Hello, dear maker! We believe you are ready to start your journey into hardware learning. Before the beginning, let’s first get to know the main tool we will be using—UNIHIKER K10. In this lesson, you will quickly understand the basic usage of UNIHIKER K10 by running an example program.
What is UNIHIKER K10?
UNIHIKER K10 is a development board based on the ESP32 chip. It not only supports basic microcontroller control functions but also leverages its built-in hardware and software modules to realize more advanced IoT and AI projects.
When you pick it up, you will notice that many functional modules are already integrated onto the circuit board. As shown in the figure below, UNIHIKER K10 comes with an LCD color screen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a camera, microphone, speaker, RGB LEDs, and multiple sensors. It also provides expansion interfaces, known as I/O ports, for connecting more hardware modules to achieve richer functionality.
By now, you should already have a basic idea of UNIHIKER K10. To make its functions clearer, let’s imagine some example projects:
- A self-made energy-saving light that only lights up at night.
- A digital photo frame that plays slideshows when you approach it, helping you recall warm moments.
- A smart car that lets you race with your family.
- A remote monitoring system that allows real-time control of appliances in different rooms.
- A talking companion robot that can answer your child’s questions anytime.
- A smart camera that not only records wonderful moments but also recognizes them and converts them into text.
- An automatic drawing device that creates art from what it sees.
- A home service robot that can move and even help with housework on its own.
All of this can be achieved with the UNIHIKER K10.
Introduction to the Programming Software
In this tutorial series, we will use the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write programs and complete projects.
What is Arduino IDE?
The Arduino IDE is a software tool for programming, compiling, and uploading code to MCU development boards. It provides a simple and user-friendly interface, allowing developers to write, edit, and debug code in the Arduino language (based on C/C++).
In the early projects of this tutorial, we will learn about hardware control principles, hardware interface protocols, and basic control methods. In the mid-stage projects, we will further explore cross-device communication, IoT systems, and AI functionality, guiding you step by step to build related projects. In the later stage, we will combine skills we have learned, and create even more exciting inventions—marking the real start of your maker journey.
Now let’s get familiar with using Arduino language to control the UNIHIKER K10!
First Use
1. Download and install Arduino IDE
Visit the official Arduino IDE website (https://www.arduino.cc/en/software/) and download the version according to your operating system.
Follow the instructions in the installation guide. The installation may take several minutes.
You can now use the Arduino IDE on your Windows computer! For installation on other operating systems, please refer to the following link.
https://docs.arduino.cc/software/ide-v2/tutorials/getting-started/ide-v2-downloading-and-installing/
The Arduino IDE 2 features a new sidebar, making the most commonly used tools more accessible.
- - Verify / Upload - compile and upload your code to your Arduino Board.
- Select Board & Port - detected Arduino boards automatically show up here, along with the port number.
- Sketchbook - here you will find all of your sketches locally stored on your computer. Additionally, you can sync with the Arduino Cloud, and also obtain your sketches from the online environment.
- Boards Manager - browse through Arduino & third party packages that can be installed. For example, using a MKR WiFi 1010 board requires the Arduino SAMD Boards package installed.
- Library Manager - browse through thousands of Arduino libraries, made by Arduino & its community.
- Debugger - test and debug programs in real time.
- Search - search for keywords in your code.
- Open Serial Monitor - opens the Serial Monitor tool, as a new tab in the console.
2. Install Arduino IDE SDK
In the Arduino IDE, the UNIHIKER K10 is integrated as an SDK (Software Development Kit). The SDK URL is:
https://downloadcd.dfrobot.com.cn/UNIHIKER/package_unihiker_index.json
Steps for installation:
STEP 1: Open “File → Preferences”in Arduino IDE.
STEP 2: In the pop-up window, set Compiler warnings to None.
STEP 3: Scroll down to “Additional boards manager URLs” and click the button to add the SDK URL.
STEP 4: Add the above SDK URL on a new line, then click “OK”.
STEP 5: Open “Tools → Board → Boards Manager”.
STEP 6: Search for “unihiker” in the dialog box and click “Install”.
STEP 7: Wait for installation to complete. You can then select“unihiker k10”in the Arduino IDE for development.
*Note: To change the display language of Arduino IDE, go to “File → Preferences”, modify the language, and restart the software.
Quick Start
Now, let’s run an example program to quickly experience programming with UNIHIKER K10.
STEP 1: Select “File → Examples” to view all example codes.
STEP 2: Open the onboard example programs for UNIHIKER K10.
In “Examples”, scroll to “Examples for UNIHIKER K10” and find “unihiker_k10”. Here you will see all onboard programs. Select the program named “LED” as an example to make the onboard RGB LED blink.
The opened program is shown below.
STEP 3: Connect the device and check the port.
Use a USB cable to connect the UNIHIKER K10 to your computer. Then open the Device Manager on your computer and find the port assigned to UNIHIKER K10.
*Note: If no COM port appears after connecting:
- If the PWR indicator is off: hardware issue → contact after-sales support.
- If the PWR indicator is on but no COM port appears, please refer to the link: https://www.unihiker.com/wiki/K10/faq/
- If still no COM port: try another USB Type-C cable.
- If all methods fail: contact technical support.
STEP 4: Select the correct port.
Go to “Tools → Port”and choose the port assigned to UNIHIKER K10 (e.g., COM6).
STEP 5: Compile and upload the program.
Click “Verify” and then “Upload”to send the code via the USB cable to the UNIHIKER K10.
Once uploaded successfully, the output window will confirm program execution, and you will see the RGB LED blinking on the UNIHIKER K10 board.
STEP 6: Save the program.
Click “File → Save As” to save the example program.
Note: Example programs cannot be saved directly. Use “Save As”. New programs created with “File → New” can be saved normally.
