Programmable robot for children: review, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

According to the latest surveys of parents conducted by sociologists in our country, robotics kits for children are gaining more and more popularity, not only among high school students, but also among 4-5-year-olds.

Now the domestic market has a huge selection of kits that are designed for children of all ages, with different levels of training and knowledge.

Features of constructors

All programmable robots are united not only by the function of the game, but also by learning. Designers for schoolchildren are often accompanied by workbooks, textbooks, glossaries, teaching materials for teachers. Kits for younger groups, in particular for preschoolers, are not designed to use serious pedagogical materials, however, in this case, the child does not just play, but studies mechanisms and physical laws in an accessible form.

Undoubtedly, a robot constructor for children of four to six years does not offer the assembly and programming of a humanoid android. At the initial stages, robotics is the study of models, working with simple motors, etc.

Age groups

Today, construction robots are produced for children aged four to fifteen. A thoughtful set corresponds to the level of knowledge of a young designer or engineer: the older the child, the more difficult the models are offered to him. Most manufacturers offer models for the following age groups:

4 to 6 years old

Simple models with bright and large details and captivating content. Usually, in this case, the kid is offered to collect airplanes, cars, animals in order to get the first idea of what a mechanism is. The task of such designers for kids is to develop the child's fine motor skills, perseverance, attention, ingenuity, and teach teamwork.

7 to 9 years old

Robot construction robot for younger students is getting more challenging. This can be said both about the models themselves and about the topics studied. Children get acquainted with physical laws and phenomena in more detail, begin to study the work of various sensors. For this reason, such sets are successfully used in physics lessons. Many kits offer not only to build a car, but also to make it move: drive along the line, drive away from the edge of the table.

10 to 15 years old

Programmable robot for high school students, implies almost complete immersion in robotics (excluding modeling and printing parts, although the kit from Fischertechnik allows you to assemble a real 3D printer). Working with mechanisms in thiswhen combined with programming - kits can be supplied with programmable boards so that a future engineer can see how they function and try to set the commands themselves.

LEGO

One of the most popular and well-known brands in the world is also a recognized leader in educational robotics. In many schools, it is his kits that are used in the classroom, which are distinguished by their versatility, a wide range of materials for teachers, and the availability of workbooks.

The well-known brand offers several lines for children of different ages. For the smallest, "First mechanisms" (5+) or "Simple mechanisms" (7+) are suitable. Classes with these designers do not require serious knowledge in robotics, the kits only acquaint children with what a mechanism is and how it functions. The future structural engineer will learn how levers, gears and more work.

WeDo and WeDo 2 lines

This robot toy is programmable, allowing kids aged 7 to 10 to assemble the first real mechanism. The kits consist of many parts for the robot body, as well as a variety of sensors (tilt, movement), didactic materials, software.

In a separate group should be allocated constructors, which deal in detail with topics related not only to physical phenomena, but also to some other disciplines, technology, for example. Such sets include Renewable Energy Sources, Pneumatics and others.

MINDSTORMS EducationEV3

These are the most challenging LEGO building sets available for high school students. The kits allow you to create a full-fledged prefabricated programmable robot with various sensors, which is able to interact with other robots from this manufacturer.

Huna

South Korean specialists, developing programmable constructors for children, adhere to the rule - "From simple to complex". Already for children from the age of six to eight, the brand offers to assemble simple mechanisms with an engine, sensors that determine the distance, and sound. Such sets are based on models familiar to all kids: fairy tale characters (for example, Thomas the Tank Engine or characters from The Three Little Pigs), cars, animals. Each set comes with clear instructions that will help your child (with the help of adults, of course) assemble an interesting moving model.

MRT (My Robot Time)

Older guys will be interested in this line, in which you can pick up sets more difficult. All kits include a motor, sensors and other necessary elements. The main feature of Huna programmable robots is the ability to connect parts on all six sides.

An interesting development of the company was kits for joint, group work: guys can build a zoo and even a city or dream up on the themes "New Year and Christmas", "Dreams and Reality".

