Standing at just over an inch tall, Ozobot is one of the smallest robotic toys that you can buy today but don’t be fooled by his tiny stature, while he may be vertically challenged Ozobot boasts an impressive electronic brain under that cool transparent exterior.
Small and cute enough to appeal to children of all ages, Ozobot makes learning fun, inspiring a keen interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) which are of course the building blocks of modern day robotics, a discipline that will be much in demand in the future digital work place.
How Ozobot Works
Now let’s take a closer look at the Ozobot, they look like pretty simple gadgets but are actually extremely complex, Ozobots have a cool translucent look to them but the real magic happens at the bottom, that’s where the sensors are situated that allow Ozobot to pick up and detect a range of different colours, allowing the tiny robot to be coded but more of that later.
There are so many different ways that you can use Ozobot, our little robotic toy, so let’s start out with one of the simplest, that’s just by taking some marker pens and drawing lines on paper for Ozobot to follow, a little tip here the lines need to be fairly thick so that Ozobot can easily detect them.
So after you have drawn your lines you just turn the little robot toy on and pop him on the line, which he will follow and change colour relative to the colour of the line you have drawn. So you’re probably thinking ‘well that’s cool but really not that impressive, a little robot that changes colour as it moves over a line’ but there’s so much more you can do with Ozobot so let’s get into the codes and programming after this brief video demonstration.
Official Ozobot Video Demo
Programming Ozobot
As we have already mentioned Ozobot can detect and differentiate between different colours and by expanding on these colour codes the manufacturers of this fascinating little robot toy have created an easy to learn visual coding language which can control speed, direction, timers and counters, not to mention some really cool dance moves.
The new Ozobot Bit 2.0 has expanded these programming capabilities even further by incorporating Googles machine language Blockly into the equation.
For those not familiar with Blockly it is a visual block programming editor based on the Javascript library and the Ozobot version referred to as Ozoblockly allows children to programme Ozobot directly, starting with the simple novice toolbox, which is suitable even for pre-school children, rising up to the master mode with its advanced programming features.
Which Ozobot should I Buy?
The original Ozobot 1.0 was released just prior to Christmas 2014 by Evolve Inc but has now been discontinued by the manufacturers thanks to the release of the more advanced Ozobot Bit 2.0.
The original Ozobot can still be found at several online retailers at a reduced price but be warned this version cannot be upgraded to work with with the versatile Ozoblockly programming language.
For this reason alone the Artificial Brain recommends you purchase only the latest version to future proof your investment in the worlds smallest programmable robotic toy.
The versatile little robot can be purchased in a variety of different money saving packs, the most popular of which are outlined below.
Ozobot Bit 2.0 Single Pack
the little robot toy beginners set
The all new Ozobot Bit 2.0 is currently available in Cyrstal White or Titanium Black, be aware that the blue or red versions which are available in the Ozobot Starter Pack are a slightly older version which will require a paid upgrade to work with Ozoblockly, however if you don’t think Ozoblockly will be required or you intend to upgrade at a later date the Starter Pack does represent excellent value for money.
The Ozobot Bit 2.0 comes complete with carrying case, skin, and a charging cable with access to the Ozoblockly coding website and a free downloadable app suitable for the majority of iOS and Android Tablets, allowing for more advanced game play.
Ozobot Bit 2.0, Dual Pack
Here’s what you get in the dual pack:
- Two usb charging cables
- Two Ozobots, one black and one white
- Two different ‘skins’
- Two Ozobot storage/travel cases
Ozobot Bit 2.0 Dual Pack Video Review
the Ozobot in Education
The Ozobot STEM training program allows educators to create innovative and stimulating lesson plans based around core subjects such as science, programming and maths.
The little robot toy has already been put to work in classrooms around the world, with students learning sequential thinking, logical reasoning and basic coding concepts in a fun easy to understand way simply by introducing Ozobot into the learning process.
The Ozobot website provides comprehensive resources, including lesson plans, teacher guides and science workshop activities suitable for children of all ages.
There is also an Ozobot Classroom Kit available to buy from selected retailers, which includes eighteen Ozobots, a multi point charger, colour code marker pens, a bowling challenge game and much, much, more.
