Archiv des Autors: Sebastian Trella

Robotical launches new STEM robot with added features to help kids learn to code

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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND (PRWEB) OCTOBER 22, 2019

Today Robotical launched a crowdfunding campaign for their versatile STEM robot, Marty 2.0, a low cost, fully programmable walking, dancing, soccer-playing robot designed for kids, makers, and educators to learn coding and robotics skills. It is now available on Kickstarter for the starting price of $120.

Marty 2.0 is the updated version of Marty the Robot. Like its predecessor, the newest robot can be coded by users from ages 8-18 in languages including Scratch and Python. Marty is compatible with single board computers like Raspberry Pi, is expandable, and can be customized with 3D printed parts. Marty comes as a kit or pre-built, so users can either build from the ground up or jump straight into coding the robot to walk, turn, dance, kick a football and more.

“Building and creating the first Marty was a dream come true and we’re thrilled to launch the new and improved Marty 2.0,” said Founder and CEO Alexander Enoch. “Marty 2.0 was built with a passion to help kids learn how to code intuitively and easily progress into using coding programs like Scratch or Python. It’s also fun. You can even teach Marty to floss!”

Marty 2.0 is pose-able, mimics lifelike behaviors, speaks in short phrases, plays music and uses distance, position and other sensors to detect the world around him. Robotical has added a new modular expansion interface and a new learning platform and learning journey for students. The platform comes with nine all metal-geared smart servos with built-in position and force feedback, so users can teach Marty new moves by demonstrating them.

“With Marty 2.0, our hope is to continue making STEM education accessible to children of all ages across the globe. Marty already helps children across more than 50 countries, including the UK, US, Australia and in schools in Rwanda. With these newly added features, we’re hoping that Marty 2.0 will expand further with its unique fun and educational approach,” said Myles Bax.

The new Marty has been built based on feedback accumulated since 2016 when Marty 1.0 launched. The result is a second-generation robot with new features like sound and position sensing, and upgrades across the board to improve connectivity, usability, and buildability.

“We want to help continue to shape the future of education. Learning to code is a lifelong skill that helps teach kids not just employment-relevant skills of programming, but also life skills like
Problem-solving, patience, and creativity,” said Enoch.

Marty 2.0 is recommended for ages 10+. A simplified build variant is available for kids 7+. It connects with WiFi, Bluetooth or USB and is compatible with Scratch, Python, Javascript and ROS interfaces.

The estimated delivery date of Robotical is February 2020. For more information on pledge levels, please visit the Kickstarter campaign. Media wishing to interview their personnel should contact PR agent, Jessica Sanchez at [email protected].

About Robotical

Robotical Ltd is a startup based in Edinburgh, UK, owned and run by Alexander (Sandy) Enoch. Sandy started Robotical because he wanted a real robot to help his niece learn how to code, and also wanted to provide something real to the massive community of makers, educators, and hackers at a reasonable price.

Seltsame Maschinen, neue Begleiter mit menschlichen Zügen, Katastrophen durch vernetzte Systeme: Künstliche Intelligenz trifft Science Fiction

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Lange KI-Nacht am 30. Oktober im „Falstaff“

(lifePR) (Bremen, 16.10.19) Science-Fiction-Literatur zur Künstlichen Intelligenz steht im Mittelpunkt der „Langen KI-Nacht“, zu der die Hochschule Bremen am Mittwoch, dem 30. Oktober 2019, um 20 Uhr, in die Kulturkneipe „Falstaff“ in der Bremer Neustadt, Schulstraße 26, einlädt.

Gelesen werden klassische Texte von Philip K. Dick, Stanislaw Lem, Harry Harrison, Arthur C. Clarke und Ron Goulart. Vorgetragen werden die Kurzgeschichten von Lehrenden der Hochschule Bremen aus verschiedenen Fakultäten. Mit dabei ist auch Janika Rehak aus Verden mit einer aktuellen eigenen Geschichte über einen besonderen weiblichen Service-Roboter. Die Moderation übernimmt Erik Roßbander von der Bremer Shakespeare Company. Beginn ist um 20 Uhr, der Eintritt ist frei.

