Elenco, maker of Snap Circuits® toys, unveils Teach Tech™ brand with coding, robotic, and green-energy kits

Wheeling, Illinois (February 14, 2019) – Elenco, the maker of the award-winning Snap Circuits® products, announces a new line of educational toys under the brand name TEACH TECH™, with a focus on hands-on, building fun. The first offerings within the TEACH TECH™ line feature robotic kits, including products that explore renewable energy and coding. Following the Learn by doing® philosophy found in all Elenco products, TEACH TECH™ enhances play quality with an emphasis on Do-It-Yourself building to boost confidence and critical thinking skills. Products within this line will appeal to all who enjoy using their hands to build and tinker and then bring their creations to life with movement, coding and programming. Future-minded kids can also investigate alternative power sources with kits that highlight solar, hydraulic, wind, or air power.

TEACH TECH™ unveils two innovative, coding robot kits at New York Toy Fair, as well as other electronic and alternative energy kits:

  • Tobbie II Kids can build a robot, then code and program with MakeCode or Phython Editor. With 6 legs and a fully-rotational body, Tobbie includes motor, infrared sensors, buzzers, and BBC Micro:bit.  Bluetooth-controlled and user-friendly.  DIY and Coding in one kit!
  • Mech-5! Truly innovative- screenless coding. A mission-based STEM coding robot with a mechanical coding wheel, instead of a computer. Mech-5 is “unplugged” – a new concept of coding without a computer or app. Just snap coding buttons onto the coding wheel to initiate movement such as forward, backward, turn, spin, or pause. Screenless coding

Elenco will officially introduce the TEACH TECH™ brand and unveil Tobbie II and Mech-5 at this year’s New York Toy Fair, with demonstrations of TEACH TECH’s green energy and other mechanical-robotic kits within the line. TEACH TECH™ will be available in all Elenco’s retail channels, including specialty stores, larger retailers, and online retailers. The official product launches for Tobbie II and Mech-5 are slated for Summer 2019.

New in Snap Circuits®

  • Green Energy! In line with the focus on renewable energy evident in the Teach Tech™ line, Elenco also introduces Snap Circuits® GREEN ENERGY – a reboot of the popular Snap Circuits® GREEN – updated with new parts and content for today’s exploration into alternative energy concepts, including electric cars, windmills, and hand-generated power.  Perfect for environmentalists and future engineers!
  • Toy Of The Year! SNAP CIRCUITS® BRIC: Structures, released in 2018, is a Toy Of The Year Finalist! BRIC combines SNAP CIRCUITS® with ordinary building bricks to make endless combinations of construction and circuitry. Winner of KAPi BEST EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT award at the Consumer Electronics Show, ASTRA Best Toys For Kids, and the inaugural recipient of the Seriously STEM award.
  • STEM-Approved! Elenco is proud to announce that their award-winning SNAP CIRCUITS® line of educational products and toys has earned the STEM APPROVED Trustmark from STEM.org.  In addition, Elenco has partnered with STEM.org for the upcoming SNAP CIRCUITS® GREEN ENERGY kit. STEM.org’s mission is to make quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education accessible to all.  For more than 15 years, STEM.org has been at the forefront of the global, Pre-K – 12th grade STEM education movement.

About Elenco: Family owned and operated for over 45 years, Elenco has provided educational/STEM products, along with hobby and test equipment to consumers and schools. Elenco’s award-winning SNAP CIRCUITS® products teach kids to have fun learning electricity, engineering, circuitry and more.  The award-winning SNAP CIRCUITS® brand has been endorsed by educators globally and used in schools, libraries, museums, after-school and homeschool programs, STEM and Maker programs, and at home. Elenco WEmake™ line includes educational, D.I.Y kits and tools that teach soldering and other basic electronics concepts and skills. Elenco is also the North American partner for world-renowned toy brands including Engino Construction and Edu-Toys Science Kits, and more.  Broadly distributed through a wide-range of retail channels, Elenco products can be found wherever fun, innovative, science-based activities are sold.

Our Mission: Our mission is to provide quality, innovative toys and educational products that are fun, affordable, engaging, and designed to instill a passion for learning and creating. We’re committed to inspiring imagination, invention, and exploration. We believe the best way to learn is by doing.

Visit www.elenco.com for more information

POWERUP Toys Debuts Three New Products at Toy Fair 2019

(New York) February 15, 2019 – POWERUP Toys (Toy Fair Booth #2789), the creator of the first smartphone-controlled paper airplane motor kit, is introducing three new products at Toy Fair 2019 – POWERUP 4.0, POWERUP RACERS, and OKO Multi View.

