Elemental Path, maker of award-winning cognitoys, launches Indiegogo campaign for new artificial intelligence learning companion toy Stemosaur

NEW YORK  – Elemental Path, known for its award-winning line of artificial intelligence toys for kids, today launches an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to support its newest product in the CogniToys family, STEMosaur. The STEMosaur is a customizable toy that doubles as a learning companion for children, combining the best elements of the flagship CogniToys Dino, such as the Friendgine, with a more hands-on approach featuring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) elements, as well as lessons in Coding. The Indiegogo campaign aims to raise $25,000 in 45 days, with the super early bird backer level starting at just $99. To support this campaign, visit https://igg.me/at/stemosaur.

“We launched the Dino in 2015 with a very successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over a quarter-million dollars. In the past two years since, we’ve definitely learned a lot about our users and what they want in a product, and we are using these important lessons to create an even better and more hands-on experience with kids,” said Donald Coolidge, CEO and co-founder of Elemental Path. “This time around with the STEMosaur, we’ll be offering a more interactive and engaging experience – where kids will have the ability to construct the STEMosaur from scratch, carry intelligent conversation, play games and also learn the basics of coding.”

With STEMosaur, kids ages seven and older can construct, code and play. The learning begins with a hands-on exercise that allows children to construct their new friend from a variety of building pieces to bring it to life. Once constructed, the Wi-Fi enabled STEMosaur is immediately capable of holding conversation, telling jokes and playing games that engage the user’s imagination and creativity. This is achieved through Elemental Path’s own Friendgine technology, a cloud-based artificial intelligence software platform that allows the smart toy to hold intelligent conversation with the child and share answers to questions in real time.

In addition, Elemental Path is launching its Coding Panel, an easy-to-use platform that will teach different elements of how to code and allow kids to create their own custom educational content and STEMosaur programming. The Coding Panel may be accessed through a computer or tablet and registers with the individual toy. Such features include coding the STEMosaur to tell unique jokes, share additional stories and play games of the child’s choosing.

“It’s clear that parents want their kids to play with toys that teach something, especially elements of coding and STEM. We see the STEMosaur, and the CogniToys line as a whole, as a way to unlock kids’ creativity and foster their imaginations through intelligent hands-on play,” added Coolidge. “Our goal is for CogniToys to help fuel the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

STEMosaur is also equipped with a Parent Panel so that parents can stay engaged and informed about what their child is learning. The Parent Panel monitors usage patterns and learning progress. It also includes features such as a bedtime setting. Parents can use this platform to contribute directly to the child’s educational experience, programming their own stories, jokes, games and more.

 

The Indiegogo campaign is now live and running through October 3rd with the goal of raising $25,000. Backer levels range from $99 to $255. There are also two special, higher-priced backer packages – a donation bundle priced at $1,250, where CogniToys will match your product purchase with a donation of 10 STEMosaurs to the school of your choice; and a $2,500 package, where you will receive an engraved STEMosaur and have the opportunity to tour the production facility and enjoy other exclusive perks. The company will ship all STEMosaurs in November for receipt in December 2017, so backers will be able to give the gift of STEMosaur this holiday season.

To view the campaign page, please visit https://igg.me/at/stemosaur. To learn more about Elemental Path and CogniToys, visit www.cognitoys.com.

iRobot Expands Operations in Europe with Closing of Robopolis Acquisition

BEDFORD, Mass.Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in consumer robots, today announced that it has closed the previously announced acquisition of Robopolis SAS (Robopolis), based in Lyon, France. The preliminary purchase price of $141 million, is subject to normal purchase price adjustments and is expected to be finalized no later than Q1 2018.

Europe is a key strategic region for iRobot and provides an excellent opportunity for further growth. As announced on July 25, 2017, the acquisition will enable iRobot to capitalize on the current market momentum, driving accelerated adoption of robotic floor cleaners. The EMEA region comprised approximately 25% of iRobot’s 2016 consumer revenue. Robopolis represented nearly half of iRobot’s EMEA revenues in 2016.