Im Mittelpunkt stehen die seltsamen neuen Maschinen, von ihren Erbauern mit scheinbar mehr oder weniger künstlicher Intelligenz ausgestattet. Typisch dafür ist „Trurls Maschine“ von Stanislaw Lem aus dem Jahr 1964 mit ihrer eigensinnigen Arithmetik. Die dunkle Seite der Künstlichen Intelligenz, die nicht kontrollierbare, wird dabei immer mit thematisiert.

In der Kommunikation zeigen sich die neuen Begleiter im Alltag aber durchaus menschlich. Sie entwickeln Gefühle oder lösen starke Gefühle aus. Ein Spiel mit Masken und Rollen wie bei „Ayumi22“ von Janika Rehak, oder auch eine „Demaskierung“, wie von Harry Harrison beschrieben, scheinen mit zur Künstlichen Intelligenz zu gehören. Sind sie wirklich menschlich? Haben sie Emotionen? „Mein neuer Freund“ ist eine Metapher für die Annäherung von Mensch und Maschine, auf welchen Kanälen auch immer.

Ein dritter Strang in der Literatur greift die möglichen Katastrophen, ausgelöst durch vernetzte intelligente Systeme auf. In einem Text unter dem Titel „Geburtsstunde“ bearbeitet Arthur C. Clarke, einer der großen englischsprachigen Science Fiction Autoren, dieses Thema auf unterhaltsame Weise. Was wäre, wenn alle Telefone der Welt zusammengeschlossen werden? Vernetzte Systeme entwickeln ihre Eigenlogik und eine eigene Macht. In der Kurzgeschichte „Maschinenschaden“ von Ron Goulart wird dies bis zur tödlichen Konsequenz für die Akteure vorangetrieben, während „Rückspiel“ von Philip K. Dick die Verstrickung in simulierte Welten und ihre fatalen Folgen erfahrbar macht.

Veranstalter der Lesung sind Dr. Dieter Brinkmann, Prof. Dr. Renate Freericks, Prof. Dr. Antonia Kesel und Prof. Dr. Uta Bohnebeck aus den Fachrichtungen Bionik, Freizeitwissenschaft und Informatik.

iRobot Files for a Preliminary Injunction Against SharkNinja

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iRobot’s motion seeks to halt U.S. sales of the Shark IQ Robot™ for patent infringement

BEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in consumer robots and maker of the Roomba® vacuuming robot, today filed a motion for a preliminary injunction ordering SharkNinja Operating LLC and its related entities („SharkNinja“) to halt its sales and distribution of its Shark IQ Robot™. iRobot filed its motion based on infringement of certain iRobot patents related to the Roomba® i7+ robot vacuum with Clean Base™ Automatic Dirt Disposal. The motion was filed today in the District of Massachusetts, with a hearing date to be scheduled.

iRobot logo. (PRNewsfoto/iRobot Corp.)

iRobot’s preliminary injunction identifies Shark’s IQ Robot™, released well over a year after the Roomba® i7+, for infringement of three iRobot patents: (1) U.S. Patent No. 9,921,586 (selected room cleaning); (2) U.S. Patent No. 9,550,294 (recharge and resume technology with mapping); and (3) U.S. Patent No. 9,492,048 (auto-evacuation technology). iRobot also filed a complaint for patent infringement involving three other iRobot patents, spanning core iRobot features such as the Roomba® i7+ robot’s roller technology and modularity.

„As demonstrated by our victory at the ITC last year, iRobot takes strong measures to protect our intellectual property and the hard work of our engineering teams,“ said Glen Weinstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of iRobot. „We will not stand by while our technology gets brazenly ripped off, and we will continue to vigorously defend our innovations both in the U.S. and abroad.“

The iRobot Roomba® i7+, voted one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2018, represents one of the most advanced robotic vacuums ever built. The i7+ brings a new level of intelligence and automation to robotic vacuum cleaners with the ability to learn, map, and adapt to a home’s floor plan, clean specific rooms by name, and automatically empty its own dust bin. iRobot spent years perfecting its auto-evacuation and smart mapping technology, which are covered by over a dozen patents to date.

Today’s lawsuit against SharkNinja follows iRobot’s win of an exclusion order against multiple respondents at the International Trade Commission.