“As a child, I loved anything that flew, which is something so many children and adults can relate to,” said Shai Goitein, CEO and Founder of POWERUP Toys. “That’s why we at POWERUP are constantly creating new kits that add functionality and versatility to our motors. Also, we are excited about our first product that is outside of the motor kits area and brings the world of AR and the world around us into greater view.”

The POWERUP 4.0 is an ultra-durable propulsion motor that universally adapts to almost any paper airplane design and transforms it into a flying machine. Pilots (Individuals ages 14+) launch, steer, and land their planes using their Bluetooth-connected device and the POWERUP App (available for iOS and Android). The POWERUP 4.0 has two propellers for double the power and more maneuverability, an autopilot-controlled flight feature that makes flying in windy conditions ultra-easy, and new on-board sensors that collect real-time flight performance data. Pilots then analyze this data and tweak the design of their airplanes to optimize the flying experience, making it perfect to use at-home or in the classroom. The POWERUP 4.0 will be available online this fall. MSRP: $59.99

Children ages 8+ can take the road, water, or air by storm with the new POWERUP RACERS Motorized Origami Vehicles. The small, versatile propulsion motor transforms a paper creation into a motorized car, boat, or airplane – all using the same motor. Children fold their own paper car, boat, or airplane out of a sheet of paper, clip on the fully-charged POWERUP RACERS motor, and they are ready to drive, float, or fly their creations. The kit – which comes with a propulsion motor, three folding templates, wheels, and fastening clips – is perfect for home or can be used to teach aerodynamics and physics in the STEM classroom. The POWERUP RACERS will be available online this fall. MSRP: $24.99

With OKO Multi View, the newest multi-use smartphone accessory, children ages 8+ can explore the world around them like never before. Children insert their smartphone into OKO Multi View and wear it like goggles to transform the phone’s camera into an amazing Augmented Reality tool or use it like entry-level binoculars with capture capabilities. The spatial aspherical oculars create a high-quality, full-screen viewing experience to immerse children in AR apps on the fly. When using OKO Multi View as binoculars, children can see beyond what a traditional smartphone camera captures. If they find a scene they love, they can save it forever by taking a picture or video using their device – without removing the device from the goggles. The OKO Multi View will be available online this spring, MSRP: $29.99

To see these products in action, visit POWERUP Toys at Toy Fair 2019 in booth #2789. To see the full line of POWERUP Toys motors and accessories, visit: www.poweruptoys.com.

About POWERUP Toys 
POWERUP Toys lets consumers of all ages expand their sense of play and experimentation by adding power to familiar paper airplanes. POWERUP Toys brings homemade paper airplanes into the future by adding next generation mobile controls, propulsion, and tools to take imagination to new heights.

Screen-free Coding Shines At The 2019 Toy Of The Year (TOTY) Awards- Botley™ The Coding Robot From Learning Resources® Wins Innovative Toy Of The Year

VERNON HILLS, Ill., Feb. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Throughout its 35-year history, Learning Resources® has dedicated itself to developing toys on the forefront of what children need to learn and how they are best inclined to learn it — through play. Now, its efforts to provide the earliest possible screen-free coding experiences to kids have earned the educational toy company its first ever Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award. The award for Innovative Toy of the Year was given last night to Botley™ the Coding Robot at the annual awards gala presented by the Toy Association.  Botley engages children and sparks curiosity about coding in a fun, friendly, hands-on way, all without the use of a screen.

In 2018, Botley helped define a new category of screen-free coding toys. Last night’s TOTY tops a list of more than 13 accolades and awards for the screen-free coding robot including „Best of CES“ by Reuters and „Best Toy of the Year 2018“ by Parents magazine. Children as young as five can learn to code with Botley, detecting objects, programming if/then logic, following looping commands and taking on obstacle courses.

„Our company is proud to engage future coders, engineers and scientists, and we are thrilled to receive the Innovative Toy of the Year TOTY Award for Botley the Coding Robot,“ said Learning Resources CEO, Rick Woldenberg. „This recognition honors our commitment to inspiring a love of learning in all children.“

With other category finalists including Harry Potter™ Wizard Training™ from JAKKS Pacific, the K’NEX Thrill Rides Bionic Blast™ Roller Coaster Building Set, Wow! Stuff’s Mystery Flying Snitch and Thames & Kosmos’s Sensors Alive: Bring Physics to Life!, the coveted industry nod was given specifically to the 77-piece Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set, which allows kids to start coding with Botley right out of the box in addition to building obstacle courses, mazes and more.

