Freenove Mecanum 4WD Pico W - Stage 1
What you’ll achieve
• Prove your board, cable, and toolchain work.
• Beep the buzzer once and print a message to Serial.
You’ll need
• Raspberry Pi Pico W (micro-USB)
• A data-capable micro-USB cable (many 'charge-only' cables won’t work)
• Laptop/Chromebook with internet
• (For now) No battery connected — USB power only.
A. Connect the Pico W to your computer
1) All devices (first connection tips)
Use a data USB cable and plug the Pico W into your computer. If the board is brand new or not yet programmed, you may need BOOTSEL mode once:
• Press BOOTSEL (white button), keep it pressed, plug in USB, then release.
• A drive named RPI-RP2 appears.
If RPI-RP2 does not appear and nothing powers on, try another USB port or cable.
2) Windows 10/11
1. Install Arduino IDE 2.x from arduino.cc.
2. Open Arduino IDE → Boards Manager → search 'RP2040' and install 'Raspberry Pi Pico/RP2040 (by Earle Philhower)'.
3. Tools → Board → select 'Raspberry Pi Pico W'.
4. Tools → Upload Method → 'Default (UF2)'.
5. Plug in the Pico W normally. Windows will show a COM port (e.g., COM7).
6. If you can’t upload the first time, unplug, hold BOOTSEL, re-plug, then try again.
3) macOS (Monterey/Ventura/Sonoma)
1. Install Arduino IDE 2.x.
2. Boards Manager → install 'Raspberry Pi Pico/RP2040 (Earle Philhower)'.
3. Tools → Board → 'Raspberry Pi Pico W'.
4. Tools → Upload Method → 'Default (UF2)'.
5. Plug in the Pico W. After upload, the Serial port will look like /dev/cu.usbmodem#.
6. If the first upload fails, use BOOTSEL (hold while plugging in) and try again.
4) Chromebooks
Option A — Arduino Cloud Editor:
1. Go to Arduino Cloud Editor in Chrome.
2. Install the Arduino Create Agent if prompted.
3. Choose 'Raspberry Pi Pico W' as the board.
4. Connect and upload.
Option B — Drag-and-Drop UF2:
1. Ask for the pre-compiled UF2 for Stage 0.
2. Put the Pico W into BOOTSEL mode (hold BOOTSEL while plugging in).
3. A drive RPI-RP2 appears — drag the UF2 file onto it.
4. The drive ejects and the program starts.
B. Prepare the project in Arduino IDE
1. File → New → Save As → Name it 'Multi_Functional_Car'.
2. Add all provided project files to the same folder.
3. If your .ino was named 'Multi_Functional_Car.ino', rename it to 'Multi_Functional_Car.ino'.
4. Optional: install the 'Adafruit NeoPixel' library via Tools → Manage Libraries.
C. Write the Stage 0 'Hello Car' code
#include "Freenove_4WD_Car_For_Pico_W.h"
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
Buzzer_Setup();
Buzzer_Alarm(1);
delay(150);
Buzzer_Alarm(0);
Serial.println("Hello, Car!");
}
void loop() {
static unsigned long t0 = 0;
if (millis() - t0 > 2000) {
t0 = millis();
Serial.println("Stage 0 running...");
}
}
D. Upload & test
1. Tools → Board → Raspberry Pi Pico W.
2. Tools → Upload Method → Default (UF2).
3. Connect via USB and upload.
4. Open Serial Monitor (115200 baud).
5. You should see a short beep and 'Hello, Car!' messages.
E. Troubleshooting
• No beep or Serial: check baud rate and USB cable.
• Upload error: retry with BOOTSEL.
• Wrong/No Port: verify COM or /dev/cu.usbmodem in Tools → Port.
• Car moves unexpectedly: ensure Stage 0 code and USB-only power.
Success criteria
☐ Pico W is detected (RPI-RP2 or COM/usbmodem port appears)
☐ Sketch uploads without error
☐ Short beep on start
☐ Serial shows 'Hello, Car!' and heartbeat every 2 seconds