About iRobot Corporation
iRobot, the leading global consumer robot company, designs and builds robots that empower people to do more both inside and outside of the home. iRobot created the home robot cleaning category with the introduction of its Roomba® Robot Vacuum in 2002. Today, iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 25 million robots worldwide. iRobot’s product line, including the Roomba and the Braava® family of mopping robots, feature proprietary technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation. iRobot engineers are building an ecosystem of robots and technologies to enable the smart home. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.

For iRobot Investors
Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, iRobot Corporation’s expectations concerning management’s plans, objectives and strategies, including strategies for defending the Company’s intellectual property. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot, see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SOURCE iRobot Corp.

Spin Master Introduces Owleez™,The First Ever Interactive Toy Pet That Kids Can Teach How to Fly

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TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2019 /CNW/ – Spin Master Corp. (TSX: TOY; www.spinmaster.com), a leading children’s entertainment company, announced today the launch of Owleez, the first ever interactive toy pet that kids can teach how to fly. The adorable baby owl combines the ultimate trifecta of coveted features; unique pet, interactive nurturing toy and the magic of flight, but it needs the help of a child to fly.

Addy & Maya, from YouTube family Tic Tac Toy (CNW Group/Spin Master)

With over 100 interactive sounds and movements, the baby owl responds to touch, love and care. By swinging her through the air, children can teach her how to fly.  Watch her soar or comfort her after a crash, Owleez is made of durable and lightweight materials so when she crashes it’s okay, it’s all part of the learning experience. 

„We are incredibly excited to introduce Owleez, our first ever interactive toy pet that can fly,“ says Kate Keller, VP Marketing RC. „The combination of an interactive toy pet that children can actually teach how to fly is truly innovative. It’s extremely satisfying for kids to see the result of the love and care they put into their own Owleez toy pet. They experience the delight and reward knowing it is something that they taught it to do.“

Spin Master is committed to uncovering the latest trends that push the boundaries of fun. The company’s research team did some digging to get to the bottom of what kids really want and Owleez delivers just that. Eighty-one per cent of kids surveyed said they wanted a pet that could fly while an overwhelming 91% chose flying as the super hero power they most desired*.

To introduce Owleez, Spin Master is teaming up with popular YouTube family Tic Tac Toy for the creation of commercials and how-to content. The kids, Addy and Maya, star in the commercial and reveal the Owleez baby owl in their own unboxing video on their channel. How-to content with Addy and Maya is also available on Spin Master Spark Club YouTube Channel.

Owleez is already taking off, being named a top holiday toy by Target, landing coveted spots on Walmart’s Top Rated by Kids List and UK retailer Argos as well as receiving the Toy of the Year Award from the Revue de Jouet in France.

Owleez will be available on October 4, 2019 at major retailers for a suggested retail price of $49.99. Recommend for children ages 6+. For more information on Owleez visit spinmaster.com or follow @SpinMasterSparkClub on Instagram.

About Spin Master
Spin Master (TSX:TOY; www.spinmaster.com) is a leading global children’s entertainment company that creates, designs, manufactures, licenses and markets a diversified portfolio of innovative toys, games, products and entertainment properties. Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands including Zoomer®, Bakugan®, Erector® by Meccano®, Hatchimals®, Air Hogs® and PAW Patrol®. Since 2000, Spin Master has received 103 TIA Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 30 wins across a variety of product categories, including 13 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year.  To date, Spin Master has produced nine television series, including the relaunched Bakugan: Battle Planet and current hit PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in over 160 countries and territories globally.  Spin Master employs over 1,800 people in countries around the world including Canada, United States, Mexico, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.

*Spin Master surveyed a group of 159 girls between the ages of 6-8 years old. Participants were selected from the Funovation Panel, a community of families from across the U.S. and Canada that provide their feedback about potential new toys, television shows, commercials, and much more.
Owleez takes flight on October 4 (CNW Group/Spin Master)

LittleBot Buddy 3D Printed Arduino Social Robot Launches on Kickstarter

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LittleBot Buddy is the 9th robot to come from the Slant Concepts line of LittleBots STEM kits. This addition is the most personable of all. Buddy is an interactive robotics kit that is simple to build and designed to help kids get excited about creating a robotic companion.

