We have heard to the point of exhaustion that the world needs more programmers, and that all educational platforms should incorporate the necessary resources so that the next generation can read and write code with greater ease. The material available on the web is quite extensive, however, programming would be much more didactic if the youngest have the possibility of seeing and touching what they have done. That is when Mirobot intervenes, a robot to assemble, program, and draw.
A Lesson from Logo's Tortoise
The first time I faced a computer was exploring Logo, and one of my first “programming errors” made the turtle (nicknamed “Melisa” by the whole class) get lost in an infinite spiral. It's true that I learned a lot over the years, but the way Melisa vanished from the screen I'll never forget. Now, let's imagine for a moment that the turtle is a robot spinning like crazy. The class probably would have exploded in laughter, but that error would be one of the best you can make: Entertaining, and full of lessons. Today, most platforms that seek to guide the youngest at home toward programming rely on video games, puzzles, and adventures, but it would be crazy to ignore the potential of robotics. There is very affordable hardware, and very easy to program. What we need is to combine all the elements in the right way.
Meet Mirobot
That's how we find Mirobot. Laser-cut pieces, some sensors, a bit of Arduino, batteries, and a marker. Mirobot is incredibly simple, but from that position it manages to stimulate three fundamental points. Users will have to assemble each Mirobot on their own, which helps them better understand how it works. Then, programming is done through any web browser, thanks to the robot's WiFi connectivity. Finally, we come to drawing: Every single order that Mirobot receives is recorded on paper, whether it's a work of art or an accidental doodle. Mirobot is completely open source, so it's possible to modify all the elements that compose it.
Pricing and Availability
Mirobot had a humble journey on Kickstarter, and managed to raise just over seven thousand pounds sterling. Those who wish to buy a robot have three options: The first version at 35 pounds, the electronic components at 20 pounds, and the pre-order of the second version (available in November of this year), which goes up to 50 pounds.