With the acquisition, iRobot will further extend its overseas control of market activities, including consistent global messaging, that will help drive greater adoption of robotic vacuum cleaners and affirm iRobot’s segment leadership.

„As iRobot expands globally, we are excited about the current and future opportunities in Europe,“ said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer of iRobot. „With the closing of this acquisition, we welcome a team that has already solidified iRobot’s market leading position in Europe and is well positioned to drive continued growth in the region.“

Led from the London, UK office, iRobot will maintain operations in GermanySpainFranceBelgiumAustriathe Netherlands, and Portugal. The existing Robopolis management team will join iRobot. Jean-Jacques Blanc, currently iRobot’s vice president and general manager, Overseas, will lead the combined operations reporting to iRobot’s chief operating officer Christian Cerda.

Denis Guyennot, the CEO of Robopolis, was instrumental in establishing iRobot as the leading consumer robotics brand in Western Europe. Denis will remain with iRobot as a consultant to ensure a successful integration of Robopolis and iRobot.

Additional financial details will be provided as part of iRobot’s earnings call on October 25, 2017.

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® Vacuuming Robot in 2002. Today, iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 20 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’s engineers are building an ecosystem of robots and data 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 future growth in Europe and management’s plans, objectives and strategies. 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.

T3D, 3D Printing Directly From You Mobile Devices Launches on Kickstarter

San Francisco, CA. September 19, 2017– T3D, an innovative technology company specializing in light- sensitive chemical resin development, announces the crowdfunding campaign launch of their newest mobile 3D printing solution on Kickstarter on 9/19/2017. During the month-long campaign, limited super early bird rewards will be available for as low as $169 (45% off the retail price of $299).

T3D works with any mobile device, smartphones or tablets. Weighing at only 32 ounces, allows for 3D printing on the go, anytime anywhere. By applying the patented visible light-active resin, T3D enables open air printing, giving Makers a front row access to the printing experience. And with the exclusive App, users of all experience levels can have access to over 5,800 3D models in the cloud gallery and become a professional in 3D printing.

Key product features:

  • Open air printing – Prints directly from your smart device without a cover
  • Multi-color kit – Print different colors instantly with add-on kit
  • Multi-functional – Flexible 360 degree 3D scanning module
  • Certified 3D models – Tested and pre approved models to ensure quality printing
  • Open source – Printer specification made available for personalization

The campaign has a goal of $35,000 and will begin reward fulfillment in March 2018. The various reward pledges include:

  • Limited Super Early Bird option for $169 (45% off retail)
  • Pair Bundle Special for $339 (50% off retail)
  • Super Early Bird Multi-Functional Package (multi-color + scanning kit) for $749 (42% off retail)

“T3D will definitely be a game-changer to the 3D printing industry.” say Dr. Jeng, founder of T3D. “Whether it is speed or precision, T3D packs a lot of punch considering its small form factor. At an estimated retail price of $299, you are not going to find anything comparable out in the market, plus it is truly mobile because it works with all your mobile devices.”

For more information, visit : www.myt3d.com

Bell Robot announces the crowdfunding campaign and launch of their modular interactive robotics learning kit for kids

Mabot takes learning and makes it fun. Their interactive robotics learning kit is an educational toy designed especially for kids and youngsters. It’s the first modular robot kit that allows nearly endless combinations of robot builds that is simple to use, educational, as well as fun for the whole family.   

 

Children are naturally curious and as any parent knows, they love electronics such as phones, tablets, video games and toys. The team behind Mabot sought a way to take this natural tendency and turn it into fun, interactive learning that builds problem solving skills and creativity in kids. They designed an incredible robotic system that uses modular components to create robots and powered vehicles that can move, sense their surroundings and interact with the environment. Mabot is like a next generation remote control vehicle, one that utilizes advanced robotic capabilities.  