Buddy is the culmination of nearly 2 years of work. LittleBots has been experimenting with variants of Buddy since the first LittleBots kits were released. They finally found a design that was both highly interactive and simple to build.

Buddy works by observing the world around him. When something changes he generates completely unique reactions, just as a living creature would do. He is completely spontaneous. This helps Buddy to maintain kid’s attention longer as they build and work with him.

The kit can be built in under an hour, does not require any soldering, and has fewer than 15 screws. This makes is simple to build even for the most inexperienced users. 

The main chip is arduino and can be reprogrammed using standard or graphical programming tools, such as the Arduino IDE or Makeblock.

Adding to the uniqueness of Buddy is the fact that he is 3D Printed. LittleBots made this choice to both create a cleaner design with fewer parts and to invite kids to edit and build on the robot. “When the robot is 3D printed kids know they are allowed to 3D print more parts using the printer in a classroom,” stated Gabe Bentz, lead designer of the LittleBots Project.

All together Buddy is a very interactive robotics kits that is simple to get started with but packs a good amount of complexity into a simple little package.

The kit is currently available for preorders on Kickstarter and was 25% funded within it first 12 hours of going live. Preorders are expected to start shipping in December 2019.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/slantrobotics/littlebot-buddy

Sphero + littleBits Join Forces!

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SPHERO AND LITTLEBITS JOIN FORCES
TO BECOME THE EDTECH MARKET LEADER
AND ACCELERATE PLAY-BASED LEARNING FOR KIDS

Over the past nine years, Sphero and littleBits have each created entirely new categories of hands-on learning tools that enable invention and STEAM education through play and technology. Combined, the two companies have reached over six million students and 65,000 teachers across 35,000 schools globally — and have sold more than $500 million in Sphero robots and littleBits kits. Today, littleBits joins Sphero to advance their common mission — inspiring the creators and inventors of tomorrow.

Through this acquisition, Sphero becomes the largest player in its market. With a comprehensive offering of hardware, software, curriculum, and training, it is positioned to shape the $150 billion education technology industry.

Sphero, with the addition of the littleBits line, will now feature a portfolio of over 140 patents in robotics, electronics, software, and the Internet of Things. Teachers will have access to hundreds of thousands of community-generated inventions and activities, and over a thousand lessons tied to NGSS, CSTA and Common Core standards. Sphero and littleBits will also rally their enthusiastic and loyal networks of distinguished educators around the world that they’ve cultivated through their ambassador programs – with over 67 Sphero Heroes and 50 littleBits Bitstar Educators. 

„Sphero and littleBits are on a mission to make hands-on learning fun and memorable,“ said Paul Berberian, Sphero’s CEO. „Together, we’re able to make an even greater impact by delivering the best possible solution — whether it is programming a robot to solve a maze or building an electronic music synthesizer. There are infinite learning possibilities — and they’re all fun.“

According to a Harris poll1, 91% of teachers say they would like to integrate more hands-on learning in their classes, and research shows that students who enjoy weekly hands-on learning activities fare 40-70% better in science, math and other subjects2.

„When I studied engineering, it was top down, test-based,“ said Ayah Bdeir, founder of littleBits. „I hated it and wanted to quit every semester. Then I got exposed to the pedagogy of learning through play and my life changed; no one could peel me away from learning, inventing, creating. Together, littleBits and Sphero are now bringing this experience to kids everywhere.“

With this deal, Sphero plans to accelerate international growth and acquire other products and companies to further expand its portfolio of STEAM products and tools. The company will have offices in Boulder, New York, and Hong Kong with Paul Berberian as CEO. Ayah Bdeir will be moving on from littleBits to pursue her next adventure.

ABOUT SPHERO: 
Sphero has been inspiring the creators of tomorrow through creative learning and play since 2010. From its humble beginnings in Boulder, CO, Sphero has become the #1 robot in education, available in 40,000+ schools, clubs and institutions globally. With new offerings coming out all the time to help kids start, grow, and graduate with Sphero, our robots and products truly go #BeyondCode. Learn more atsphero.com.

