Gadget of the Month - January 2017

Educational robots aren’t just for Christmas.

Go back a decade and the choice between construction and mechanical toys was limited to Meccano and Lego Technic. These brands have developed and modernised, but the increasing need to inspire kids to study STEM subjects has seen the number of educational robots on the market grow considerably.

The mBot is one of the more well-established educational robots available, and it’s a comprehensive package, with clear instructions and a good range of applications and add-ons. Originally the product of an online Kickstarter initiative to raise funds for its manufacture in 2015, the mBot is now in its second version. It has been given a protective casing and a better wheel for improved movement.

The mBot is made by the Chinese company Makeblock, but you should not let pre conceptions about quality deter you from a purchase. The 40 or so components all worked out of the box, and the controls and the smartphone interface operated effectively.

The robot is reasonably easy to assemble, although younger children will need to work with an adult because some of the components are fiddly to fit. The manufacturer says the toy is suitable for those aged between six and 18 years.

Once assembled and with the required batteries in place, there are several pre-installed programs that run, including obstacle avoidance, line following and remote control. The robot runs off an Arduino Uno micro controller and can be programmed using a graphical language called Scratch 2.0 that can be downloaded alongside tutorials from the internet. This is where older children with a stronger interest in engineering are able to tinker further with the robot. There is also a range of add-ons and mechanical components to broaden the number of possible applications.

Priced at around £80, the mBot isn’t a spur-of-the-moment purchase as a toy. But if you know or have children that you believe may be interested in engineering, it is a great option that will encourage that interest for longer than the initial Christmas holiday or birthday period.