Following Botley’s success, Learning Resources‘ new Coding Critters, already the winner of Parents magazine’s 2019 „Best of CES“ award, continues the company’s mission of introducing screen-free coding, now to preschoolers as young as four, through storybook coding adventures with adorable interactive pets. Both products will be on display at the 2019 New York International Toy Fair through February 19 in the Learning Resources Booth (#403). Also be sure to check out Learning Resources‘ Director of Product Development, Tom Runtz, on the STEM/STEAM Toy Panel with other leading industry experts Sunday, February 17 in Level 1, Hall 1E, room 1E09.

Learn more at www.LearningResources.com. Get social with @LearningResources on Facebook and Instagram and on Twitter @LearningsHandsOn. #CODING #STEM.

About Learning Resources:
We’re the toy cash registers that help kids learn to count. We’re the alphabet puzzle blocks that inspire a love of reading. We’re the coding mouse that schools use to prepare students for tomorrow. We are Learning Resources®—and our mission is to help kids love to learn. For over 30 years we’ve been the leader in educational toys, with more than 1,000 items sold in over 80 countries. Our toys are designed to help children build educational skills… and get ready to take on the world. For more information, visit www.learningresources.com, or follow the brand on Twitter @LearningHandsOn, Facebook @LearningResources and Instagram @learningresources.

Sphero gives hackers and makers a mobile canvas with launch of RVR—the go anywhere, do anything, fully programmable robot

BOULDER, Colo., February 19, 2019 ‒ Sphero, the industry leader in robotics fused with STEAM learning, announced today its Kickstarter launch of RVR – a ready-to-drive, fully programmable and customizable robot with endless coding possibilities. The campaign begins today on Kickstarter with pledge levels starting at $199 (MSRP for $249) and initial shipments will be available starting in September 2019. Backers who support the RVR project within the first week of launch will be eligible to be selected for an all-expenses paid trip to Sphero HQ in Boulder, CO to compete in an all-day RVR Hackathon on March 14, 2019.

RVR is drivable right out of the box, making it approachable and accessible to coders of all levels, including beginners. In addition, its advanced features are geared specifically for those looking for a more complex coding experience — the first of Sphero’s products to do so. For advanced coders, RVR can be fully customized through a universal expansion port, full suite of on-board sensors and an advanced control system.

“RVR is the kind of robot I wish I had growing up,” said Adam Wilson, Sphero co-founder and chief creative officer. “For makers, developers and anyone who loves to build things, RVR’s advanced capabilities bring to life everything that makes coding exciting. That creative experience is at the core of why we first started Sphero.”

RVR is fast, exceptionally nimble and fun to drive for coders of all abilities. It sports a fine-tuned, high- resolution motor encoder, allowing it to be driven with extreme agility, accuracy and torque that can easily scale a 45-degree angle.

Beyond its out-of-the-box base, RVR’s universal expansion port has the ability to connect to third-party hardware like Raspberry Pi, Micro:Bit or Arduino, allowing users to customize the robot however they want.

The robot is outfitted with several onboard sensors that will get any maker’s imagination going: a color sensor, light sensor, IR, magnetometer, accelerometer and gyroscope, as well as a roll cage and clear protective plate that are removable. RVR’s ambient light, color and 9-axis IMU are able to send and receive signals to interact with other Sphero robots. The large battery inside RVR is removable, making charging easier and faster.

“This is truly a professional-level robot, without the hefty price tag,” said Wilson. “By connecting your hardware of choice to the expansion port, the customization possibilities are endless and entirely up to you. For example, you can hook up a camera to RVR and program facial recognition to do a dance every time your best friend walks by.”

To support customization with the expansion port, Sphero is partnering with SparkFun Electronics to build kits that inspire users to take the RVR to the next level – from adding camera vision and GPS to building a complete autonomous vehicle. SparkFun is also backing the KickStarter through the „Get a Bot, Give a Bot“ initiative, where they will match the first 50 RVR’s purchased with a donation of 50 RVRs to schools.

With RVR, like all of Sphero’s products, users have access to the Sphero EDU app, which connects a vibrant, active community of DIYers, makers, programmers, hackers and educators to share tips, questions and commentary. This unique community enhances the product experience, providing users with resources to take on new challenges, solve problems, be creative and share creations. Sphero will roll out an initial wave of RVR content on the app in conjunction with its launch.

