Robots and kids go together likebacon and eggs, peaches and

cream, resistors and capacitors.Thanks to low-cost construction kits— and not to mention popularmovies that glamorize automatons — more and more children areexploring the world of robots.

And that’s not a bad thing.Robotics encompasses multiple disciplines, including mechanicalengineering, software programming, electronics, evenhuman psychology. In all, it’s agreat field to be interested in,because there are so many optionsfor further study and exploration.

In this column, we’ll reviewsome of the kits, books, and othermaterial available that are eitherexpressly designed to motivatechildren in learning about robotics,or are readily adaptable to a child-age audience because of theirdesign, support documentation, or other features.

Let’s Make a Robot!Building a robot can be a time-

consuming affair, requiring hours ofsawing, drilling, grinding, soldering,and programming. Many kids simplydon’t have the attention span towait that long before seeing results,so for the typical child a ready-to-gokit is the best option. Ideally, the kitshould include all the mechanicaland electronic components to makea functional robot capable of at least

rudimentary actions, such as reactingto light or following a black line on awhite piece of paper. Fortunately,there are many such kits available, atprices starting at about $20. Ofcourse, the more sophisticated therobot and its abilities, the more therobot will cost.

At the lower end of the scale isthe single-function kit, requiring atleast mechanical assembly. By “single-function,” it means just that.These ‘bots are made to do one thing and encompass no intelligence or programming. Forexample, the robot may merelyreact to sound, or follow a line. The OWI-9910 Weasel is an example. Two photo detectors onthe underside of the robot detect aline drawn on the ground and twotouch switches on its body give it a simple obstacle avoidance mechanism.

Some robot kits are designed forremote control by a human. Theleast expensive of this breed uses awired tether. You steer the robot byflicking a set of switches. Forinstance, there’s the OWI-9280Soccer Pro kit. It’s a simple wheel-based vehicle with a two switchwired remote. With a couple ofthese, your child and a friend canplay miniature robotic soccer, pushing a ball around a small field.

There are many other single-function robot kits, and the OWIproduct line is perhaps the mostcomplete in this category. The kits

are available from several retailers (a couple of the main online storesare listed in the Sources), and aregrouped by skill level. These basicmechanical-only kits comprise theleast expensive of the lot. Next, arethe kits that require electronics ofsome kind come with complete andready-to-go circuit boards, though afew models are available with theelectronics also in kit form. These arehandy for learning about solderingand electronics construction.

For purely mechanical construction, there’s the roboticsand educational products fromTamiya. Most of these are notfound in local area hobby stores,but are common enough online,especially from robotics-specificretailers. We provide a short list ofsources for these, as well.

Next up the ladder are fullyprogrammable kits (typical pricerange is $120-$175), where youdevelop and download a script forthe robot’s action from a personalcomputer. Once programmed, therobot is self-sufficient andautonomous. Probably the mostwell-known kit of this type is theParallax BOE-Bot ($160), which consists of a metal chassis andhardware, twin servo motors andwheels, and an already-assembledelectronics board (the BOE Board),complete with the Parallax BASICStamp microcontroller.

The BOE Board is connected toa host computer via serial or USB.

Getting Kidsinto Robotics

Tune in each month for a heads-up onwhere to get all of your “roboticsresources” for the best prices!

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The programming environment isincluded free of charge, and thereare plenty of coding examples to getyou started. The BOE-Bot documen-tation is extensive, and the nature ofthe programming language used bythe BASIC Stamp makes it well-suitedfor middle school and higher students.

Other options exist, of course. A relative newcomer is the OOBug,from the makers of the OOPic microcontroller. The OOBug ($160)consists of an assembled circuit boardupon which motors and a clear plasticbody are mounted. Assembly time isunder 15 minutes. Whereas opticalsensors for such tasks as line following or object detection areoften extra on other programmablekits, they’re standard on the OOBug,and ready for use.

Like the BOE-Bot, the OOBug isprogrammed via a computer link(specifically a USB cable), and theprogramming environment is included free of charge. The OOBugfurther differentiates itself by supporting music, sound, and speecheffects, as well as “social” robotics,where robots may be programmedto interact with one another, as well

as the environment.Finally, for lack of a better term,

“learning system” kits encompassthose that provide more than onepossible robot design. The LEGOMindstorms NXT and Vex kits areexcellent examples. At the core of thekit is a self-contained microcontrollermodule, which provides for program-ming the robot. Connection to a hostPC is done via serial, USB, and — inthe case of older model Mindstormskits — infrared link. Motors and sen-sors connect to the microcontrollermodule in various arrangements, giving flexibility in design.

Then, using plastic or metalparts, you build the robot chassis,either by snapping pieces together(as with LEGO) or assembling theparts using metal or plastic fasteners. In either case, you cancompletely disassemble your creation so you can reuse all thecomponents again. Learning systemkits encourage a greater degree ofdesign experimentation, and areparticularly well-suited for kids whoare mechanically inclined.

Other learning system kitsinclude Fischertechnik, K-NEX,

Capsela, and Erector.

