favorite bit– control the unit with your smartphone app for games and even some BattleBots style melee fun. I can only imagine the incredible things that a classroom full of these little guys can do. If I were a science/technology educator I would love to have access to these little guys.
And yet you can do even more than all that! The chassis that the mBot sits on is compatible with additional Makeblock parts, as well as with LEGO parts. All of this makes for some really inventive experimentation and lets the mBot grow with you. Couple that with being able to add-on and connect with various Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards means the options for new builds is only limited to your imagination. I’d love to get a screen installed on top and figure out voice communication that way I’d never have to physically attend a meeting again! The real magic of the mBot is that it was completely funded through Kickstarter, blowing away its $20,000 goal by hitting $285,463 by its end. This is clearly something people really want, and after getting to play around with a unit over the past week I can see why. And for a suggested price of only $49, this is one robot that everyone can enjoy. Head over the their website (http://mblock.cc/)to find out more about the mBot and on how you can snag one for yourself.