Last week we got the chance to speak with Robotiky about their Kickstarter project. Robotiky is a small programmable toy robot that makes learning how to code simple, digestible and best of all fun! The team prototyped the idea using an mbed-enabled NXP LPC1768 prototyping board, and then transitioned to a full custom design using the mbed HDK for NXP LPC11U24 board based on an ARM Cortex-M0+. The hardware features a voltage convertor, extension port and sensors for speed bumps, light and line following.

One of the unique features of this special toy is the online tutorials that utilize drag and drop exercises to teach the basics of coding, from simple blocks to full code. In the tutorials after each level is completed you can download and run your program on the robot for immediate gratification and realization of what programming can actually create. This toy is aimed at elementary and primary school ages, but as an adult myself, I have to say I could not stop testing out all of the demo coding challenges until I completed each level!

This robot and online programing tutorial is the brainchild of John Ginger and Matt Screeton, alumni’s of Cambridge University. They currently have eight days left on their Kickstarter funding where you can get your own Robotiky for £99 and help them reach their goal. However there are limited spots at this funding level, so sign up for your Robot before the deal is up.