Sphero Mini-Car Robot Teaches Kids About the Basics of Computer Programming — Isn't It Too Cute?

Sphero, a known maker of robotic toys, launched a robotic toy car that hopes to help kids learn about the fundamentals of computer programming.

The robot, called indi, can be programmed by kids using a set of colored tiles, Gizmodo reported. The tiles will give instructions to the toy car. As such, various courses and mazes could be produced.

Users could also use its mobile app to program the toy car. In doing so, as Sphero aims, children will learn simple logic in solving problems.

Sphero indi: How Does It Work?

Indi detects the colored tiles through a sensor as it drives over them. In turn, the tiles could give different instructions to indi. For instance, the green tiles particularly tell the toy car to speed up. The pink tiles make the robot go left, while the purple tiles tell indi to stop and command it to celebrate.

There are other more tiles that kids could use to tell the car where to go.

The Verge reported that to challenge the players of indi, some cards will have a missing tile. Hence, the players need to think of a solution to help the car race to the goal. That's when the toy car helps the younger ages hone their logical skills.

Teaching Kids the Basics of Programming

According to the same report by Gizmodo, indi could help kids in learning pattern recognition and the concept of cause and effect, aside from developing problem-solving skills. The said skills are necessary in both robotics and engineering.

Aside from the complex concepts, children will also better identify colors as they play indi.

For example, the player will now have a clearer distinction of what the color green is--a concept that most kids learn in kindergarten, but can also be mastered by young minds at home through indi.

Helping Parents Reduce Screen Time

Indi works right out of the box with only the tile cards, unlike other similar robots, such the Sphero Mini or the bigger counterpart called Bolt, that need a tablet or phone to be operated.

So, it could be a big help to parents, as the pandemic has increased the screen time of their beloved children. It could be the best of both worlds. Kids could both play and learn without increasing smart gadget use.

How to Order indi?

As of now, Sphero's indi is only available via pre-order. The Verge reported that the shipping is estimated to start in September. The kit will include a car, a case, 15 challenge cards, and 20 tiles, and it will cost $125.

Schools or other groups could instead order a class set. It will be for eight students and would only cost $1200.

Also, Sphero is known to make "Star Wars" robot toys. But, unfortunately, it doesn't teach kids how to code.

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Written by Teejay Boris