IR Remote
• Programming Support: Arduino IDE, ACECode (Graphical Block Coding)
• Power Input: 2x 18650 Li-ion Batteries (Not Included)
• Expansion Ports: I2C, UART, and GPIO breakouts for sensors

Applications 

• STEM Classrooms: Perfect for "Robot Soccer" tournaments where students learn teamwork and coding simultaneously.
• Home Automation Learning: Use the ESP32 to learn IoT concepts—reprogram the car to report telemetry data to a web server.
• Competitive Robotics: A low-cost entry point for Sumo Bot competitions.
• Mobile App Development: Modify the open-source code to create your own custom controller interface.

Project Evolution

• If you've mastered: The basic "Obstacle Avoiding Robot" or simple Arduino blink sketches...
• This Kit Unlocks: Wireless Telemetry & High-Current Control. You will move from simple autonomous loops to real-time, human-in-the-loop wireless control systems. You'll learn how to manage power budgets when running WiFi and motors simultaneously.
• Effort Level: Intermediate. Requires assembly (screwdriving, cable management) and library installation. No soldering required.
• Minimum Hardware: A PC/Mac for programming and 2x 18650 batteries.

Virtual Technician & Safety Guide ⚠️

• Battery Warning: This kit requires high-discharge 18650 Lithium-ion batteries. Always check the polarity before inserting them into the holder. Inserting them backward can instantly destroy the motor driver IC.
• Servo Care: The 25KG servo is powerful. Ensure the "arms" (the kicking/pushing mechanism) are not manually forced when the power is on, as this can strip the internal gears despite them being metal.
• Code Uploading: When uploading code to the ESP32-CAM, you may need to press the "IO0" or "RST" button on the mainboard if the upload hangs. This is normal behavior for ESP32 bootloaders.
• Probots Secure-Transit: We ship this kit in a reinforced box with static-shielding for the ESP32 board to ensure no ESD damage occurs during shipping.

Required Additional Items (Not Included)

• 2x 18650 Li-ion Batteries (Flat top recommended)
• 18650 Battery Charger

Package Includes : 

• 1 x ACEBOTT QD028 2-in-1 Football & Battle Car Kit

Technical FAQs

• Does the ACEBOTT QD028 kit include batteries?
  No, the kit requires 2x 18650 3.7V Lithium-ion batteries which must be purchased separately.
• Can I program this robot with Python?
  While it natively supports C++ (Arduino) and ACECode (Scratch), advanced users can flash MicroPython firmware to the ESP32, though official examples are in C++.
• How do I switch between Football and Battle modes?
  The switching is mechanical. You physically unscrew and swap the front "kicker" attachment for the "shield" attachment. The code remains the same for movement.
• What app do I need to control the robot?
  You need the "CSGC" or "ACEBOTT" app available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
• Is this kit suitable for an 8-year-old?
  It is recommended for ages 10+ due to the complexity of assembly and wiring. Adult supervision is suggested for the coding setup.
• Can I add a camera to this robot later?
  The main controller is an ESP32-CAM compatible board, so it technically supports a camera module, but you may need to modify the chassis to mount it securely.
• Why is my robot resetting when the motors start?
  This is a classic "Brown-out." Your 18650 batteries are likely low on charge or have a low discharge rating. Charge them fully.
• Does the servo require a separate power supply?
  No, the onboard shield handles the power distribution from the 18650 batteries to both the ESP32 and the high-torque servo.
• What is the range of the Bluetooth/WiFi control?
  In an open area (like a classroom or hall), the WiFi AP mode range is approximately 15-20 meters.
• Can I use standard AA batteries instead of 18650?
  No, AA batteries do not provide enough current (Amps) to drive the 25KG servo and the motors simultaneously.
• Do I need to solder anything?
  No, the entire kit uses JST connectors and screw terminals. It is a solder-less assembly.
• Where can I find the assembly instructions?
  A visual manual is included in the box. A digital PDF version is also linked in the resources section above.
• Is the source code open source?
  Yes, ACEBOTT provides the source code, allowing you to modify the speed, sensitivity, and button mapping.
• Can I control multiple robots in the same room?
  Yes, via Bluetooth. If using WiFi AP mode, you must ensure each robot has a unique SSID or IP address configuration.
• What is the torque of the servo motor?
  The included servo is rated at 25KG-cm torque, which is significantly stronger than standard blue 9g servos.
• Does it work with a PS4 controller?
  Not out of the box. However, since it uses an ESP32, you can use the "Bluepad32" library to pair a PS4 controller if you write custom code.
• How long does the battery last on a full charge?
  With 2200mAh batteries, you can expect about 45-60 minutes of continuous play/battling.
• Can I add line-following sensors to this?
  Yes, the expansion shield has unused GPIO pins where you can connect standard IR line sensors.
• Is the chassis made of metal or plastic?
  The main chassis plates are made of high-quality, laser-cut acrylic.
• What happens if I plug the batteries in backward?
  The board does not have reverse polarity protection. Doing so will damage the board immediately. Please verify polarity symbols (+) and (-).