To learn more about RVR, visit http://sphero.com/RVR or the Kickstarter project site. Follow Sphero on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

ABOUT SPHERO: Founded in 2010 and based in Boulder, CO, Sphero’s ongoing mission is to inspire the creators of tomorrow. We’re available in 80+ countries around the globe and have sold more than four million robots to date… and counting. Touted as “the best day of school” for kids, we aim to be all that and more as we continue to explore new technologies in the realm of creative play. We firmly believe that play is a powerful teacher, and as long as we’re sparking imaginations around the world, we’ll keep fueling that fire.

ABOUT SPHERO EDU: Sphero Edu uses app-enabled robots to foster creativity through discovery and play, all while laying the foundation for computer science. The Sphero Edu program goes beyond code with collaborative STEAM activities, nurturing students’ imaginations in ways no other education program can. Cross-platform apps

are approachable for all skill levels, allowing us to reach as many minds as possible. To date, the Sphero Edu team works with more than 30,000 educators, in more than 20,000 schools across the globe. More than 1.3 million students have been positively impacted through Sphero Edu and its work to educate kids surrounding technology and computer science. For more information, visit sphero.com/education or follow @SpheroEdu on Twitter.

Vincross Announces Launch of MIND Kit, Modular Robotics Kit for Makers

With $10M in Series A+ funding, Vincross launches MIND Kit, first
robotics-only makers kit, available on Kickstarter

San Francisco, February 19, 2019 / PRNewswire / — Vincross
<http://vincross.com/>, a developer of accessible consumer robotics,
announced the launch of MIND Kit, a robotics developer kit for makers,
developers, robotics enthusiasts, and even first time students of robotic
development, which is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter starting
today.

The launch of MIND Kit is opportune in an environment when robotics is
garnering greater visibility of its future impact to society, but in
reality the opportunities to learn about or even develop complex robotics
doesn’t exist outside of the laboratory or children’s robotics development
kits.

In fact, 90% of Americans believe learning about robotics will
‘future-proof’ their professions, but just 5% of Americans have attempted
to develop a robotics program, according to a Harris Poll commissioned by
Vincross. The crux of the problem lies in 62% of Americans today feeling
that robotics hardware is inaccessible, according to the poll. MIND Kit
comes in at a time when too few public or community-based resources are
available, while robotics kits with drag-and-drop programming merely cater
to children, but offer nothing modular and sophisticated enough to build
practical, complex robots.

Driven by a mission to make robotics accessible, which started with HEXA,
Vincross’ six-legged all-terrain robot, MIND Kit takes Vincross vision a
step further. As the first and only robotics-optimized makers kit that’s
highly customizable, MIND Kit sports 54 programmable pins and six USB-C
ports, suited for building experimental IoT devices and robots that makes
access to robotics development closer to a reality where it’s no more
challenging than building mobile applications.

MIND Kit is the sum of three fundamental hardware modules that make up the
base of the kit including the CEREBRUM, the central processing unit
enabling complex AI computations including computer vision AI or
Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM); the SERVO CONTROLLER, which
powers as many as 20 servos motors simultaneously; and ENERGON, a battery
optimized to run both servo motors and AI algorithms with an output rate of
480 watts.

Under the hood powering MIND Kit, is MIND OS 2.0, Vincross’ updated
robotics-specific operating system that can be accessed through a simple
SDK, making it easier than ever to build your MIND Kit robot’s skills,
movements and applications, without requiring deep robotics development
skills. In addition, MIND OS is supported by the Vincross Forum, a
community of robotics developers sharing the knowledge and skills to
support other developers in their robotic builds.

For added functionality, users can attach additional plug-and-play modular
hardware accessories including lidar, mountable sensors, speakers, mic
arrays or even a tank base that allows your robotics build to drive over
uneven terrain.

In fact, early beta testers have transformed MIND Kit into lifestyle
accompaniments including a voice controlled IoT device with motorized arms
that act on command to passing the salt and pepper at your dinner table or
to assist with infant feeding; a consumer robotics product like a vacuum
cleaner that uses SLAM and computer vision to navigate around your floor
while brushing up dust autonomously; or even an eight-legged all-terrain
robot akin to HEXA.

