These guys turn puzzles into robots

ActivePuzzle is a robot-building game where blocks are puzzle pieces

TEL AVIV – February 26, 2019 – ActivePuzzle, an innovative technology company that develops imaginative and educational products for the early advancement of children, announced the release of the ActivePuzzle game, an interactive robotic puzzle for kids. Designed to harness children’s enjoyment of puzzles and robots, and turn it into constructive learning experiences, ActivePuzzle teaches kids STEM concepts, logic and problem-solving skills in an innovative method. Through puzzles and robots, kids maintain a sense of spatial and tactile awareness rather than the tunnel vision that accompanies standard 2D puzzles or video games.

“Technology should be taught in a language children understand,” said Meir Sela, the founder of ActivePuzzle. “I got together with a team of creative people who shared the same vision; we wanted to teach children technology using their own language, one that they learn before they even start talking… Puzzles!”

Expressing technology ideas using puzzles makes ActivePuzzle the simplest robotics on earth. ActivePuzzle doesn’t rely on coding or computer screens — simply snap puzzle pieces together to form robots. That makes ActivePuzzle a great platform for invention and innovation. ActivePuzzle is easy to get the hang of — if you can build puzzles, you can create robots.

ActivePuzzle comes in two different sets:

∙        ActivePuzzle Invent ($145 US retail)

16 puzzle pieces included: LED, motor, buzzer, voltmeter, IR transmitter, light sensor, temperature sensor, proximity sensor, potentiometer, IR receiver, logic-not, logic-and, logic-or, insulator, wave and battery. Also included are one USB cable, one wheel and one propeller.

∙        ActivePuzzle Advanced ($175 US retail)

22 puzzle pieces included: LED, motor x2, buzzer, voltmeter, IR transmitter, light sensor, temperature sensor, proximity sensor x2, potentiometer, IR receiver, logic-not, logic-and, logic-or, insulator, wave, arduino, conductor, A2D and battery x2. Also included are one USB cable, two wheels and two propellers.

Each puzzle piece implements a certain function: the battery piece supplies electric power to the circuit, the proximity sensor “sees” objects, the motor drives a wheel or fan, etc. ActivePuzzle robots are based on the Braitenberg Vehicle principle: input pieces trigger adjacent output pieces. For instance, when a light sensor puzzle is connected to a motor puzzle, the motor will run faster as the light on the sensor gets more intense.

ActivePuzzle is for children aged 8+ and for those with young minds who want to build robots and to learn how they work. Additionally, educators can use ActivePuzzle to teach STEM: the game is very intuitive and simple to learn, and there are a large number of scientific and technological concepts that can be taught using ActivePuzzle. One important characteristic of ActivePuzzle is its being a gender-neutral game: the puzzle language makes girls feel natural and confident, and the game activities strengthen their self-efficacy.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/activepuzzle/activepuzzle

Say Hello to Armz, Gearbugs Corps.’s Latest Smart Toy Invention


NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 27, 2019
Gearbugs Corp. just announced that they are raising funds via Kickstarter to finish the development and production of Armz, a smart toy that can be customized to play various types of game modes. The company set out to raise $10,000 on Kickstarter to finish development and produce the first batch of their latest smart toy invention.

Armz is a new, smart toy that is designed to be highly customizable. The heart and soul of Armz is the Smart Core™ which contains the motors and mechanisms that allow it to move, speak, and light up. In addition to the Smart Core™, Armz also comes with five different arm attachments that can transform the core into a personalized toy.

Gearbugs Corp has also developed an app that will be available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. By syncing the app to the Armz via bluetooth, players will be able to access multiple game modes that match one of the five attachments. The current lineup of game modes include the following: Remote Control Racing, Steering Wheel Racing, Sumo Wrestling, and Tank Battle.

While the gaming feature is one of the main features of Armz, it also meant to be much more than just a simple toy. When Armz is not out on the field for matches, it can be placed on its charging dock to serve as a mood lamp or night light. Users can also customize the voice of Armz with their own recording and program it to act as a virtual home assistant. Finally, a blockchain coding mode is also available to act as an educational tool to teach basic coding.

With all of the available features, Armz users are able to put their imagination to the test by referring to the blueprint on the application and creating their own side attachments via 3D printing technology. As users get more accustomed to Armz’s capabilities over time, people may find that there are certain attachments that are not yet available that may enhance the performance of Armz.

