Table of Contents

Marty the Robot V2 App

Use the current Robotical app to program, control and configure your Marty V2. This guide explains how to open the app, connect the right robot, and find its main tools and settings.

You can create on-screen projects in Blocks and Blocks Jr without a robot connected. Controlling a physical Marty and reading its live sensors require a connection.

The Marty Web App

Open the Robotical web app. You can use it without installing the mobile app.

For a Bluetooth connection, use Chrome or Edge on a supported computer or Chromebook with Bluetooth available. The browser must offer Web Bluetooth access; having Bluetooth hardware alone does not guarantee that every browser can connect. If your browser cannot offer a Bluetooth device chooser, use the Robotical mobile app instead.

You can also open the coding tools directly:

Phone and tablet app

Install the current Robotical app for your device:

When connecting, follow the app's Bluetooth permission prompts. The mobile app finds nearby robots inside the app; the standalone web app uses the browser's Bluetooth chooser.

Find your way around the app

The current Robotical Home screen with its connection controls, coding tools, navigation and App settings gear

Home contains the main tools:

  • Blocks Jr — picture blocks for first programs and on-screen stories.
  • Blocks — Scratch-based coding with scripts, variables, sensors and extensions.
  • Marty Controller — direct movement controls and a short-command Sequencer. Connect Marty before opening it.
  • Sensor Dashboard — explore readings from connected robot sensors.

The app also supports Cog, so you may see a Cog Games tile or Cog activities alongside Marty tools. You can choose which robot content is visible in App settings.

The navigation includes Home, Activities, a Robot settings icon and Help. The App settings gear is in the top-right corner on the desktop layout. Robot settings is inactive until a device is connected.

Getting your Marty connected to the app

Turn on Marty, enable Bluetooth on your computer or mobile device, and keep Marty nearby. For your first connection, use Bluetooth under App settings → Marty connection method.

Choose the blue Marty face in the connection area to connect Marty directly. You can also choose the larger Connect button to open Choose a Device, then select Connect Marty.

The current Choose a Device dialog with Connect Marty and Connect Cog choices, using Bluetooth

Connect in a web browser

  1. Open the Robotical web app and choose Connect Marty.
  2. In the browser's Bluetooth device chooser, select your Marty and confirm the connection.
  3. Wait for the app to show its robot-verification prompt.
  4. Compare the three coloured lights shown in the app with the lights on the back of your Marty. Confirm with Yes only when the patterns match.
  5. If they do not match, choose No or Cancel, then connect to the correct Marty.

Connect in the phone or tablet app

  1. Open the Robotical app and choose Connect Marty.
  2. Follow any Bluetooth permission prompts, then wait for the app's scan results.
  3. Select your Marty from the list of discovered devices. Use its name and the light-pattern check to identify it.
  4. Compare the three colours shown in the app with your Marty's lights, then choose Yes when they match.
  5. If the robot is missing, use Scan Again when available. If the colours do not match, reject that selection and try the correct robot.

A robot's position in the list is not a reliable way to identify it. The light-pattern check is especially useful when several Martys are nearby.

After verification, Marty appears in the connection area. If several devices are connected, select the Marty you intend to use before opening its controls or Robot settings. Use its Disconnect control when you have finished.

If Marty does not appear

  • Check that Marty is on, charged and nearby, and that Bluetooth is enabled on your computer or mobile device.
  • Check the app or browser's Bluetooth permission, and try the connection again.
  • If another app or device is using Marty, disconnect that session before retrying.
  • In the web app, use a browser that supports Web Bluetooth. In the mobile app, try Scan Again when the scan has finished.

For further help, open Help → Open FAQ or visit Support & FAQs.

App settings

The top-right App settings gear contains preferences for the app:

The current App settings menu with visible content, Marty connection method, app language and Issue Report

  • Visible content: show Marty and/or Cog content in Home and Activities.
  • Marty connection method: choose Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for Marty. Cog uses Bluetooth.
  • App language: choose the interface language.
  • Issue Report: open the app's issue-reporting form.

Choosing Wi-Fi here changes how the app connects to Marty. It does not put Marty onto a Wi-Fi network. First configure Marty's network connection through Robot settings, then follow the Wi-Fi guide when connecting over that network. Wi-Fi availability depends on the browser or app version; follow any support or update prompt shown by the app.

Robot settings

After connecting Marty, choose the Robot settings icon in the navigation. If the app asks you to choose a device, select the Marty whose settings you want to view.

Marty's settings include:

  • Connection information and Disconnect: check the current connection and disconnect Marty.
  • Wi-Fi: view or configure Marty's network connection. See Connecting Marty to Wi-Fi.
  • Diagnostics: open diagnostic information for Marty and its sensors.
  • Robot name: change the name used to identify your Marty.
  • Calibrate: open Marty's calibration tools.
  • Add-ons: manage connected expansions. See Sensors & Add-ons.
  • Update your Marty: open the firmware updater. The robot's current firmware version is shown in this section. See Updating Marty for the update instructions.

App settings changes preferences on your computer or mobile device. Robot settings configures the selected physical Marty.

Find activities

Choose Activities in the navigation, then use the section links to find Marty Blocks Jr Activities or Marty Blocks Activities. Select an activity card to open its coding environment and tutorial.

The current Activities screen with Marty Blocks Jr Activities selected in the navigation

For more lesson plans, videos and classroom resources, visit Robotical's Learning Platform.

Help and app information

Choose the Help question-mark icon to open Help & Support.

The current Help and Support screen with FAQ, Issue Report, privacy, accessibility, analytics and warranty controls

Help includes Open FAQ, Issue Report, warranty-service links, and privacy and accessibility information. Data Analytics opens the app's analytics-consent controls.

In the phone or tablet app, Help can also show the app version near the bottom of the page. This is separate from Marty's firmware version, which appears in Robot settings.

Screenshots show the current desktop web app with no robot connected. The layout and connection prompts can differ on phones, tablets and smaller screens.