“HEXA was the most sophisticated all-purpose consumer robot that empowered
even software developers to manipulate HEXA, but we saw a demand to make
robotics development just as easy for both developing hardware and
software,” said Tianqi Sun, CEO and Founder of Vincross. “MIND Kit was a
natural evolution from HEXA and hope to inspire more aspiring roboticists
out of the classroom and building real world use cases for robotics.”

Product Features

CEREBRUM – The ‘brain’ or CPU that powers the MIND Kit ecosystem including
its modular accessories, runs on an ARM Cortex-A53 Quad-Core 1.2GHz
processor.

SERVO CONTROLLER – The module that enables MIND Kit to run up to 20 servos
motors simultaneously. The Servo Controller along with the Cerebrum, when
clipped together, form the basis of MIND Kit as a robotics-optimized makers
kit.

ENERGON – a Lithium-ion battery that’s optimized to run both AI and robotic
motors efficiently.

MIND OS 2.0 – The first and only operating system on the market that’s
exclusively designed for robotics, has been updated and now makes it easier
than ever to develop software applications for your robot.

Customizable – With 54 programmable pins or 6 USB Type-C outlets built into
Cerebrum, hack MIND Kit to build highly sophisticated robots customized to
your desire.

Modular Accessories – With plug-and-play accessories, clip accessories
together to add more functions to your robotic build including Lidar,
4-Axis Robotic Arm, Tank Base (wheeled module with caterpillar track),
Speaker & Microphone Array, and Rover Base (four wheeled module).

Robotics-Optimized – The only robotics-tailored makers kit, MIND Kit can
control up to 20 servo motors at once, while also running SLAM, real-time
video processing, and reinforcement learning.

Vincross also announces $10 Million in Series A+ funding, lead by Lenovo,
with participation from previous investors including GGV and Seek Dource,
who share in Vincross’ vision of making robotics even more accessible to
people. The latest investment follows the company’s $6 Million Series A
round
<https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vincross-to-debut-all-terrain-consumer-robot-hexa-raises-6-million-series-a-led-by-ggv-300347625.html>
led by GGV Capital and participated by Zhenfund.

MIND Kit’s basic kit is available for on Kickstarter for $99 USD, including
Cerebrum, and will later retail for $150 USD. A combo kit, comprised of
Cerebrum, a Servo Controller, and Robot Battery, will be available for $199
on Kickstarter.

To learn more about MIND Kit, visit vincross.com/MINDKit

Maker Faire Ruhr in der DASA – Vampirjäger und zeitreisende Beamte

Wenn Wundersames aus 3D-Druckern kommt und das Jahrhundert von gestern in die Welt von morgen einlädt, ist wieder Maker Faire Ruhr. Phantastisches, Verrücktes und Digitales sind die Zutaten für ein Festival der Extra-Klasse. Die DASA Arbeitswelt Ausstellung präsentiert am 23. und 24. März in ihren dafür wie gemachten Hallen, was Zeitgenossen in der Garage, im Hobbyraum oder im Wohnzimmer alles zustande bringen.

Das weltbekannte Tüftel-Festival hat das Ruhrgebiet mittlerweile fest im Griff. Ob aus Bochum, Essen oder Schwerte – die Region ist ein Tummelplatz für schräge Ideen. DIY-Blog- ger, Experten für optische Täuschungen, Amateurfunker oder OpenSource Programmierer: Der Rohstoff nach Ende des Bergbaus sind reichlich findige Ideen. Wer mag, trifft auf eine Steampunk-Spezialistin aus Witten, auf das neue FabLab aus Hamm oder auf Größen der Szene wie Upcycling-Spezi Thomas Zigan von Tanz auf Ruinen oder die Dortmunder Platzhir- sche „Urbanisten“.

Neben jeder Menge Lokalcolorit gibt es beliebte und bekannte Attraktionen wie die nieder- ländischen Maschinen-Umbauer „Abacus Theater“ mit Gefährten, die jedes Foto bereichern, den Fotobus „Cliff McLaine“ für ein Erste-Sahne-Selfie oder den Dampfzirkus Papenburg mit Fahrzeugen, die bei der Vampirjagd hilfreich sein können. Nicht fehlen dürfen weder zeitrei- sende Beamte noch Maskottchen Makey.

Zum 500. Todestag von Universalgelehrten Leonardo da Vinci hat sich Zirkus Meer eine besondere Würdigung ausgedacht und überrascht die DASA-Gäste mit einer neuen Knobe- lei aus dem Dunstkreis des Genies. Erstmalig am Start sind außerdem die „Maker Girls“ aus Königswinter, die für noch mehr Frauenpower sorgen. Und WDR5-Küchenexperimenteur Sascha Ott sorgt mit verblüffenden Versuchen für jede Menge Action.