Using a series of modular balls that easily connect together, a virtually endless number of robots can be built. Building and modifying robots is fast and simple using hot-plugin, a feature that allows the balls to be connected and disconnected without the need to turn off the power. A Battery Ball powers other components that drive the robot, sense colors and objects nearby and even pick things up. A Brain Ball controls it all along with two intuitive Apps that make programming fun and easy, the Mabot Go App and the more advanced, Mabot IDE App. 

For beginners, the Mabot Go App includes pre-set, step-by-step build instructions for more than 10 robots that guide new builders toward their goal while demonstrating basic coding. Once users are ready to take it to the next level, the advanced Mabot IDE App is used to program the robot for more complicated tasks using coding blocks similar to Arduino. Having two Apps creates a pathway to learning for young programmers who can learn and grow at their own pace.  

Mixing and matching the robotic modules lets kids create robots with different looks, uses and functions. The Mabot is also compatible with the popular Lego brand toys, putting a modern spin on a classic kid’s favorite and adding another dimension to creative building. The robot kit and companion app make learning robotics and coding fun for kids of all ages and provides a positive family activity.   

“As engineers, robotics experts and parents, we realize the importance of raising children with valuable skills for the future. But we also know that learning must be fun in order to fully engage kids. We designed Mabot with fun as a first priority and then created a learning system that kids love.” Bell Robots CEO, Alvin Wang 

 The Team behind Mabot is Bell Educational Group, a leader in robotic learning curriculums for kids. They developed Mabot in response to feedback from parents and teachers about the difficulty of getting kids interested in STEM learning. STEM is an educational system that emphasizes a holistic approach to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that encourages collaboration, problem solving and creativity in children. This proven approach to learning is vital for early childhood development and results in lifelong skills. Mabot was created as a powerful learning tool for youngsters age 6 and up to engage kids in a totally new and fun way of learning robotics and programming. 

 Mabot is currently being launched via a Kickstarter campaign so they can reward early adopters with special deals and pricing.  

Summary: Bell Robot announces the launch of Mabot an interactive robotics learning kit for children that teaches creative building, coding and robotics.  

Robots Are Coming To A School Near You

ROBOLOCO has launched the Roboterra Robotics Kits to make STEM education easy for the teacher, fun for the kids and affordable to the schools.

ROBOLOCO, Inc., an educational technology company, with headquarters in Santa Clara, CA, announces a strategic distribution and licensing partnership with RoboTerra Inc., a Silicon Valley & Beijing global educational robotics company. According to the agreement, ROBOLOCO is now the sole distributor for the RoboTerra award-winning Origin and ERRA Kits, outside of China. This partnership incorporates a perpetual license for ROBOLOCO to develop its own proprietary software and robots based upon the existing RoboTerra technology.

ROBOLOCO’s CEO, Newton Paskin said, “The acquisition of RoboTerra products distribution in the global market, the rights to further improve the existing technology and continue to develop our own proprietary IP on top of RoboTerra’s IP complements our passion to help educators teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Our team, customers, and investors are extremely excited about the possibilities.”

ROBOLOCO will continue to develop RoboTerra’s educational tools such as the award-winning Origin Robotics Kit and the CastleRock Online Platform, the world’s first virtual robotics learning cloud. ROBOLOCO plans to add expertise in the areas of constructivist curriculum and artificial intelligence to enable instant feedback to educators and enhance the teaching and learning experiences providing an individualized and customized education opportunity for kids.

With this strategic partnership, ROBOLOCO, Inc. is seeking a new round of financing to scale its operations with the aim of reaching $ 75MM in revenue.

About ROBOLOCO, Inc.

ROBOLOCO, Inc. was recently launched by Newton Paskin, Patrick Muggler, and Derek Capo. Its’ mission is to empower educators to teach STEM and equip students with the skills they need for a successful life. To accomplish its mission ROBOLOCO is developing educational tools that combine leading-edge technology in hardware and software such as Robotics coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI) with accessible and easy to use constructivist curriculum, aligned with ISTE and NGSS Standards, focused on the teacher. Its motto is “Easy for the teacher, fun for the kids and affordable to the schools”

About RoboTerra, Inc.

