The Makeblock mBot Ranger is a 3-in-1 robot building kit designed for kids aged 10 years that teaches building and programming robots in a fun and exciting way.

Features

1. Three different robot configurations

• The mBot Ranger can be configured into three different robots: a robot tank, a three-wheeled racing car, and a self-balancing car. This allows kids to learn about different types of robots and how they work.

2. Programmable

• The mBot Ranger is programmable using the mBlock software, which is based on Scratch 2.0. This allows kids to learn coding and programming skills in a fun and interactive way.

3. Easy to build

• The kit is solidly built, mostly metal, and has easy-to-understand architecture. It comes with the tools to build several different iterations and lots of add-ons for customization.

4. Hands-on learning

• The mBot Ranger combines building and programming, functionality and hands-on learning. This allows kids to learn by doing and to see the results of their work in action.

5. Control from smartphone or tablet

• The mBot Ranger can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth if you don’t like to program. This allows kids control their robot from a distance.

6. Great for entry-level coding lessons

• The mBot Ranger is a great entry-level coding robot kit. It is straightforward and simple to build and control, making it a great choice for kids who are just starting to learn about coding and robotics.

These features make it a versatile and educational tool for teaching kids about robotics and coding.

Hardware

The Makeblock mBot Ranger is an educational robot with powder-coated metal parts and an Arduino compatible mainboard called the Me Auriga. Overall, the Makeblock mBot Ranger comes with a range of hardware and sensors that allow it to navigate, detect obstacles, follow lines, respond to light, and be controlled remotely. Here are some of the hardware and sensors in the kit:

1. Me Auriga mainboard

• The Me Auriga mainboard is an Arduino-compatible board that provides a wide range of features and interfaces.
• It is the brain of the robot and allows it to be programmed and controlled.
• The Me Auriga board integrates various sensors, including a gyro sensor, temperature sensor, sound sensor, and ultrasonic sensor

2. Ultrasonic sensor

• The mBot Ranger comes with an ultrasonic sensor that can detect obstacles and measure distances.
• This allows the robot to navigate and avoid obstacles.

3. Line follower sensor

• The kit also includes a line follower sensor that can detect and follow lines on the ground.
• This allows the robot to follow a path and stay on course.

4. Light sensor

• The mBot Ranger has a light sensor that can detect light intensity.
• This allows the robot to respond to changes in light and to adjust its behavior accordingly.

5. Infrared receiver

• The kit includes an infrared receiver that allows the robot to receive signals from a remote control.
• This allows the robot to be controlled from a distance.

6. Gyro sensor

• The gyro sensor can be used to determine the movement and posture of the robot.
• It can be used to make a self-balancing robot.

7. Temperature sensor

• The temperature sensor can be used to measure the temperature of the environment.
• It can be used to create a robot that responds to changes in temperature.

8. Sound sensor

• The sound sensor can be used to detect sound intensity.
• It can be used to create a robot that responds to sound, such as a robot that moves towards a loud noise.

Conclusion

mBot Ranger is a solidly built kit, mostly metal, with easy-to-understand architecture. It comes with the tools to build several different iterations and lots of add-ons for customization. The user manual is excellent and lists out all the components in the kit. The mBlock interface is pretty intuitive, especially if kids have already used Scratch or another block-based language, so kids are likely to be able to work out how to program the Ranger through exploration. Overall, the Makeblock mBot Ranger is easy to use and a great tool for teaching kids about robotics, coding, and hands-on learning.

The Makeblock mBot Ranger is an excellent piece of DIY kit for kids to build different types of robots, write code, and control them from a smartphone or tablet. It is a great tool for teaching kids about robotics, coding, and hands-on learning.

mbot Ranger and more MakeBlock products can be found here.