Insgesamt laden über 60 Stände zu einer bunten Rund-Tour zwischen IT und Design sowie Produktideen aus Hightech, Kunst und Handwerk ein. Workshops und Vorträge machen die Maker Faire Ruhr in der DASA zu einem gelungenen Erlebnis für Entdeckungsreisende.

Die Maker Faires präsentieren „Do it yourself“ Projekte aus aller Welt. Ziel ist es, die Idee des Selbermachens zu stärken, eigenen Technik ideen freien Lauf zu lassen und offene Au- gen zu haben für eine neue Verwendung von gebrauchten Gegenständen.

An beiden Tagen ist die „Maker Faire“ in der DASA von 10 bis 18 Uhr geöffnet. Der Eintritt beträgt 8 Euro, die Familienkarte kostet 16 EUR.

www.makerfaire-ruhr.com

Make Munich – The Maker and Do-It-Yourself Festival

Make Munich is Southern Germany’s largest maker and do it yourself festival, which will take place for the fifth time in Munich next March. It has been firmly established in Munich since 2013 and will even be expanded by a second exhibition hall in 2019.

On 2nd/3rd March 2019, the makers will present their creative ideas, inventions, projects, technologies and their open, colourful culture of innovation. At the exhibition booths and in many inspiring lectures, the Maker scene will be experienced in its entire variety. But it’s not just about spectating, it’s also about doing it yourself and experimenting: In numerous hands-on workshops „new makers“ are taught all the skills they need to be creative and inventive and to produce their own things using modern technologies. The Munich Maker Festival is a colourful public event for all ages. You can touch and try out high-tech here. The mega topic of digitisation can be experienced by everyone in a comprehensible and creative way.

The diverse topics at Make Munich include electronics, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, digital tools, robotics and fashion technology. Maker start-ups show the way to professionalisation. FabLabs and Makerspaces present their ideas and creative communities. Also projects and initiatives from the circular economy, repair culture, bio-hacking and design & craft present themselves to the public. A completely new feature is a separate large area for the „Young Maker“ young talents.

In addition to 180 exhibitors, more than 10,000 visitors from Germany and the neighbouring countries Italy, Switzerland and Austria are expected.

Our long-standing partner and main sponsor, Allnet GmbH, will be networking the maker scene with established medium-sized companies from its surroundings in a dedicated area in the new „Kohlenbunker“ hall on the Saturday of the fair. As the new main sponsor, Siemens AG is also on board to promote the maker culture and innovations across society. As a close educational cooperation partner, Munich University of Applied Sciences will present many exciting university maker projects. Other colleges and universities will also present their FabLab initiatives and ideas.

Make Munich short info: What: South Germany’s largest Maker and Do It Yourself Festival When. When? Sat/Sun 2nd/3rd March 2019 Open: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Zenith hall + Kohlenbunker hall, Lilienthallee 29, 80939 Munich, Germany Entrance fees: Children up to 10 years free of charge, teenagers 8 €, adults 15€, families 30 €

http://www.make-munich.de


Make Munich – Das Maker- und Do-It-Yourself Festival für die „Selbermacher“ der nächsten Generation

München, den 19.2.2019:

Von 3D Druck haben wir alle schon gehört – aber haben Sie schon mal selbst etwas 3D-gedruckt? Wussten Sie, dass Sie es mit ein paar Tipps in wenigen Stunden schaffen könnten, selbst einen Roboter zu bauen? Begriffe wie Digitalisierung, Internet of Things (IoT) und Virtual Reality umschwirren uns. Aber wie funktioniert das und kann ich das mal ausprobieren? Dafür gibt es die Make Munich: Das Selbermacher-Festival für Tüftlerinnen und Düsentriebe aller Alters- und Erfahrungsstufen.

Die Make Munich ist Süddeutschlands größtes Maker- und Do It Yourself Festival, das Anfang März bereits zum fünften Mal in München stattfindet. 2019 mit gleich 2 Messehallen so groß wie noch nie! Wir erwarten über 10.000 Besucherinnen und Besucher.

Am Wochenende 2. + 3. März 2019 präsentieren die Maker ihre kreativen Ideen, Erfindungen, Projekte, Technologien und ihre offene, bunte Innovationskultur.

