Wonder Robot’s Dash For Sales
Some of this year’s new entries inti the programmable robotic toy market might lead to a surge on sales this Christmas.
Wonder Workshop’s Dash Robot, for eight years and upwards, is rather expensive at £145 (from Amazon) but is making a name for itself when it comes to teaching kids the fundamentals of problem solving and some principles of programming. It comes with several iOS and Android compatible Apps which connect via Bluetooth to instruct the three-wheeled robot.
One of these Apps is a visual programming tool which children can use to make Dash drive around, move its head, make sounds or light up LEDs in its eyes, ears, chest and tail in various combinations.
A further level of programming can lead it to detect and respond in different ways to obstacles, nearby voices, clapping or even motions.
Some clip-on accessories enhance what Dash can do.
These include a mini-xylophone on which tunes can be programmed and played.
Also for ages eight or more, and less expensive at as little as £60, but not programmable, is MiPosaur. This is a moody robotic dinosaur that plays football. It interacts with a trackball that it senses and follows. It can also be controlled by hand gestures or by an App on an iOS or Android device.
MiPosaur has three different ‘moods’ which change its responses to commands. It starts off content to roam around in ‘curious’ mode and a good clap can make it ‘excitable.’
Pull its tail, though, and it gets very grumpy and even starts biting!!
As well as kicking the ball about, the other tricks up MiPosaur’s sleeve are dancing and even beat-boxing.