Sources Construction Toyswww.constructiontoys.com

Online and local retailer of construction toys. These toys are available both online and in the retailstore: Capsela; Eitech; Erector;Fischertechnik; Geofix; Geomag;K’NEX; LEGO Dacta; Roger’sConnection; Rhomblocks; Rokenbok;Zome System.

e-Hobbylande-hobbyland.com

Well-established retail and onlineseller of all types of toys.

Elenco Electronicswww.elenco.com

Offers a line of educational electronics and robotics products,including novel “snap-together” kitsideal for younger children.

Fischertechnikwww.fischertechnik.com

Company website forFischertechnik in North America.Check out the Retail Outlets links.

Hobby Engineeringwww.hobbyengineering.com

General source for robot parts, as well as a lengthy list of Erector setkits of all shapes and sizes.

HVW Techwww.hvwtech.com

Hobby electronics retailer inCanada also resells a number of popular robot kits, including productsfrom Parallax.

Jameco Robot Storewww.robotstore.com

Reseller of a number of robotkits, including the Tamiya remote controlled robot construction set.

KBtoys.comwww.kbtoys.com

Online mail order. Check oftenfor deep discounts on LEGO,

The Jameco Robot Store sells a number of ready-to-go andkit products ideal for student use.

K’NEX, and other brands.

LEGO Shop-at-Homeshop.lego.com

Online outlet for LEGO products, including spare parts(when available).

LEGO Mindstormsmindstorms.lego.com

Informational page for the LEGOMindstorms sets. Be sure to check outthe user-to-user forums to see whatother LEGO builders are up to.

Junun.orgwww.junun.org/MarkIII/

Resellers of the Mark III miniSumo robot kit, originally designedby the Portland Area RoboticsSociety (PARTS) for mini Sumocompetitions. The kit includes allhardware, motors, wheels, andelectronics. The website also sellslow-cost sensors, such as the SharpIR proximity modules, and varioussupport electronics common inamateur robotics.

Machine Sciencewww.machinescience.com

Offers an expandable metal robotbase, which includes motors, wheels,microcontroller, and other electronics.

Norland Researchwww.smallrobot.com

Kit of parts for turning a TexasInstruments scientific calculator intoa robot.

OOBugwww.oobug.com

Entry-level “deskpet” robot kit.The OOBug differentiates itself in that it is designed to build cooperative or social robots, able tocommunicate and share informationbetween each other.

Only Toyswww.onlytoys.com

Only Toys carries metal Erectorsets; most are for building vehicles, and some (like the SteamEngine) are quite elaborate. The

company also sells Rokenbok radiocontrolled toys.

OWI Robotswww.owirobots.com

Importer of the OWI robot line ofeducational robotics.

Parallaxwww.parallax.com

In addition to microcontrollerssuch as the BASIC Stamp, Parallaxoffers numerous robot kits, including the BOE-Bot (wheeled) and Penguin (walking). Also offersrobot components, such as wheels,servos, and sensors.

Pololuwww.pololu.com

Makers of small plastic robotbases designed for use with Tamiyamotors. Also sells servos, wheels,and treads and sprockets for building tracked robots, as well assensors, microcontrollers, and otherelectronics.

qfixqfix-shop.de

German-based manufacturer andseller of small robot kits for education.Website is in Deutsch and English.

RB Roboticswww.rbrobotics.com

New owners of the RB5X educa-tional robot. As noted on the website,“The RB5X robot has been producedfor over 20 years. With a proven track record and a developed set of teaching aids, it is a great choice for any classroom.” Full kits and individual parts available.

Robixwww.robix.com

Aluminum robot kits, primarilydesigned for educational use. The aluminum pieces and servos can beconstructed in numerous ways tomake a variety of robotic forms.

Robotiswww.robotis.com

Manufacturer’s site for the

Robotis line of robot construction setsand parts. Check out the dealerpages to find a reseller near you.

Robotshopwww.robotshop.cawww.robotshop.com

Resellers of Fischertechnik andother robot construction sets.

Robot Kits Directrobotikitsdirect.com

Plastic robot kits in various skilllevels, from beginner to advanced. An example is the OWI-9910 Weasel,which combines touch sensing and abasic wall hugging behavior.

Solarboticswww.solarbotics.com

Primary retailer of BEAM robots— a “simple is better” approach todesign. Products include variouslight-attracted bugs and walkingrobot kits, motors, solar cells, andelectronics.

Tamiyawww.tamiya.com

Home page for Tamiya. Checkout their Educational ConstructionSeries line of kits, such as the remotecontrolled robot construction set. Noonline ordering, but you can use theproduct listing to see what’s available.

Timberdoodlewww.timberdoodle.com

Timberdoodle specializes in homeeducation products. They offer agood selection of Fischertechnik kitsat good prices. Also sells K’NEX andelectronics learning labs. Be sure tocheck their “swan gong” closeoutdeals.

VexLabs Vex Robotics Kitswww.vexlabs.com

Makers of the VEX RoboticsDesign System. Use their online ordering system. SV

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Gordon McComb can be reached viaemail at robots@robotoid.com

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