An ca. 180 Messeständen und in vielen inspirierenden Vorträgen wird die Maker-Bewegung in ihrer ganzen Bandbreite erlebbar sein. Aber nur „schauen“ und „zuhören“ ist nicht genug. In über 40 Mitmach-Workshops werden alle Fertigkeiten vermittelt, um selbst kreativ und erfinderisch tätig zu werden und selbst Dinge mit digitalen Technologien oder auch ganz traditionell mit den Händen zu fertigen. High-Tech und Low-Tech kann man hier anfassen, erleben und ausprobieren.

Messehighlights

  • Maker, FabLabs und Makerspaces mit tollen Projekten und inspirierenden Ideen
  • interessante Startups z.B. in den Bereichen Elektronik, Design, Mobilität und Ökologie
  • Die „3D Pioneers Challenge“-Ausstellung zeigt prämierte 3D Druck Design Objekte
  • riesige Kids-Workshop-Area für den Nachwuchs in der Kohlebunker-Halle
  • „Maker meets Mittelstand“ am Samstag in der Allnet ICT Area im Kohlebunker
  • Sonntag: Wörld Champignon-Chips Hebocon: Der größte Schrott Roboter Fight aller Zeiten. Jetzt mitmachen, Roboter basteln und bewerben: https://make-munich.de/hebocon-2019
  • Maker Movement beeinflusst die Hochschullehre: Gute Beispiele gibt es zu erleben.

Highlights auf der Vortragsbühne

  • Weltweiter Top-Drohnenexperte John D. Vasquez präsentiert seine neuesten Drohnen
  • Podiumsdiskussion „Making Industrie 4.0 und die digitale Zukunft der Arbeit“ mit Björn Böhning, Staatssekretär des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales
  • Satirische Einlage von Prof. Dr. Georg Eggers mit der „Physik des Scheiterns“
  • Podiumsdiskussion zur Kultur der Raparierens

Die beiden Make Munich Hauptsponsoren sind unser langjähriger Partner Allnet GmbH  sowie die Siemens AG. Die Hochschule München ist unser zentraler Bildungskooperationspartner. Auch andere Hochschulen und Universitäten zeigen ihre FabLab Initativen und Ideen. Die Make Munich wird gefördert von der Landeshauptstadt München, Referat Arbeit und Wirtschaft.

Was ist Make Munich:
Ist das jährlich stattfindende Münchner Maker und Do-it-Yourself Festival. Ziel der Veranstaltung ist es der Makerszene von Entwicklern, Tüftlern, Designer und Künstlern eine Plattform für Präsentation und Vernetzung zu geben und Besuchern außerhalb dieser Kreise Zugang zu neuen Technologien, Werkstätten und Möglichkeiten der Demokratisierung der Produktionsmittel.
Als Festival „von Makern für Maker“ wird die Organisation der Make Munich zum erheblichen Teil aus der Münchener Maker-Community heraus getragen. Seit 2015 gibt die neu gegründete Make Germany GmbH der Make Munich als Veranstalter ihren festen geschäftlichen und organisatorischen Rahmen. Die Make Germany GmbH ist ein Social Enterprise, das sich die Förderung und Vernetzung der Maker-Szene auf die Fahnen geschrieben hat.

Make Munich Kurzinfo:

Was: Süddeutschlands größtes Maker- und Do It Yourself Festival

Wann: Sa/So 2.+3. März 2019
Offen: 10-18 Uhr

Wo: Zenith Halle + Kohlebunker, Lilienthallee 29, 80939 München

Eintrittspreise: Kinder bis 10J. kostenlos, Jugendliche 8 €, Erwachsene 15 €, Familien 30 €

Das Zeitalter der Roboter hat begonnen

Jason Gao, Marketing Director bei Geek+, führt drei entscheidende Gründe auf, die für den Einsatz von Robotern in der Logistik sprechen.

Lastwägen ausladen, die Lagerlogistik betreuen oder Produkte von A nach B bringen, um dem Menschen zu assistieren und ihm die Arbeit zu erleichtern: Der Einsatz von Robotern in der Logistik wird mehr und mehr ausgeweitet – und ein Ende dieses Booms ist nicht in Sicht. Ganz im Gegenteil: In Zukunft werden Roboter immer mehr Tätigkeiten im Warenlager übernehmen.