Armz is now available on Kickstarter with exclusive early bird prices starting at $95 (40% off retail value). After the campaign, Gearbugs Corps. anticipates manufacturing and delivery to be fulfilled by the end of August 2019. Any influencers or journalists interested in receiving a sample and reviewing Armz are encouraged to submit an inquiry through its Kickstarter page.

VTech® Makes Debut in Robotics Toy Category with Myla the Magical Unicorn™

New Interactive Toy Features Enchanting Play Experience, Letting Kids Customize Myla with a Magical Color Palette

NEW YORK, February 14, 2019 — Today VTech® announces the introduction of Myla the Magical Unicorn™, a colorful robotic unicorn toy that glitters with lights as she talks and sings, while introducing early concepts of color combination in a fun way. Marking VTech’s entry into the robotics toy category and remaining on-trend with the continuing popularity of unicorns, this majestic interactive friend encourages kids to use the magic brush to choose a color from the butterfly palette and magically apply the color to her eyes, wings and horn. Myla the Magical Unicorn is on display at the 2019 North American International Toy Fair®.

“We’re so excited to make our debut in the robotics toy category with such an innovative product,” said Andy Keimach, President, VTech Electronics North America. “Myla will be a must-have toy. Myla’s interactive features and her amazing accessories make her more than a toy, she’s a fun friend!”

To customize Myla, simply touch her magic brush to the butterfly palette to choose a color. Then touch the magic brush to her eyes, wings and horn to decorate Myla in a variety of colors and even practice color combinations. Kids can also braid Myla’s mane, brush her tail and complete her look by adding her crown and hair clips. For interactive fun, kids can sing a rocking duet with Myla and her microphone. When it’s time to go solo, pull the microphone away and Myla will stop singing but continue to play music.

Myla the Magical Unicorn is recommended for ages 4+ years and will be available in May exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide and on Walmart.com, with expanded national retail availability this Fall.#

About VTech®

VTech is a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. As a pioneer in the learning toy category, VTech develops high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun. With a rich 40 year history, VTech has not only established itself as a learning authority but also consistently remains at the forefront of innovation with multiple award-winning products, including prestigious Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award winners. The company also has a broad range of award-winning infant, toddler and preschool products available in 31 different languages worldwide, with more than 100 new products introduced every year. In order to further strengthen VTech’s position as a learning authority, new products are developed with critical insights from a dedicated team of in-house learning experts.

VTech Electronics North America, L.L.C. is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. VTech Electronics Limited is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution globally.

For more information about VTech’s electronic learning products, visit www.VTechKids.comwww.facebook.com/VTechtoys on Facebook or follow @VTechToys on Twitter.

Smartibot launches the world’s first A.I. enabled cardboard robot

London, England – June 26th 2018 The Crafty Robot today launches its new robot kit Smartibot which is aimed at letting users get hands-on experience with A.I. and get creative through building their own robot out of anything, even a potato. Created by product designer Ross Atkin, who is part of a team of inventors in the BBC’s flagship technology program ‘The Big Life Fix’, Smartobots are available for pre-order on Kickstarter from £30 ($40).

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/460355237/338515758?ref=1k04h4&token=994114b3

Smartibot takes The Crafty Robot’s ‘build a robot out of anything’ ethos and adds the latest A.I. technology and smartphone connectivity. This allows you to build robots that can recognise and respond to objects they can see such as people, animals and vehicles, or be driven around the home and office using your smartphone as a remote control.

Smartibot comes with cleverly designed cardboard parts, and can be re-used to easily create new robots out of almost anything from porcelain to parsnips. The first three cardboard robot designs include;

  • A.I. Bot: The fun robot that can chase you, your pets or toy vehicles around the room.
  • Teabot: Which can carry two full drinks around the room, giving you a fun way to deliver your favourite person their beverage of choice.
  • Unicorn: It’s a freakin’ Unicorn!

Working with two groups of London-based craftspeople who use traditional processes, Smartibot has grown from a simple robot to something more. Artists at Turning Earth Studios have been able to craft robots using various clay and ceramic techniques whilst regulars at Wild and Woolly Yarn Shop have found knitting a series of robots was more their style. In an East London Makerspace, Machines Room, Smartibot robots have been made using the less traditional materials including potatoes and other vegetables in order to pit them against each other in a race and arena combat in the inaugural ‘Botato Wars’.