RoboTerra was founded in Spring 2014 by Yao Zhang a 2016 Young Global Leader, Columbia University alum in the Economics and Education Ph.D. program, a FIRST Robotics World Championship invited speaker, and recipient of the „Best 10 Global Citizen Service Award“ by the United States Department of State.

RoboTerra China Private Enterprise (a.k.a. in Chinese “Luo Bo Tai La”) will continue its operations in China focusing towards developing products for the Chinese education market and RoboTerra Inc. (a Delaware C-Corp) will continue to advance technologies in the learning space.

Hitbot announces the Kickstarter launch of Z-Arm: An affordable & easy to use four-axis collaborative robotic arm

The Hitbot Z-Arm brings incredible versatility and convenience to hobbyists, makers and manufacturers. This one of a kind robotic arm can perform any number of tasks including 3D printing, soldering, engraving and assembly guided by a unique and intuitive set of programming tools that anyone can use.    

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/62697072/z-arm-affordable-collaborative-robotic-arm-for-eve?lang=de

Never before has the convenience and versatility of a SCARA (Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) been so accessible and user friendly. This type of advanced robotic arm uses a parallel axis joint layout which articulates in a similar way to a human arm, making it faster and more accurate than mechanical arms of previous generations.  

These incredible robotic arms have been used in the most advanced manufacturing facilities for sorting, circuit building and even automobile assembly. Now, with the release of the Hitbot Z-Arm, this powerful technology is available to hobbyists, makers, inventors and robotics enthusiasts. This programmable robotic arm can be anything from a personal assistant to a useful tool or dependable production line component. The Z-Arm will change the way people use technology and provide a completely new type of easily programmable robotic tool.   

Unlike the complex and expensive industrial robotic arms that inspired it, the Z-Arm is extremely easy to program for virtually any task. No special programming knowledge is necessary, making it simple for anyone to use. It uses an integrated driver and motion controller that can be programmed with an intuitive App using a simple graphical interface. It can even be manually programmed by moving the arm itself to create repeatable motions for different tasks. 

The list of applications that can be applied to the Z-Arm is endless. It can perform 3D printing, laser engraving, circuit board soldering and PCB assembly. It can play games, write, cut, perform repetitious actions or simply help out around the house as a personal assistant. It is even equipped with a camera for accurate visual identification, perfect for sorting and organizing. It handles objects of all types, even carefully gripping fragile items with ease.  

For more complex processes, multiple Z-Arms can be programmed to work together. Z-Arm can also work alongside humans with its safety-rated monitored stop, which stops the robot if a human enters its collaborative workspace. As a programmable robotic arm with high precision, its uses are only limited by the imagination.  

In terms of specifications the Z-Arm has an impressive list including 0.02mm Repeatability, a 400 mm Reach, and a front arm Rotation of 360 degrees. Add to that, a 430°/s Speed and a Payload capacity of up to 2kg which allows it to deliver industrial grade performance in a cost-effective manner. It is simply one of the most versatile robotic arms available today.   

 “Our group of designers and robotics experts wanted to encourage innovation by making the most affordable industrial-quality robotic arm that had intuitive tools which make it easy to use for novices. The Z-Arm is the culmination of our dream, a mechanical arm for the masses that will make the power of robotics accessible to everyone.” Jun Tian, CEO Hitbot LTD 

The team behind Hitbot are designers, developers and robotics experts who have years of experience in the field and a passion for creating powerful robotics for consumers. Their unique products are designed to make robotics easy for anyone to program and use.  

The Hitbot Z-Arm is being launched via Kickstarter campaign so the company can reward their community of early adopters with special deals and pricing.  

