Robotics Smart Machines Rovers & Vehicles STEM Engineering Kit Thames & Kosmos

A follow-up to the best-selling original Robotics: Smart Machines kit, this version focuses on wheeled robots. Like the original, this kit also gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics that lets them build eight 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.

The ultrasonic sensor works on the same principle as sonar, sending 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 ultrasonic sensor.

Build a shy turtle robot that drives around and quickly avoids obstacles in its path. The friendly rover bot model first looks around for your hand and, once detected, moves toward it and follows it. Construct an adventurous desert explorer robot that drives around on wheeled legs and then walks slowly toward objects detected in its range. Experiment with altering the program of your sassy dancing robot so that the robot dances to the beat of a song. Set up an obstacle course and watch the scout rover use its ultrasonic sensor to navigate around the obstacles. A slick helicopter model spins its rotors and then raises its landing gear when you lift it off the tabletop. Additional fun robots include a dozer bot with a bulldozer blade and a scorpion robot with a stinger tail. After you have learned how the technology works, you can build and program your own robots using the kit’s 233 building pieces.

A full-color, 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 ata from the sensor. Please check the app stores for compatibility and device requirements.