Robot kits come to SA

Young engineers’ dreams to create, programme and control their own robotic creations are about to come true as Gammatek will distribute robot kits from Ubtech Robotics.

Robot kits available to South Africa include Alpha1 Pro, a household programmable humanoid robot that can be used for education and entertainment, and Jimu Robot, an interactive robotic building block system that lets kids easily build, programme and share their robot creations.

Gammatek’s Zev Cherniak says: “These are the robots that youngsters dream of. Suitable for children as young as age, and upwards, these interactive robot building kits go beyond pure play and also challenge our perception of educational toys. While stimulating creativity and imagination, Ubtech Robotics building kits encourage critical thinking, problem solving, three dimensional engineering and collaboration. The possibilities are quite simply endless.”

Says sales executive Andy Chen, “The UBTECH Alpha1 Pro Humanoid Robot is a household programmable humanoid robot that is both educational and entertaining. Alpha1 Pro has 16 high-precision robotic servo motors, making him capable of reproducing human movements. Able to do push-ups, choreograph, even make kung-fu moves; no human movement is out of its reach. Each robotic servo can rotate at a given speed, allowing him to perform precise movements.”

Youngsters can dance with him, play sports with this new fitness coach, sing along with him or teach him to tell stories. With Bluetooth 4.0, Alpha1 Pro connects to the mobile app, available on iOS and Android, which allows users to control and programme their robot. Using the app, players can control up to five robots via a smartphone or tablet.

With the programming PRP (Pose, Record and Playback) functionality, youngsters save new movements by moving Alpha1 Pro manually and launching the recording option. They can then edit the speed of every move, giving them the freedom of creation and endless editing possibilities.

Youngsters can also personalize their robot’s movements using the Alpha Robot programming software, available on Windows and Mac operating systems. With the intuitive 3D interface, they can select the robotic servo; select the rotation angle; define speed of the movement and even add music or a voice clip.

Once finished, the sequence can be transferred onto the robot via a USB and launched via the mobile app. Another advantage of Alpha1 Pro is the community platform which allows users to download online actions edited by Ubtech or by other users of Alpha worldwide. Equipped with a built-in speaker, the robot facilitates learning of simplified programming, integrates the concept of balance and helps children to understand the mode of moving in space by breaking down each movement.

It’s suitable for young amateurs and beginners thanks to its “finger-friendly” structural design as well as eco-friendly and “shock resistant” materials.

Jimu Robot Kits use snap-together, interlocking parts and connectors which allow youngsters to build their own robots. Smooth motion robotic servo motors allow the robot to reproduce pre-set movements or movements programmed via the Jimu app available on available on iOS and Android. Jimu Robot Kits available in South Africa include the Jimu Mini Kit, Jimu Explorer and Jimu Tankbot Kits.

The Jimu Mini Kit comes with everything needed to build the MuzzBot, Ostrich or Bull robots and includes four smooth motion robotic servo motors and 253 snap-together interlocking parts and connectors. Explorer Kit comes with everything needed to build five models including a Baby, Parrot, Penguin, T-Rex, and Walrus. The kit includes seven smooth motion robotic servo motors and 561 snap-together interlocking parts and connectors.

All Jimu kits include a main control box and a lithium ion battery, adapter and feature:

·       Interchangeable Parts – All Jimu Robot parts are interchangeable with other Jimu sets, so after building the official models, you can create your own inventions by mixing with parts from any other set.

·       Robotic Servo Motors – The key to the Jimu Robots’ amazingly lifelike movements is the high-torque robotic servo motor, allowing for fluidity and stability when moving from one pose to another.

·       Jimu App – The free app provides easy-to-follow 3D-illustrated building instructions, pre-programmed actions, Pose-Record-Play and direct-servo programming, Blockly coding to sequence your actions, and an in-App “Joystick” remote to control your Jimu Robot in real time on your smart device. The app also serves as a portal to a closed online community of Jimu enthusiasts.

Jimu Robots were built from the ground up to specifically meet the needs of STEM curriculum:

·       Science (physics, electronics)

·       Technology (advanced motors, sensors)

·       Engineering (building & creating, software-hardware interface)

·       Math (geometry, balance and programming)

The robot kits will be available through an exclusive network of retail partners including Cellucity , Digicape , Incredible Connection, iStore , New World , Sandton Stationary and Print ,  Technomobi.co.za and Takealot.com.