I once ran across a really old Popular Mechanics “How to” that
described making a robotic “rat” where a roller skate added circuitry
and a motor for driving itself across the floor while reading a line
drawn on the floor. Looks like the 21st Century finally caught up,
because Ozobot picks up where that lets off and doesn’t soak you either —
it costs just $49.99.
The Design’s The Thing
As befits a modern design, Ozobot is small, circular and an
attractively clean silver white-like orb. With wheels beneath its
skirts, obviously since it can move on its own. But first a micro-USB slot
has to give its battery a boost or it’ll just stare at you. But powered
up the “head” can light up and the motor has more than enough “oomph”
to move it at a steady pace. Not that it decides on its own what to do.
has to give its battery a boost or it’ll just stare at you. But powered
up the “head” can light up and the motor has more than enough “oomph”
to move it at a steady pace. Not that it decides on its own what to do.
A Toy That DOES Things
Ozobot is a “physical” toy that DOES things — it expects real-world
integration, courtesy of paper, colors, game boards, or pretty much
anything that can be drawn on and which it can sit on and move about on.
Basically it will follow along a line once it’s put on one — but that’s
just the start. You use colors to create codes of colors (i.e., a
marker) which inform Ozobot’s “brain” to react — so yes it’s a form of
high level programming that anyone can easily do; as an example, draw a
blue-yellow-blue marker and Ozobot, which has been sedately cruising
along the track (i.e., the name for the lines drawn), gives a Turbo kick
and picks up speed.
Digital Doesn’t Get Left Out
Ozobot also works with apps and can move about on a tablet (9” large
as a 7” too small). It has to be calibrated to the surface first (as is
the case with real-life use), The app opens up different types of games
and activities while helping you become familiar with the color codes.
It’s less messy than the “real world” too, especially if you’re the one
corralled into cleaning up the markers and tracks afterwards. Also I’ll
admit that I’m looking forward to the OZOGROOVE music and dance app to
see just how Ozobot will perform choreographed dance routines. Should be
fun watching the little guy gyrating around.
But I wish I had had another Ozobot so that I could have tried
working them in tandem. Still, one’s enough to prove the point: analogue
beats digital all hollow when it comes to the tactile sensation of
having a robot performing in real-life, right before your eyes. Just
remember it’ll need a recharge after about 60 minutes of play.
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