Robotics: Smart Machine

Details

Learn how to build and customise robots. Build no less than 8 motorized machines controlled by programs and an ultrasound sensor. Easily code the programs yourself using an intuitive visual programming app on a tablet or smartphone, which connects to the robot via a wireless Bluetooth connection.

Build a humanoid robot that walks forward on two legs and pivots to avoid obstacles in its path! An awesome stag beetle model moves backwards or forwards in response to an obstacle, and opens and closes its pincers. Construct a funny crocodile model that wags its tail if no object is in sight, but then opens its giant jaws when an object approaches. After you've learned how the technology works, design and construct your own robotic designs using 230 pieces.

A full-color, 64-page step-by-step illustrated manual helps you assemble the models and teaches about robotics in the real world. The visual programming language allows you to command the robots motors to move at different times, different power levels, in different directions, and in response to the data from the sensor.

This clever STEM kit is a fun, interactive and age-appropriate introduction to robotics. Age: 8+

What You Get

The Robotics: Smart Machine by Thames & Kosmos. The kit includes everything you need to build all 9 robots. Requires a tablet or smartphone running iOS (iPhone 4S or later, iPad 3 or later, iPod 5 or later) or Android (Android 4.3 or later on a device with Bluetooth 4.0 support).

How does it work?

A robot is a little bit like you or me. For one, it understands the world around it by using sensors. Just as we detect sensory information from our sensory organs - our eyes pick up light. Robots create an understanding of their surroundings through sensors, your robot has an ultrasonic sensor.

The ultrasonic sensor works on the same principle as sonar. It sends out sound waves, which bounce off objects. The sensor interprets the echoes returning to it, and from this detects objects in the path of the sensor. Using the app interface, you can program the robots you build to behave based on the feedback coming from the ultrasound sensor.