Robots are probably going to be the way of the future, so it would be quite useful if you want to know a thing or two about robots. There is a lot of satisfaction you can obtain if you can get a robot to perform simple tasks or even the process of constructing them. Although it may seem like you will need immense amount of studying to create your own robot, thankfully there are robot kits that allow you to build them even without much knowledge about robots. These kits are great if you have a hobby of building things or even if you are looking for project ideas to do your final year project in your college engineering degree. It is also a great learning experience as you will be able to understand the basic principles and parts used in building robots. Here are a few of the best robot kits that you can purchase.
1. Wonder Workshop Dash – Coding Robot for Kids 6+
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Why we like it: If you are looking for a new toy to help your budding engineer, scientist, or artist understand the magic of coding, then the Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot can be one of the best gifts to give your little one on their next birthday. The Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot features a variety of cool options that will have your child falling in love with coding. This little robot, Dash, will be ready to go right out of the box, however, your child can explore their creativity by practicing different voice commands that Dash can follow. Some of these commands come built into the robot, but many of these commands can be programs so that your child can have a one-on-one interaction with coding.
There are several different apps, five to be exact, that will work in conjunction with the Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot. These apps will allow your child to try their hand out at coding for the first time. Additionally, they will get a real world and immediate experience of what it means to code and see results.
To help your child connect with others who are in the STEM field, there Is a Wonderland that is all about pushing the boundaries and challenging kids to create and explore. It is on this platform that other children can work together to help create different sequences that can be tried out on their robot. Whether it’s playing with the robot for the first time or teaching them a sequence that would allow you to navigate and control it, children are sure to have lots of fun in the whole process of coding with the Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot. There are several different options when purchasing the Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot. Some of these include a STEM Activity Bundle, the STEM Creativity Bundle, or you can purchase the full Wonder Pack that gives you everything you need for the budding coder in your world.
2. LEGO Mindstorms EV3 31313
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Why we like it: If you don’t mind spending some money, then a great robot starter kit would be the Lego Mindstorms EV3. The robot has an ARM9 Processor that is capable of doing intense processing. There is also a USB port through which you can connect the robot to the Wi-Fi. You will also be able to use a Micro SD on the robot as it comes with a micro SD card reader. The buttons on the robot are back-lit so you won’t have a hard time using it during night time. The robot functions on powerful servo motors and allows you to control the robot remotely via the remote control. There are a variety of other sensors that come with the robot which can all be programmed to do certain tasks. The programming of the robot can be done using the EV3 Programmer which is available on both iTunes and Google Play. The instructions for building the robot is provided in the box and you can get further instructions online.
3. Meccano-Erector – Super Construction Set
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Why we like it: With the Meccano-Erector, you can build up to 25 different motorized robots making it a good starter robot kit to purchase. It is great to be used by teens and adults alike as it is quite simple to construct, yet helps you get a good understanding of how motorized robot vehicles can be constructed. You can even build a motorized crane which comes with a powerful motor that let you control the crane and also the extendable hook of the robot. The package comes with over 620 real parts through which you can build 25 completely different robots using only two tools which are also provided. The plastic case that comes with the kit is great for making sure that the parts do not get lost when they are carried around. There is an instruction sheet that comes with the kit which provides the instructions to construct the robots.
4. 4M Table Top Robot
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Why we like it: This robot kit involves is focused around the process of building a robotic crab. The robot crab, after it is assembled, will be able to move around the table on its own and has the appropriate sensors to detect if it is approaching and obstacle and thereby change its course. It can also perform various tricks rather than simply move on the table. However, there isn’t any programming involved and therefore it is only suggested if you plan on getting a very basic understanding of robots. You will get all the detailed instructions along with the parts needed to build the robot. This is suitable for children who are about 10 years old and is not recommended for children below 8 due to the small parts that it is made of. One of the main advantages is that it is sold at a very affordable budget.
5. Ozobot Starter Pack
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Why we like it: The Ozobot Starter pack is a simple and easy to use robot kit that you can get if you are new to the field of robotics. The company has a very good reputation as it was the winner of the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show and also a previous competition as well. The robot kit is a great way to learn about programming and also if you want to enjoy building a robot. The Ozobot Apps allow you to play games with the robot and these can be downloaded for free. You can also control the Ozobot with markers by programming it to follow lines. This can be a great way to come up with new and interesting ways of playing competitive games. The Ozobot robot kit is definitely recommended for teachers and you will be able to get free lesson plans by contacting the Ozobot company.
6. Ozobot 2.0 Bit
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Why we like it: If you have already purchased and used the Ozobot Starter kit, then you can opt for a more advanced kit with the Ozobot 2.0 robot. This robot kit involves mainly programming as the Ozobot comes pre-constructed with the box. You can program the Ozobot to do various tasks which includes even making it to dance. Get two of these and you can have a fun time racing them against the other robot. The robot measures less than 2 inches in size so you can come up with various creative games that you can use it for. Apart from coming up with your own ideas, there are various games that you can download from the Ozobot website. Though it is a very simple starter kit, you can still use it even if you possess advanced knowledge in the field of robotics. You will receive a 90-day warranty just like the Ozobot starter kit, so you don’t have to worry if you receive a damaged product.
7. Makeblock mBot Kit
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Why we like it: The Makebot is a good starter robot kit that is mainly suited for kids. Though it is geared towards educational purposes for kids, it can still be quite educational for adults too if they aren’t too familiar with robots. The kit is a great for STEM education as well and for teaching young kids to program robots. The kit comes with 38 parts that can be assembled together with appropriate sensors and wires provided. Though it may seem like a no brainer due to the amount of parts that are needed, it will still take about ten minutes to construct. The important parts of the robot are colour labelled to indicate the proper wiring. The programming of the robot features a graphical interface to drag and drop the software blocks which is based on the Scratch 2.0 programming language. You won’t be limited to simply what’s in the box as it is fully extensible due to its compatibility with Lego parts.
8. 4M Tin Can Robot
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Why we like it: Another interesting robot kit you can get from 4M is the Tin Can Robot. This is an innovative robot that makes use of an ordinary used tin can to turn it into a robot. This way you will be able to teach your kids on how everyday items can be turned into something fun and creative. You will receive detailed instructions on how to make the robot along with all the parts that you need to assemble it together apart from the tin can. There is no specifics on the tin can so any ordinary soda can would do. The robot runs on two AAA batteries which you will have to buy separately. The kit is sold at a very cheap budget so you should definitely consider getting it for your child. The robot kid is mainly for children who are above 9 years as it does contain small parts.
Have you considered T-Bots? You can find them here: http://www.klikrobotics.com