Jason Gao, Marketing Director bei Geek+, fasst die Gründe zusammen, die für diese Entwicklung sprechen:

1. Arbeitskräftemangel – Cobots on the rise

Wie so viele Branchen bekommen auch Logistikunternehmen den Mangel an Arbeits- und Fachkräften zu spüren. Deshalb müssen alternative Lösungen gefunden werden. Ein Trend, der sich abzeichnet, ist die intelligente Automation von Logistikabläufen in Lagern.

Damit einhergehend wird der Einsatz von Robotern fast schon zur Selbstverständlichkeit, weil diese flexibel und zeitunabhängig eingesetzt werden können und somit die menschliche Arbeitskraft in bestimmten Bereichen problemlos ersetzen. 

2. Kostendruck – Robots don’t want a raise

In einer von Konkurrenz- und Preisdruck geprägten Branche wie der Logistik ist eine zeit- und kosteneffektive Abwicklung von Arbeitsprozessen zum geschäftskritischen Faktor geworden. Im Vergleich zu Angestellten können Roboter flexibel und skalierbar eingesetzt werden – und die Investition des Unternehmens amortisiert sich kurz- bis mittelfristig.

Außerdem unterstützen Roboter die Angestellten in ihrer täglichen Arbeit und können dabei helfen, Überlastungen vorzubeugen. Cobots sorgen zudem dafür, dass Arbeitskapazitäten für komplexe und strategische Aufgaben frei werden.

3. Geschwindigkeit – Robots won’t get tired

Durch den Einzug von E-Commerce und die steigenden Ansprüche von Kunden, zum Beispiel an die Lieferzeiten, müssen Arbeitsabläufe in der Logistik auch im Hinblick auf Geschwindigkeit optimiert werden. Denn um die Kundenzufriedenheit zu gewährleisten und den gestiegenen Kundenwünschen gerecht zu werden, bedarf es immer intelligenteren und schneller werdenden Systemen.

Menschliche Arbeitskraft allein kann diesen geforderten Entwicklungs- und Optimierungsschritt aber nicht mehr bewältigen. Mit KI-basierten, assistierenden Robotern können Unternehmen hingegen sicherstellen, dass sie auch den Anforderungen der Zukunft gewachsen sein werden.  

Über Geek+
Geek+ bietet KI- und Robotiklösungen aus einer Hand, um die Effizienz in der Logistik und im Lagermanagement zu steigern. Mithilfe von Künstlicher Intelligenz und Robotik möchte Geek+ die Prozesse im Bereich Auftragsabwicklung, Materialhandhabung und Sortierung vereinfachen. Gleichzeitig soll der Arbeitsaufwand reduziert und die Konsolidierung sowie die Kommissionierung optimiert und die Roboter-Flotte verwaltet werden. Das Unternehmen mit Hauptsitz in Peking wurde 2005 gegründet und beschäftigt mehr als 600 Mitarbeiter. In der Series-B-Finanzierungsrunde hat sich Geek+ 150 Millionen US-Dollar sichern können – die weltweit größte Finanzierung im Bereich KI-gestützte Logistikroboter. Mehr Informationen finden Sie unter www.geekplusrobotics.com.

Meet Hundreds of Robots in Motion: PingPong

Build any robot!  Create every motion!

A new paradigm of easy, fun, affordable and super-extensible robot platform

Robot Factory developed an unique singular module based robot platform called PingPong, which can create hundreds of robots with an easy assembly and provide an opportunity to enjoy fun activities at an affordable price.

Many car shaped robots are capable of driving, crawling or walking robots are usually expensive and complicated to make. It also takes up a lot of time to assemble. Everything starts from the idea of creating a robot platform with huge extensibilities, easy operations and inexpensive prices. Robot Factory presents a new paradigm in the history of robotics toy, PingPong: a single module based robot platform.

PingPong is a single modular robot platform. Each Cube has BLE 5.0 CPU, battery, motor and sensors. By combining Cubes and Links, the user is able to build any robot model they want within several minutes. Robot Factory solved many technical problems to bring this innovative platform, making it possible to construct running, crawling and walking robots with a single module. Other than synchronization, group assembly and charging problems, the company took care of PinPong Cube grouping issues as well. On top of that, velocity and absolute angle motor control technology became available; older versions of smartphones had great compatibility; smart devices and IR remote controllers can be used to move the robots simultaneously. In addition, controlling hundreds of Cubes with a single device is now possible, utilizing successive Bluetooth networking technology. As a result, an easy, fun, new robot platform finally came into light at affordable prices and unlimited extensibility. Robot Factory strives to make PingPong a new standard in robot entertainment, SW education and the makers market.