“I build technology for a living and I know that the best way to avoid being replaced by a robot is to be the person making the robot” explained Ross Atkin. “We believe building your own robot should be affordable, easy to understand and exciting for everyone. Because of this we created Smartibot in order to allow everyone the opportunity to experiment with the latest A.I. technology in a fun and inventive way.”

Unlike most education technology products, Smartibot allows you to learn all of the disciplines required to create new inventions, from coding and machine learning, to mechanical design and development through iteration.

Akram Hussein, Smartibot software lead, said  “What I love about Smartibot is it allows me share my love of technology and machine learning with my young nephews in a way that is both fun but educational. I’m hopefully they will be excited to pursue STEM careers and believe Smartibot is just the right level to get them started in learning how robots and programming work.”

About The Crafty Robot

The Crafty Robot is a technology education brand, founded by Ross Atkin that has manufactured and sold cardboard robots since 2015 when it was successfully Kickstarted and delivered to over 1,600 backers.

Ross, a London based designer and engineer specialising in internet of things and smart city products, and is part of a team of eight inventors who create one off pieces of technology to solve problems for disabled individuals in the primetime BBC2 TV program ‘The Big Life Fix’.

The Crafty Robot is focused on allowing people to get creative with technology in the most fun and accessible ways possible.

LEGO Ideas Voltron – der grösste LEGO Roboter aller Zeiten

Fünf mächtige Löwen vereinen sich, die Plasma-Düsen werden aktiviert, und der neue LEGO Ideas Voltron“ entsteht

Mit dem neuesten LEGO Ideas Set „Voltron“ werden Fans zu einem Paladin und verteidigen das Universum. Dieses riesige Set stellt die Hauptfigur aus der klassischen 80er-Jahre-Zeichentrickserie „Voltron“ dar und ist der größte baubare LEGO Mech aller Zeiten.

Sobald die fünf brüllenden Löwen aufgebaut sind, können sie getrennt aufgestellt oder aber kombiniert werden, um so den hoch aufragenden Roboter zu bauen, der in der klassischen Zeichentrickserie „Voltron“ das Universum verteidigt. Das neueste LEGO Ideas Set ist ab dem 23. Juli 2018 exklusiv in allen LEGO Stores und im LEGO Online Shop unter shop.LEGO.com erhältlich – mit aktivierten Luftschleusen, verbundenem Dynotherm, gestarteten Infrazellen und Plasma-Düsen.

Mit diesem LEGO Ideas Set Voltron können sich Fans zurück in die 80er-Jahre katapultieren – das Zeitalter der Superroboter. Für Voltron haben die Fans abgestimmt, und das Set wird so zur neuesten von Fans eingereichten Idee, die es in die Herstellung schafft. Mit 2.321 Teilen ist es das größte LEGO Ideas Set aller Zeiten.

Das Modell ist imposante 40 cm hoch, 14 cm lang und 21 cm breit. Mit den beweglichen Teilen können spannende Szenen aus der ursprünglichen 80er-Jahre-Serie nachgespielt werden. Fans nehmen die Rolle von Keith ein und führen den „legendären Verteidiger“ Voltron in die Auseinandersetzung gegen König Zarkon.

Das Set besteht aus fünf baubaren und beweglichen Löwen mit speziell entwickelten, besonders robusten Gelenken, die kombiniert werden, um so den Voltron-Superroboter zu schaffen. Vier Löwen bilden zusammen die Arme und Beine, bevor der mächtige schwarze Löwe hinzugefügt und so der Oberkörper und der Kopf von Voltron fertiggestellt werden. Sobald das beeindruckende Schwert sowie der entsprechende Schild am Modell befestigt sind, ist dieser Superroboter vollständig.

Das LEGO Ideas Set Voltron bietet LEGO Fans eine nostalgische Erfahrung und gleichzeitig ein lohnenswertes Bauerlebnis voller Spaß. Im Set enthalten sind Informationen zum Fan-Designer des Modells wie auch zur Superkraft der LEGO Ideas Designer, die diese Idee zum Leben erweckt haben.