ABOUT LITTLEBITS:
littleBits products have been transforming the way kids learn so they can grow up to be tomorrow’s changemakers — no matter their age, gender, race, nationality, or ability. Millions of STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) kits have been sold in over 70 countries. littleBits Electronics, Inc. was founded in 2011 by Ayah Bdeir, TED Senior Fellow, MIT Media Lab Alum and Inc Magazine Top 100 Female Founders. Learn more at littlebits.com.

1 https://theharrispoll.com/global-confidence-poll-executive-summary/

2 The National Assessment of Educational progress

Feuer, Wasser, Licht Maker Faire spielt mit den Elementen

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Hannover, 10. Juli 2019 – Zum siebten Mal verwandelt sich das Hannover Congress Centrum (HCC) in einen fantastischen „place-to-be“: Künstler, Bastler und Technikverrückte überbieten sich auf der Maker Faire Hannover mit einzigartigen und spektakulären Projekten und laden zum Mitmachen ein. Zu den Highlights am 17. und 18. August zählen atemberaubende Kreaturen − ein feuerspeiender Wolf und eine leuchtende Riesenkrake.

Das große Staunen beginnt bereits am Eingang, wo Fenrir seinen heißen Atem ausstößt. Der niederländische Industriedesigner Ronald Duikersloot ent-wickelte eine metallische Wolfs-Skulptur, die feuer­speiend beeindruckt.  Ein weiterer Hingucker aus sei­nem Atelier ist Rusty, ein umgebauter VW Käfer, der mit Flammenwerfer und CO2-Kanone ebenfalls für ordent­lich Wirbel sorgt. Dabei liefert er sich ein Battle mit dem gegenüber platzierten Roboter Big Foot, erbaut vom englischen Künstler Frank Barnes. Die Kreatur aus Stahl, Aluminium und Plastik fällt nicht nur durch ihre großen Füße auf, sondern auch durch ihre imposante Feuer- und Rauch-Show. Der Wahl-Berliner Barnes ist bekannt durch seine Roboterband ‚Compressorhead‘, mit der er durch die ganze Welt tourt. Jetzt feiert er Maker Faire-Premiere in Hannover und bringt noch weitere Roboter mit.

In der neuen Dark Gallery versetzt die achtarmige Riesenkrake Ocho vom britischen Designer Tim Davies die Besucher in Staunen. Mit einer Spannweite von sieben Metern und tollen Lichteffekten kommt die Krake daher, als wäre sie direkt der Unterwasserwelt eines Walt-Disney-Films entsprungen.

Darüber hinaus lockt die aufwändig umgebaute DeLorean Zeitmaschine als attraktiver Anziehungs-punkt und begehrtes Fotomotiv: Die deutsche Zeitmaschine von Alexander Günnewig basiert auf einem echten DeLorean DMC-12. Nach 16 Jahren der Teilesuche, ist der Nachbau aus „Zurück in die Zukunft“ jetzt nicht nur innen und außen interaktiv, sondern weltweit der erste und einzige ferngesteuerte DeLorean.

Zu den weiteren Attraktionen der Maker Faire Hannover – insbesondere für Star-Wars-Fans – zählen auch in diesem Jahr die originalgetreuen R2D2-Nachbauten des R2-Builders-Clubs sowie die packenden Kampfroboterduelle der bekannten Mad Metal Machines.

Aber eine Maker Faire heißt nicht nur staunen, sondern auch lernen, fachsimpeln, netzwerken, ausprobieren und vor allem selber machen.

Infos und Tickets zum bunten Familienfestival gibt es unter www.maker-faire.de/hannover. Noch bis zum 12. Juli gilt der Frühbucherpreis.

Journalisten (auch Blogger, YouTuber und Jugend- und Schülerpresse) können sich hier für das bildstarke Event akkreditieren: https://maker-faire.de/presse/akkreditierung/.

Die Maker Faires stehen unter der Schirmherrschaft des Bundesbildungsministeriums.

Die Maker Faires Hannover und Berlin sind unabhängig organisierte Veranstaltungen unter der Lizenz von Maker Media, Inc.

Alle Maker Faires in D/A/CH werden vom deutschsprachigen Make Magazin präsentiert.

