David Greenbaum, Mayor of Robot Village, wrote the
following article for the Robot Village newsletter. Robot Village® in New York
City is a place where kids and robots meet, offering robotic products and
services that cater to the new robot generation.
1. Why should I buy a child a robot?
Robots are
a great way to introduce children to the world of hands-on technology and teach
them about the basic concepts of robotics, which can include learning about
motors, sensors, circuitry and programming. Additionally, building a robot can
enhance development of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Understanding these basic concepts can potentially lead your child on a road to
an exciting career path.
Of course, robots can also be bought for art or collectible value, however,
we will not discuss these types in the following answers.
2. What types of robots are available?
For
simplicity, we will separate robots into two categories; those that are
ready-to-use right out of the box and those that require building.
Ready-to-use robots:
These robots are powered by
batteries, can be spring-wound or even solar powered. They may operate on their
own, through a remote control or by sensors that respond to sound, touch or
motion. Some ready-to-use robots also offer programmable features.
Robot building kits:
These robots are generally operated
the same way as the ready-to-use robots except they come unassembled and must be
built by the user through step-by-step building instructions and the use of any
required tools.
3. What educational value do these robots
provide?
Both can offer children a great educational
experience, however, there are some differences.
Ready-to-use robots offer children instant gratification by performing some
type of action such as lighting up, dancing, reacting with sensors, or firing
disks. Although they offer a certain amount of play value, they lack the
hands-on experience that a building kit can offer. However, ready-to-use robots
that employ programming features challenge a child to create programs in order
to make the robot function.
Building a robot gives a child a different set of challenges that include
following directions, staying focused, and using hand tools. Many robot building
kits are designed to be built one way only. However, some kits offer more
flexibility in that they can be taken apart and rebuilt in as many ways as your
child can imagine, leading to a more diverse experience. Additionally, some
robot building kits include programming features, which can prepare your child
for the exciting world of programming!
4. What robot is appropriate for my
child?
Ready-to-use robots provide entertainment and enjoyment
that can easily be shared with friends. Once a child has graduated from the
play value, they can move to the next level with a ready-to-use robot that
offers programming functions.
For the child who enjoys hands on activities, we recommend starting with a
simple robot kit. After they master the basics, you can introduce them to the
more advanced levels. Keep in mind that if a kit is too simple, they might get
bored and if it’s too complicated, they might become frustrated. Remember,
words of encouragement can go a long way!
Both ready-to-use robots and robot kits can be matched to different needs.
Remember, you can think outside the BOT! For example, a parent who thinks their
child does not posses great building skills should stick with programming. On
the other hand, perhaps a building kit may actually help them get started into
the world of building.
5. How long does it take to build a robot?
Depending on the robot kit, some robots can take as little as
a half hour to build, while other more complex kits containing more parts can
take as much as 4-5 hours. If the child does not complete the robot in one
session, be sure to safely store all the remaining parts in a container so that
they do not get lost. In the few cases where the use of glue is required,
overall building time may take slightly longer to allow time for drying. There
are also kits that can be rebuilt in many ways, which means the building process
can last as long as the child’s creativity continues.
It is recommended that an adult set up the child for any robot building
experience and if necessary, provide guidance along the way. Where hand tools
are needed, adult supervision is recommended until the child becomes proficient
in working with tools.
6. What's the best age to start building or programming robots?
Our experience has shown that with the help of an adult,
children as young as five years old can start building robots. Of course, these
will be the most basic of robot kits, but the finished product will surely make
a fun companion or a great show-and-tell project! For programming, kids around
eight years old can begin by using simple, graphical software programs. With
this simple software, kids can easily drag-and-drop graphic images on a computer
screen to create basic programs. As kids advance, they will begin to learn how
to use more sophisticated programming languages.
7. Do I need a computer to do
programming?
While some robot kits come pre-programmed with
specific movement or motion sensors, etc., other kits offer the ability to
create and download additional programs that will require a computer. Be sure
to ask about compatibility when purchasing a robot that requires a computer
because almost all robot kits work with PC – but not all work with a MAC.
8. Can I make my own robot from scratch?
Yes,
of course, you can make your own robot from scratch, however, if you want to
make a robot that is not just a piece of art, there are some basic questions
that need to be answered first, such as: What do I want my robot to do? How big
do I want my robot to be? Will it have sensors? If so, how will they be wired?
Do I have the tools necessary to build my robot?
Unlike a car that has four wheels and moves forwards and backwards, a robot
can be anything a child can imagine! There are no rules on how a robot should be
built, which is what can make it so exciting. On the flipside, without a plan,
you might end up wasting money on parts and pieces that do not work together.
Therefore, we recommend you start by reading books such as, “Robot Building For
Dummies” that cover the basics of robotics since there are many elements to
consider.
9. Are special tools needed?
If you’re building
a robot kit, it generally specifies what tools are needed on the box or in the
directions. Tools required for robot building can include a screwdriver (either
flat head or Phillips-head) and pliers. Sometimes an X-acto knife or diagonal
wire cutters for cutting plastic parts and pieces out of the frame are needed,
which is why we recommend parental supervision for certain kits.
Note that if you are building your own robot from scratch, you might need
larger tools such as a drill for making holes or a saw for cutting pieces. In
the case of buying a robot kit that is complete, all the pieces should be ready
to use.
10. How much do these robots cost?
Although some can exceed as much as $1,000, most ready-to-use robots or robot
kits generally range from $10 to $350.
-- Copyright 2007 Robot Village, NY. Reprint with
permission only. --