Six-legged robot launches its own Kickstarter campaign

Stockholm, NJ, September 15, 2017 — For the first time, a Kickstarter project has launched its own campaign. On September 12 the Vorpal Combat Hexapod—an open source, 3D printed, wireless walking robot—used one of its six robotic legs to press the “LAUNCH” button on the popular crowdfunding website, triggering its own campaign to go live to Kickstarter’s millions of backers.

“We gave the honor to the oldest surviving prototype hexapod,” remarked Steve Pendergrast, founder of Vorpal Robotics, LLC, the developer of the product. “Its name is Scrum. Every Vorpal Combat Hexapod has an individual name.”

Although somewhat spidery looking as they scamper across a tabletop or floor, the hexapods sport whimsical eyes and other decorations, making them look more like cartoon characters than arachnids.

Up to sixty different motions can be triggered by the hexapod’s custom Bluetooth gamepad, which is also 3D printed. Because of this versatility, the hexapod can be used to play games using appendages attached to its accessory port. These appendages are—you guessed it!—also 3D printed. Joust, Capture-the-Flag, Fidget Spinner Challenge, and other games are already available, with more in the pipeline.

“This is a great platform for fun activities that promote STEM education,” continued Pendergrast. “Schools with 3D printers can fabricate the plastic parts themselves and then buy low-cost kits with the electronics and motors from our Kickstarter campaign. They can even motivate students to design their own 3D printed attachments.”

The company also provides complete kits that include all 3D printed parts, and even fully assembled hexapods for those who just want to play games and program.

The Vorpal system also supports the MIT Scratch drag-and-drop programming language. Many schools already use Scratch to introduce programming to students, so this builds on a system many teachers already know. Students can even create new leg motions using Scratch and upload them to gamepad buttons for use during games and activities.

“Scrum the hexapod launched this project on Kickstarter,” Pendergrast remarked, “but it will be his descendants who will go out into the world to teach kids about science, technology, engineering and math.”

About Vorpal Robotics, LLC:

Vorpal Robotics, LLC creates fun, interactive robots and robot kits for educators, Makers, and hobbyists. For more information, visit www.vorpalrobotics.com. On Kickstarter: www.tinyurl.com/VCH-KS

Critter Crawling Arduino Robot 50% funded in First Day

The Critter is a unique crawling robotics kit that is currently raising funding on Kickstarter. It was 50% funded in the first day of its Kickstarter campaign and is well on track to exceed its funding goal.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/slantrobotics/critter-a-3d-printed-arduino-biped-kit-unlike-any

The Critter is a part of a family of robotics kits called LittleBots. The LittleBots are all 3D printed Arduino robotics kits, created by Slant Concepts, that have all been successfully launched on Kickstarter.

Most walking robots are very complex kits to build. They have many parts and are often too difficult for beginners to experiment with. Slant Concepts, created the Critter robotics kit to be a simple introduction to walking robots.

To reduce the complexity of walking, the Critter takes inspiration from mudskippers, fish which can exist on land. The Critter uses two front legs to pull itself along the ground. The simple design makes it easy to put together and very 3D printable. Also, once built, hobbyists can experiment with it without fear of damage for falling over.

The Critter is entirely 3D printed and based on Arduino. This is so it has the resources and support to be built anywhere by anyone.

The Critter is on Kickstarter raising money for the first run of kits and to pay for all of the support content that goes with it. This includes tutorials, video, and lesson plans. The more the campaign raises the more of these resources can be created.

http://www.littlearmrobot.com/

 

 

Matt Dixon Robot Calendar 2018

British illustrator Matt Dixon is bringing his 2018 robot calendar to Kickstarter in September. The calendar will be A3 in size, offset printed in full colour, spiral bound and features a robot artwork printed full page for each month of the year.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1619265419/2018-robot-calendar

The images are drawn from Matt’s ‚Transmissions‘ series of  robot art books. The first volume was published in 2013, followed by a second funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2015. Another Kickstarter campaign in 2017 gave birth to the third volume in the series, plus two books of ‚Blueprints‘ featuring drawings from Matt’s sketchbooks showing the development of some of the paintings in the ‚Transmissions‘ collection in addition to ideas that have yet to become finished paintings.