Leoni offers smart robot mounting solution for all picking, packing, and palletizing applications

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Leoni offers smart robot mounting solution for all picking, packing, and palletizing applications. Suitable for industrial robots in General Industry, flexible, lightweight and durable for repetitive processes, and increases lifetime of cables, reduces downtime

NUREMBURG, GERMANY (PRWEB) JULY 01, 2019

Leoni, a global provider of energy and data management solutions in the automotive sector and other industries, expands its product range in the field of cable management solutions dedicated for packaging applications.

With the LEONI B-Flex P³, the company now offers a flexible, slip-resistant attachment solution for industrial robots especially for the Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, and globally, for the General Industry; serving Picking, Packing, and Palletizing applications. This means that the hose and cable package can be attached to the robot with easy-to-install, flexible holders. It is the second product Leoni launches in this product range. LEONI B-Flex Cobot, launched in 2017 is a similar product specifically designed for collaborative robots.

The basic principle behind the LEONI B-Flex P³ solution consists of two components; the hook-and-loop straps and the flexible round or flat holders. The hook-and-loop strap is threaded into the matching insertion slots on the holder for installation on the robot. The holders are positioned in the chosen location on the robot and the dresspack is inserted between the hook-and-loop strap and the holder. As a last step, the hook-and-loop strap needs to be pulled tight and closed.

This quick and simple tool-less installation is just one of the advantages of this solution. LEONI B-Flex P³ can also be used on diverse surfaces, sections and circumferences without the risk of slippage. The mounting solution is also lightweight and has very few protrusions thanks to its low-profile design. In addition, it is based on very high reliable components as all of them are based on thousands of dress packages installed in different field of industries, most particularly Automotive, which is highly demanding on robot movements and it is absolutely maintenance-free.

About the Leoni Group 
Leoni is a global provider of products, solutions and services for energy and data management in the automotive sector and other industries. The value chain encompasses wires, optical fibers, standardised cables, special cables and assembled systems as well as intelligent products and smart services. As an innovation partner and solutions provider, Leoni supports its customers with pronounced development and systems expertise. The market-listed group of companies employs more than 95,000 people in 32 countries and generated consolidated sales of EUR 5.1 billion in 2018.

Revolution Robotics Foundation Unveils Robotics Kit Via Kickstarter Campaign

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New Open-Source, Affordable Robotics Kit Is A Step-Change In STEM Education and Robotics Competitions For Kids Globally

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/revorobotics/revolution-robotics-affordable-and-fun-open-source-robot-kit

(San Francisco, California, June 12, 2019) The Revolution Robotics Foundation is reimagining educational robotics and has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its new robot kit: the Revolution Robotics Challenge Kit. This kit and its accompanying free mobile app will provide kids and mentors with a more accessible and affordable robotics learning tool and platform.

“We envision a world where more kids participate in robotics than any other organized sport,” said Jared Schrieber, President and Co-Founder of the foundation. “As a true non-profit, we are dedicated to leveraging and developing open source technologies that make STEM learning challenges and robotics competitions accessible, fair and fun for kids globally.”

“The future of workforce development will require programs that teach students real-life problem-solving skills through hands-on learning activities like what Revolution Robotics has created,”said Jason Morrella, Executive Director and Co-Founder.  “Just a few out of a million kids who play sports growing up will ever be able to make a living at it, but there are amazing, fulfilling and rewarding careers in science, technology and engineering for 100% of the kids who learn to build and program these robots.”

The non-profit foundation was established in early 2018, with a focus on designing an open source and affordable educational robotics platform to achieve their mission, instead of a kit being sold primarily to generate revenue for for-profit companies. The new Revolution Robotics Challenge Kit is a ground breaking, low cost robot kit that costs hundreds of dollars less than other robot kit options available to students and schools previously.

The Challenge Kit is a complete robot-building package, offering over 530 pieces – including the Raspberry Pi based brain, five powerful motors, an ultrasonic sensor, accelerometer, gyro sensor, bumper switch, gears, axles and hundreds of structural pieces. The accompanying Revolution Robotics app will provide kids ages 8 -13 an easy-to-use drag and drop programming interface to configure, code, and control their robots with any iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. More experienced robot builders and programmers can also enjoy the thrills of writing more complex code via Python.

