Creators at Evollve Inc. announced the launch of the next-generation of Ozobot minirobots at CE Week 2015 in New York City on Wednesday.
Ozobot is a minirobot that identifies color and patterns on paper or on a tablet, which allows it to read and follow directions. The robot makes learning logic, programming and reasoning skills a fun gaming experience.
"Ozobot is a programmable robot that is designed to gamify STEM and computer science by taking the words 'difficult' and 'boring' out of those two disciplines, making them more accessible to kids everywhere," said Evollve CEO Nader Hamda in an interview with Tech Times.
Because the robot can identify color, the company has been able to create a robot that can associate color sequences with commands.
"Kids even at a kindergarten level get to realize that they can actually control a robot's movement and behavior throughout color patterns," Hamda said.
After young kids master these skills, they graduate into learning how to think critically through mission-based activities in which they have to use problem-solving skills to get Ozobot from point A to point B.
"Once they understand these critical-thinking skills, they then go on to learn block-based programming language, which is our most recent Ozobot that we are launching at this show," Hamda explained.
Evollve showcased the latest Ozobot called Ozobot Bit, which features the programming language called Ozo Blocky. Blocky is a drop-and-drag editor for the web, iOS and Android.
"Kids get to program the minirobot to do whatever they want it to do, and then see their program executed in real life through the robot," Hamda said.
The program is based on Google's Blocky, similar to other programming editors like Scratch or App Inventor. The program is a digital version of brick-building toys.
After setting commands, the user places the minirobot directly onto the computer screen or on a tablet in its designated spot to load commands without the use of cables or Bluetooth technology.
Kids can learn more advanced features like math skills in five levels from Newbie to Master, which make it a fun challenge to learn block-building programming. The Ozobot Bit is for children ages 8 and older, and will be offered exclusively through Amazon in July for $59.99.
An Ozobot Starter Pack for ages 6 and up will be available at Toys "R" Us and Barnes & Noble in September.
CE Week 2015's consumer electronics and and technology exhibits run through Thursday in New York City. More than 175 participating companies showcased what's new, with a program of over 35 conference sessions, keynotes and workshops, at the Metropolitan Pavilion/Altman Building.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