Fischertechnik (Germany)

This German manufacturer is not inferior to competitors, which has prepared sets for children of different age groups. For example, for aspiring inventors aged five and over, a "Kit for Toddlers" has been created, as well as a "Super Kit for Toddlers".

Each set will allow the child to build several models of aircraft, cars, a crane and other understandable and familiar objects.

Fischertechnik offers younger students to solve more complex problems. For example, build a solar-powered car or a remote-controlled tractor. The brand has developed kits for studying optical phenomena, pneumatics, fuel cells, the laws of dynamics, and various engines. These and other similar educational construction sets will help the children to get acquainted with various aspects of the school physics course in a playful way, but, most importantly, to apply theoretical knowledge in practice.

Engino (Cyprus)

Brand known for a wide variety of educational interactive programmable robots. In addition, Engino offers an original series for girls: the details of the designers are made in pastel colors, and the models themselves are closer to the beautiful half of humanity.

Mechanical Science and Discovering Stem

It is impossible not to mention these series from Engino. With their help, the child will visually study various physical phenomena - the work of levers, cranks, wedges, get acquainted with the laws of Newton and solar energy. Stem stands for Science (science), Technology (technology), Engineering(engineering) and Mathematics (mathematics). Designers are dedicated to these areas.

Makeblock (Germany)

The most interesting robots produced by this company are undoubtedly those that can be used for their intended purpose after assembly. For example, Airblock Drone or Laserbot engraver, which allow you to assemble a boat or hovercraft. The kits are equipped with everything necessary for the full operation of the device. For example, a young engraver will need a laser head, software, brackets, and more.

Silverlit - programmable robot (36 functions)

This technologically unique toy from Chinese manufacturers is a real miracle. The programmable robot has thirty-six functions and comes with a small robot. The main character of the set can:

• perform sequential actions (no more than thirty-six in one cycle), of which the most interesting are turning, kicking, walking back and forth, expressing concern, dancing, avoiding obstacles;
• react to loud noises. When clapping away from the Silverlit robot, it makes a sound;
• protect the premises: the robot warns the child with signs that some kind of obstacle has appeared in front of him;
• communicate with your mini Maxi Pals by flashing lights;
• sparkling eyes, turning head, moving joints of legs and arms;
• hold light objects in hands.

Silverlit robots are made of quality materials. The kit includes a remote control that can be mounted on the back of the robot for convenience. Silverlit programmable robot of small size. The kit comes with batteries, but only for the main, large robot Maxi Pals.

This toy will interest children from the age of five. The robots look very nice - original astronauts dressed in original space suits. The toy has a special sensor that allows you to bypass obstacles and scan space.

Constructors-robots humanoid, programmable

Probably, very soon, android robots will become indispensable helpers for housewives: they will be able to cook and clean the house. So far, such models are used only for entertainment or educational purposes.

Darwin-mini

Robot elements from the Robotic company are compatible with the designer of the Dream series, the same brand. The height of the robot is 26.95 cm, seventeen servomotors are used for movement. It moves at a speed of 24 cm / sec, the battery is designed for half an hour of continuous operation.

The kit includes a Bluetooth module. But there is no gyroscopic and other sensors in this kit. The open platform controller controls the robot. It is equipped with four ports to which additional LED sensors are connected, which are not included in the kit, but may be needed to perform some addition altasks.

The free RoboPlus software is used for the assembly of the programmed robot. The robot's behavior can be programmed using the RoboPlus Task editor, and more complex movements can be programmed using the RoboPlus Motion program.

Bioloid Premium Kit

Kit from the famous Korean company Robotics. In addition to three humanoid robots, 26 different mechanisms can be assembled from the proposed set. The kit is designed for children of senior and middle school age. The assembled robot has: a gyroscope, two infrared obstacle sensors, 18 servomotors, an infrared distance sensor. In addition, the design includes voltage sensors, temperature sensors, a microphone. Remote control included.

Customer Reviews

Children's programmable robots are exciting toys that can captivate children from a very young age. They develop thinking, imagination, introduce children to many natural phenomena and physical laws. Many parents say that these games allow them to have a great time with their children.