Description #
Cargo-Bot is a puzzle-based programming game where users instruct a robot arm to move colored crates. It teaches concepts like sequencing, procedures, loops, and debugging in a fun and visual way. Designed for tablets, it’s a favorite in classrooms and coding clubs.
History #
Cargo-Bot was developed by Two Lives Left and released in 2012. It gained attention for being the first game ever programmed entirely on an iPad, using the Codea platform. Its intuitive design and challenging puzzles make it a tool for developing algorithmic thinking.
Hello World Code #
Cargo-Bot doesn’t use typed code. Instead, players create sequences such as:
[Move Left] → [Pick Up] → [Move Right] → [Drop]These actions are programmed into procedures and invoked to solve puzzles.
How to Run #
Option 1: iPad (Recommended)
- Download from the App Store – Cargo-Bot
Option 2: Android/Web (Not Available)
- No official Android or web version exists. Emulators may be used with caution.
Key Concepts #
- Visual programming with puzzles
- Sequencing commands
- Use of procedures (custom actions)
- Loops and repetition
- Debugging through trial and error
- Efficient problem solving
- No text or syntax
- Ideal for ages 10+
- Progressively harder levels
- Introduces abstraction and optimization
Try It Online #
- Currently, Cargo-Bot is only available on iOS.
- App Store – Cargo-Bot
Fun Facts #
- Cargo-Bot was written entirely on an iPad using Codea.
- It has been used in classrooms for logic puzzles and programming warm-ups.
- Over 1.5 million players have downloaded and solved its puzzles.