Erhältlich direkt in LEGO Stores und online ab dem 23. Juli 2018.
www.shop.lego.com/voltron
Unverbindliche Preisempfehlung: 179,99 EUR

Segway Robotics Defines the Future of Mobile Robots with Loomo

San Francisco, California – March 6, 2018Segway Robotics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Segway-Ninebot Group, is proud to launch Loomo, a smart machine that toggles between a mini personal transporter and mobile robot sidekick. Loomo is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo today, with limited early bird pricing starting at $1299.

Loomo will launch with a core set of foundational features, with more capabilities unlocked over time through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Out of the box, you can ride Loomo as a mini transporter, let it follow you autonomously as a robot sidekick, or show off Loomo’s playful personality to your friends. Loomo also comes with a free Android-based SDK for professional developers and enthusiasts alike to build on top of our mobility + AI platform.

 

Loomo’s key features include:

 

  • Self-Balancing Transporter: Smooth ride experience across most terrain types, with speeds of up to 11 MPH, and the capacity to cover 22 miles in one charge; a voice-based tutorial allows anyone to learn how to ride Loomo in mere minutes
  • Auto-Follow Expert: With advanced computer vision, Loomo can follow you autonomously, shoot stabilized video, and more
  • Avatar: Use your smartphone as a remote control to access all of Loomo’s capabilities – see, speak, interact, and explore as if you are Loomo
  • Friendly & Expressive Personality: Powered by its emotion engine, Loomo’s lovable nature and lighthearted expressions will cheer you up and impress everyone around you
  • Multiple Control Methods: You can control Loomo via your smartphone app, voice command, gestures and touch sensors
  • New Skills Unlocked Over-the-Air (OTA): Loomo will continuously update its software and app OTA to include new features
  • Free Loomo Android SDK for developers: Directly access Loomo’s mobility and AI capabilities to build a range of playful features or practical solutions

 

“Segway-Ninebot has already put millions of wheels on the ground that cover 180 million kilometers each year. But what happens if you combine Segway’s proven mobility technology with cutting-edge AI? Well say hello to Loomo,” said Li Pu, President of Segway Robotics.  “For many, Loomo is a reflection of our movie fantasies growing up… it embodies our vision of how mobile personal robots can become a part of our everyday lives.”

The Loomo Indiegogo campaign launches March 6, 2018. Limited early bird pricing will be set at $1299. The basic pack includes 1 Loomo, 1 AC/DC adapter, 1 extended air tap, and 1 USB 3.0 Type-C cable. Loomo will begin shipping to backers in May 2018.

About Segway Robotics

Segway Robotics is a privately held company that focuses on developing and commercializing personal robots. Founded in 2015, it is fully owned by Segway-Ninebot Group, a Series C company. The company has notable backers including the likes of Sequoia Capital, Intel Capital and Xiaomi.

To find out more about Segway Robotics: http://www.segwayrobotics.com/

Peddy, the World’s First Multi-Functional Robot for Pets, Launches on Kickstarter

Peddy, an amiable and innovative robot that provides pets with nourishment and care, is now available on Kickstarter. With its various features and friendly design, Peddy, the conjunction of the words “pet” and “buddy”, makes a great companion for all pets. Peddy is perfectly designed for busy owners who cannot consistently be with their pets because of work and other obligations. Many of its features are designed for pets to thrive even in the temporary absence of their owners. The real-time two-way video call function enables communication between pets and theirs owners anytime and anywhere.

“We created Peddy, so owners would not have to constantly worry about their pets upon leaving the house,” said Founder and Ceo James Choi. “With the autoplay mode, Peddy can be automated to move, monitor the house, play with your pet, feed your pet, help your pet exercise and display your pet’s favorite live or recorded content on the tablet screen.”

When pet owners spend the day away from their pets or go on vacations, they typically opt to either leave their pets at home alone or hire petsitters. With Peddy, owners can be assured that their pet is fed, entertained and well-cared for at all times. With the automatic food dispenser, the user’s pet will be fed at a scheduled regimen and with the auto play mode, pets can enjoy the video and photo playback displayed on the screen.

Peddy comes with an easy-to-use mobile application and tablet that enable all of its features, such as feeding, monitoring and video-calling. The robot itself is shaped like a small dog and includes a space for the tablet to serve as the display screen. Peddy is equipped with two wheels, which allow it to move on its own at various speeds. With its movement ability, Peddy can take photos from multiple angles in the case of an emergency in the home and can send the pictures directly to the user’s smartphone.

