CodeRover Hovercraft — Build It. Code It. Race It.
- BackerBuzz

- Dec 2
- 2 min read
A hands-on robotics kit that brings real engineering to life.

Drift on Air: Build Your Own CodeRover Hovercraft
Robotics kits usually rely on wheels or tracks, limiting them to solid ground. EdifyRobotics is breaking that friction barrier with their latest project, the CodeRover Hovercraft. This isn't just a remote-controlled toy; it is a build-it-yourself engineering kit that lets makers of all levels construct, code, and race a fully functional hovercraft that glides over floors and even water.
Project Overview
Name and Creator: CodeRover Hovercraft — Build It. Code It. Race It. by EdifyRobotics.
What It Is: The CodeRover Hovercraft is a customizable DIY robotics kit powered by an ESP32-S3 core and a high-voltage 4S battery system. It combines laser-cut durability with a real hand-stitched fabric skirt to create an air-cushioned vehicle capable of high-speed drifting. It is designed to be a hands-on lesson in aerodynamics, electronics, and programming.
Key Features
Three Performance Levels: The kit comes in three versions to suit different needs:
Base: A single-prop setup perfect for beginners learning the basics of lift and thrust.
Ultra: Features a larger fan for higher speeds and smoother handling.
Max: The ultimate dual-fan monster with an expanded power system for heavy payloads and custom modifications.
Real Hovercraft Mechanics: Built with a laser-cut MDF and acrylic chassis and a waterproof Oxford fabric skirt, it uses genuine air-cushion physics to glide seamlessly over smooth floors, pavement, and even shallow, calm water.
Open-Source Brain: The heart of the craft is an ESP32-S3 core, fully programmable via Arduino, MicroPython, or block-based coding. This allows users to customize how the craft drives, add sensors, or create autonomous drifting routines.
Touchscreen Control: It includes a dedicated controller with a touchscreen interface, giving you precise real-time telemetry and control over the hovercraft's drift and speed.
Power & Safety: Powered by a 4S LiPo battery pack with an integrated Battery Management System (BMS), ensuring safe, high-output power for the brushless motors.
Reward
Hovercraft Base Kit begins at $289
Base Kit: Includes everything needed to build the single-prop hovercraft.
Ultra & Max Kits: Higher tiers include the upgraded fans and dual-motor setups for advanced makers.
Concept
The core concept is "frictionless creativity." EdifyRobotics wanted to move beyond the limitations of wheeled robots. By using air instead of tires, the CodeRover Hovercraft introduces students and hobbyists to a new type of physics. It emphasizes the "Build, Code, Race" loop, ensuring that the fun doesn't stop once the assembly is finished.
Inspiration
The project was inspired by the desire to evolve maker projects from static models into dynamic, high-speed machines. The team at EdifyRobotics saw a gap in the market for accessible vehicles that could traverse different terrains, specifically water and smooth ground, without changing parts. They engineered the CodeRover Hovercraft to be the perfect bridge between a serious engineering lesson and a high-octane racing game.


