Getting Started¶
PhysiCar AI is a creative Physical AI education platform.
Through hands-on examples, you build your own robot and self-driving with your own hands and grow into a Physical AI Creator.
Anyone can start — free, easy, and fast
Every hands-on activity runs in your web browser, with nothing to install — we recommend the Chrome browser.
You can start for free with the $5 welcome credit that comes with your PhysiCar AI account (launch event).
About PhysiCar AI¶
Platform structure¶
PhysiCar AI is made up of three parts.
-
Site (physicar.ai)
The platform's official homepage.
Manage your account and learn and grow on your own through tutorials, learning docs, and more. -
Simulator (SIM)
A space to practice with a virtual robot in the simulator.
Practice right away with a virtual robot, with no real robot. -
Physical robot (REAL)
The physical robot (Real).
After practicing with a virtual robot in the simulator, optimize on the real robot.
Sim2Real¶
PhysiCar AI provides a digital twin practice environment. The simulator has the same web console, ROS 2 topics, and Web API as the real robot, so the code and models you practice on a virtual robot — even without a real robot — run as-is on the physical one.
Build it virtually → verify and optimize it on the real robot: this whole flow is Sim2Real.
Concept → Digital twin · Start now → Start with a virtual robot
Physical robot (REAL)¶
PhysiCar is physical + car — a 1/16-scale real robot that combines a car-shaped body with AI.
| Part | Spec |
|---|---|
| Computer | Raspberry Pi 5 |
| Camera | 480×360, pan/tilt ±30°, night vision |
| LiDAR | 360°, approx. 0.1–16 m |
| IMU | 6-axis (accelerometer + gyroscope) |
| Drive | Ackermann steering ±20°, up to 3.0 m/s |
| Other | Speaker, rear touchscreen |
Structure & sensors in detail → Robot anatomy & sensors
Your learning path¶
Start easy, follow along, and let the "why" wait for the Learn pages.
- Sim2Real — run a virtual robot in your browser, then a real one, then move your work between them.
- Basics — the workspace, the robot's controls and sensors, the AI tutor, and your account & credits.
- Racing — one track, every AI method: rule-based → supervised learning → reinforcement learning.
- Agent — turn an LLM into a robot agent with your own instructions and tools, then vibe-code a project.
- Advanced — object detection, navigation (SLAM · Nav2), your own robot app, and the APIs.
- World Building — design a world, add an evaluation, publish it, and print the real track.
Teachers & organizations¶
- Classroom operation — students join with an invite code; their usage is billed to the teacher's credits within limits you set (classroom · billing).
- Classes & competitions — publish worlds to your classroom, auto-score with evaluations, and run offline events with printed tracks and the Racing Lap Timer (guide).
Get ready¶
Create your account¶
You'll need an account for a smooth experience. AI chat and simulator usage time are deducted from your credits.
- Sign up for PhysiCar AI — Sign up (email-based). Your PhysiCar AI account is all you need — no GitHub account required.
Credits & pricing in detail → Credits & pricing
Buy a physical robot (optional)¶
If you want to practice with a real robot, buy the robot, official track, fences, and accessories from the Store.
Once it arrives → Start with a physical robot