As shared by David Dudas, Head of Engineering, “It’s designed for both classrooms and the home, and is much more than just a really cool toy robot. The robot’s brain includes a Raspberry Pi board and will be able to accommodate several different types of sensors and motors. Plus, we’ve developed a free mobile app that will let kids code and drive the robots they create with their phones and tablets.”

In 2020 the foundation will begin a new competition program built upon single day local and regional competitions, with challenges that change throughout the year to ensure students are always solving new problems, learning new concepts and creating new designs. Students will be able to compete around the world, including signature international championship events in multiple countries.

To be a part of the Kickstarter campaign and get one of the first robot kits, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/revorobotics/created

To learn more about the Revolution Robotics Foundation, visit www.revolutionrobotics.org

The Revolution Robotics Foundation is a true non-profit focused on revolutionizing youth robotics by making products and programs affordable, accessible, educational, fair and fun. Through an open-source platform, student focused competition program, and extensive resource system, the Foundation seeks to prioritize the interests of participating students and the teachers and mentors supporting them. The founding team envision a world where more kids participate in robotics than any other organized sport, while celebrating student learning and achievement.

iRobot Introduces the Root Coding Robot Through Acquisition of Root Robotics

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Root robot is uniquely designed to help kids learn coding at home and in school

BEDFORD, Mass., June 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), the leader in consumer robots, has announced the addition of the Root coding robot to its product lineup through the acquisition of Root Robotics. With technology initially developed by a founding group within the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, Root is a fun and easy-to-use educational robot that uniquely teaches coding and 21st century problem-solving skills to children as young as four years old. This acquisition supports iRobot’s plans to diversify its educational robot product offerings, further demonstrating its commitment to make robotic technology more accessible to educators, students and parents.

Kids as young as age 4 can learn to problem solve by coding Root to draw, scan colors, play music and make games.

The Root coding robot is a two-wheeled, mobile platform. The robot operates on flat surfaces at home, like tables, floors, and countertops, and vertical surfaces in a classroom, like a magnetic whiteboard. When paired with the companion mobile application, users can instruct Root to draw artwork, scan colors, play music, respond to touch and sound, climb whiteboard walls, and explore the fundamentals of robotics. Root uses three levels of coding language, from simple graphical blocks for young children to full text coding for more advanced users.

„The acquisition of Root Robotics allows iRobot to broaden the impact of its STEM efforts with a commercially available, educational robotic platform already being used by educators, students and parents,“ said Colin Angle, chairman and CEO of iRobot. „Root also helps increase the reach of iRobot’s educational robot line by offering a proven system for people of all ages, including students in elementary school.“

„The Root coding robot is an incredibly powerful tool for learning to code because it intuitively scales to users‘ abilities,“ said Zee Dubrovsky, co-founder of Root Robotics who will now become general manager of Educational Robots at iRobot. „A four-year-old can begin coding Root using simple pictures and symbols that translate to robot actions. Once a child has mastered graphical coding, they can seamlessly toggle to the next two levels, which introduce hybrid coding, followed by full text coding. This scalable approach is what has been missing from other educational coding robots.“

The acquisition of Root Robotics is not expected to contribute materially to iRobot’s 2019 financial performance. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Root coding robot is currently available for purchase at https://root.irobot.com for $199 USD. Photos, videos and information can be found at: http://media.irobot.com/. 

About iRobot Corp.  
iRobot®, the leading global consumer robot company, designs and builds robots that empower people to do more both inside and outside of the home. iRobot® created the home robot cleaning category with the introduction of its Roomba® Robot Vacuum in 2002. Today, iRobot® is a global enterprise that has sold more than 25 million robots worldwide. iRobot’s product line, including Roomba® vacuuming robots and the Braava® family of mopping robots, feature proprietary technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation. iRobot® engineers are building an ecosystem of robots and technologies to enable the smart home. For more information about iRobot®, please visit www.irobot.com.

For iRobot Investors  
Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to iRobot Corporation’s expectations concerning management’s plans, objectives and strategies and the expectations for the financial contributions from the acquisition. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot, see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.