Thames & Kosmos Robotics: Smart Machines

This kit gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics that lets them build 8 motorized machines controlled by programs and an ultrasound sensor. Kids code the programs using an easy, visual programming app on a tablet or smartphone, which connects to the robot models via a wireless Bluetooth connection. Using the app interface, you can program the robots you build to behave based on the feedback coming from the ultrasound sensor.

A variety of robots are buildable, including a bipedal robot, beetle robot, and a crocodile robot. Using an additional smartphone and tablet, you can even hack together a cute little spy bot that roams around and streams video back to the tablet screen or a cool tiltrotor aircraft model that simulates vertical takeoff and landing by rotating its propeller blades 90 degrees. You can also assemble other fun robots including a robo dog and robotosaurus!

After you have learned how the technology works, you can build and program your own robots using the kit’s 230 building pieces.

A full-colour, 64-page step-by-step illustrated manual helps kids assemble all of the models and teaches them 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. You can also add simple sounds to your programs.

Requires a tablet or smartphone running iOS or Android.

Ages 8-14