Matt is reluctant to share much information about his robots or the world they inhabit, preferring to allow the viewer to interpret the images as they find them.

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Bio

Matt Dixon was born in Birmingham, England in 1972 and has been an enthusiastic waver of brushes, crayons and pens for as long as he can remember. He began to use computers as an artistic tool in 1980 and first  contributed graphics to videogames as a teenager. Matt went on to work full time in games development before making the jump to freelance in 2012. He now works as an illustrator and concept artist, still mostly within the games industry.

 

Acutronic Robotics secures investment from Sony to support H-ROS, the Hardware Robot Operating System

Acutronic Robotics, a Swiss company with operations in Spain’s Basque Country, Switzerland, and the United States has closed on its Series A financing round with the Sony Innovation Fund. The investment will allow the company to accelerate the development of the Hardware Robot Operating System (H-ROS), the next big standard for robotic components.

Since its inception, Acutronic Robotics has worked on a common hardware and software infrastructure that will allow different components to interoperate, thereby solving one of the major issues facing the robotics field today. The company was established in 2016 by Víctor Mayoral, Carlos Uraga, and J.A. Technologies (J.A.T.), after the latter acquired Erle Robotics, a company previously founded by the brothers David and Víctor Mayoral.

H-ROS serves as an infrastructure for robotics that allows manufacturers and integrators to work under a uniform set of standards, thereby allowing them to mix different components and avoiding the usual pain of needing to program a unique interface for each component. H-ROS allows users to build systems quickly and easily, in full compliance with the latest industrial and commercial standards. This will democratize the construction of robots and provide access to a much wider field of developers.

Following the transaction, Víctor Mayoral and Carlos Uraga will serve as the company’s Managing Directors. The Board of Directors will consist of Florian Aigrain (Chairman and representative of J.A.T.), Christian Sieber, Carlos Uraga, Víctor Mayoral and Sony’s representative.

Carlos Uraga highlights: “Standards such as H-ROS are the needed next step for robotics to grow worldwide. The expected growth of a $150 billion market by 2020 is not going to take place without infrastructures like this. Builders and integrators are constantly facing the complexity of robots but H-ROS provides the tools for robotics to become accessible to everyone. Big companies and small players will now be able to play together on the same level. Even the latest ISO standards are being developed by taking H-ROS into account.”

Víctor Mayoral remarked: “H-ROS aims to change the landscape of robotics by creating an ecosystem where hardware components can be reused among different robots, regardless

of the original manufacturer. We strongly believe that the future of robotics will be about modular robots that can be easily repaired and reconfigured. H-ROS aims to shape this future. Sony’s leadership and vision in robotics is widely recognized in the community. We are confident that, with their support, our present innovations will spread even more rapidly.”

H-ROS will be released under a license and royalty model. A wide variety of robotic parts and components will also be commercially released through the creation of a marketplace for modular robotic components powered by H-ROS. The modularity of H-ROS has engendered the collaboration of Acutronic Robotics and several standardization organizations, including ISO and IEC. Together, they are working on next-generation robotics standards.

About Acutronic Link Robotics AG (“Acutronic Robotics”) Acutronic Robotics is a leading robotics development firm focused on next-generation solutions for a range of clients. The company has three primary business lines: the development and commercialization of the Hardware Robot Operating System (“H-ROS”); robot and drone interoperable hardware products; B2B engineering services offered to corporate and governmental clients.

Acutronic Robotics is headquartered in Switzerland and has locations in Spain and the United States. For more information, visit www.acutronicrobotics.com

About H-ROS H-ROS: the “Hardware Operating System for Robots” is the first standardized software and hardware infrastructure to create reusable and reconfigurable robots. Built upon the widely used ROS standard, H-ROS was designed to simplify and speed up the construction of robots. For more information, visit www.h-ros.com