Peddy’s features include:

  • Two-way video call: Real-time communication and face-to-face interaction between pets and their owners
  • Autoplay: Automated playtime to promote exercise and a selection of photos and videos for entertainment
  • Home security: Two wheels and four ultrasonic wave sensors to enable movement and monitoring of the home through real-time video
  • Play video/music: A television screen that plays videos, music, photos, content and personalized recordings
  • Durability: A curve-shaped feature, cushion and stable design to protect Peddy from external impact
  • Smart food dispenser: Scheduled automatic feeding and manual feeding functions

Pre-order of Peddy is now available through the product’s Kickstarter page (http://kck.st/2zF6D4Z) , and it is a consumer-ready product with positive reviews. During the campaign, Peddy can be purchased for $279 USD as the Super Early Bird price, $299 USD as the Early Bird price and $319 as the Regular price. When the campaign funding goal is achieved, the company anticipates manufacturing and delivery to be complete in March of 2018.

About Peddy
Peddy is a California-based startup developing premium user-friendly products dedicated to enhancing the lives of pets. The products are designed and developed in Newport Beach, California and are manufactured in Seoul, Korea. Peddy was founded by a team of experts and engineers who are committed to producing new IoT technologies for pets and their owners. More information can be found at their website: http://peddylook.com/.

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/

 

 

The first Mars rover designed for Earth

After several years of working on Mars rover prototypes, a team of four engineers decided to launch their own company and their own product.

Turtle Rover – as this is how they named their newest baby – is a remotely controlled four-wheeled robot designed for Earth exploration.

The rover is designed to drive anywhere you’d prefer not to go alone. Its architecture allows to attach cameras, sensors and your own electronic modules to its body, so you can easily configure it to your own needs. Tweak the inner RaspberryPi with your own code and fit your own electronics inside the rover watertight storage case.

As the rover is designed to drive on land, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that it allows for more predictable and longer use than drones.

With its on-board camera, Mars-rover suspension and enough power to keep your phone on for a month, it’s you who will be exhausted first, not the rover.

Attach it to your backpack and go to the mountains to explore caves in places no one explored yet. Find old ruins and inspect them with no worry of being stuck in tight passages. Go home and have fun with an open-source code in the soul of the robot to find out how to extend its functionality to the borders.

Turtle Rover is available on Kickstarter since 22 August 2017.

The special Kickstarter edition will be available with extra robotic arm attached starting at a price $1597.

See more at:

www.turtlerover.com

www.facebook.com/TurtleRover

 

Sony Global Education Launches an Indiegogo Campaign for KOOV, a Coding and Robotics Kit for the Next Generation of Young Innovators

SAN DIEGO, CA (June 20, 2017) – Sony Electronics in conjunction with Sony Global Education announced today the launch of a limited Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for KOOV, a new coding and robotics kit for the next generation of young innovators.

The Sony Global Education team developed KOOV as a fresh approach to learning robotics and programming. KOOV is already available in Japan and China, and Sony is now looking to expand the program to the US in order to gain feedback and insight into the American market.

KOOV is a robotics and coding educational kit made up of blocks, sensors, motors, actuators, and a companion app that teaches children core concepts about design, coding and robotics. The app also features a secure social space, where children can share their designs and code with other young inventors from around the world.

The blocks can be assembled into any shape, with the final figure capable of being controlled as a robot. The kit encourages learners to „Play“ by building with 7 kinds of translucent blocks, „Code“ by controlling the assembled figure through the KOOV app, and „Create“ by embracing their creativity and imagination.

Sony Global Education believes that the teaching materials for robotics and programming will play a major role in cultivating STEM literacy and nurturing the next generation of problem solvers.

KOOV was built on the belief that STEM learning tools should be accessible to all children. Through the use of inclusive colors, shareable design and the goal of building a foundation for future STEM learning, Sony hopes to attract parents of children 8 to 14 years old, with equal emphasis on boys and girls.

Pre-orders are available for a limited time beginning June 20th via an Indiegogo, with product scheduled to ship to backers in early December. The suggested retail price is $359 for the Starter Kit and $499 for the Advanced Kit with limited quantities available at discounts of up to 40% for early backers. Interested consumers can learn more about KOOV, and place preorders at https://igg.me/at/KOOV.