UBTECH Robotics has launched a new line of Jimu Robot kits designed to enhance the STEM skills and interest of kids ages 8-14. The Buzzbot and Muttbot Kit, Explorer Kit and Inventor Kit allow kids to build robots such as penguins, rhinos, elephants and humanoids. The programming is done with Blockly code in the companion Jimu Robot App.
There’s also an online Jimu community, UBTECH says, where kids can share their creations and check out what other users have created. There will be instructions on how to build, program and control Jimu Robots in both the online community and app.
Here’s more on each of the kits, which will be available at select retailers and on Amazon.com:
Buzzbot and Muttbot Kit: At $149.99, this kits comes with everything needed to build the Buzzbot or Muttbot robots, including six servo motors and 271 snap-together interlocking parts and connectors.
Explorer Kit: At $199.99, this kit lets kids build five robots – a baby, parrot, penguin, T-Rex, and walrus. The kit includes seven servo motors and 372 snap-together interlocking parts and connectors.
Inventor Kit: At $399.99, this is the most advanced kit in the Jimu Robots line. It allows kids to build six robots – elephant, giraffe, humanoid, mantis, rhino, and wolf – includes sixteen servo motors and 675 snap-together interlocking parts and connectors.
The Jimu Robots kits include a main control box and a lithium ion battery and adapter. All Jimu Robot parts are interchangeable with other Jimu sets, so kids can really mix and match their own creations.
UBTECH, of course, raised $1,401,035 – 1304% of the orignial $100,000 goal – for its Alpha 2 humanoid robot on Indiegogo in December 2015. Alpha 2 has legs to move around and 20 servo motors that bend its joints. Alpha 2 is designed to be your personal dance partner, DJ, singer, yoga and workout instructor and more.
Unfortunately, the company released an update two days ago on its Indiegogo page saying the shipping date for Alpha 2 has been delayed. “During the last stages of testing, we found areas we could improve on such as making Alpha 2’s actions more accurate and adding more content for a greater user experience. Due to these enhancements and modifications, we have delayed their shipment.”
UBTECH didn’t specify a new timetable for Alpha 2’s shipment, simply saying it will ship to backers when the final tests are complete.
