The robot that grows with you!
8.11.2016
Translation: machine translated
Thymio is cute. The robot is about 10 x 10 centimetres. Despite its size, it can do a lot of things. It even managed to seduce our product manager Oli Stulz.
The bright eyes of an RC connoisseur like Oli? Thymio was initially designed to familiarise children and teenagers with robotics. The first version of Thymio and the software were developed at the EPFL in Lausanne and the ETH in Zurich. All the hardware and software is open source. As a result, the device can also be reproduced and sold legally by other manufacturers. Or you can use the 3D printer and soldering iron yourself. All the plans and programmes are freely available. Because the organisation behind Thymio is not pursuing commercial aims. All profits are invested back into the project.
But this information is already very detailed, because, as said, the primary target group is children and teenagers. The robot should enable them to learn more about the world of programming and robotics. Thymio has several buttons, sensors, lights and motors. These are controlled using easy-to-use software. Just like in a flow chart, you click on the executions and control the motors. In the video (in German), Oli shows just how simple it is. A perfect way to allow children to use the principle of cause and effect themselves.
Thanks to close collaboration with scientists and educationalists, Thymio is also ideal for carrying out school projects. For example, the exercise could be to have the Thymio complete an obstacle course. To find the path to the finish (with several possible solutions), the children have to be creative. All the teaching material with worksheets and didactic information can be downloaded here.
If you liked the video: in a second film, Oli shows you everything else you can do with Thymio.
More on robotics & learning (some articles are still in German)
Aurel Stevens
Chief Editor
aurel.stevens@digitecgalaxus.chI'm the master tamer at the flea circus that is the editorial team, a nine-to-five writer and 24/7 dad. Technology, computers and hi-fi make me tick. On top of that, I’m a rain-or-shine cyclist and generally in a good mood.