Suggestions for robot to enhance math learning for ages 8-18

Let's Make Robots Beginners
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I am aiming to use a small robot to build course work for kids from 8 to 18 about mathematics, physics, and programming. My intent it to start small with simple, fixed movement patterns. Then do line following, distance measuring… And hopefully moved to very advanced things like games such as 3 on 3 soccer.

I want to buy one robot and start working with the younger kids so I can learn more about this myself. My plan is to buy 6 robots total, so buying a capable, durable kit is attractive over a custom solution.

In the future I would like to be able to add servos, distance measuring, light sensing, etc.

I believe that the best value and quality in this price range is the pololu-3pi-robot. I also like that it is small and has very a maneuverable design. From what I can tell, the Sparkfun Ardubot is the most comparable in quality without going completely custom. The extra advantages of the pololu are the built in sensors and such. I think that the Ardubot would get quite expensive and take quite a bit of knowledge to have comparable sensors.

I really like the idea of the PICAXE Microbot. It seems that it meets my objectives for the right price. I also really like the PICAXE relative ease of programming. I am very concerned about quality. The worm gear motors seem pretty cheap. The precision is not an extreme concern, but I don’t feel like they are going to hold up very well.

I also considered the a custom solution starting with the Dagu 2WD Beginner Robot Chassis. The inexpensive gear boxes seemed a step up from the PICAXE Microbot. The longer I looked at this and thought about the cost and effort to add either a PICAXE or Arduino, sensors, etc… seems like I am back to the Pololu 3pi. It is nice that it is a little less custom than the Ardubot.

Please share your thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks you in advance.

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Hi skinnerfam95,

Welcome to the RobotShop Forum. The Ardubot is a cute kit which uses an Arduino microcontroller, a PCB with motor controller, two motors and two wheels. Unfortunately no additional shields can be stacked. An alternative kit is the DFRobotShop Rover, whose PCB already includes an Arduino microcontroller, motor controller, motors and tracks. The Pololu 3Pi also uses a PCB as its main frame and incorporates a motor controller and microcontroller onboard. The DFRobotShop Rover loves to climb while the 3pi loves to quickly follow lines. The Microbot is a competitively priced line follower which also sues a PCB as the frame, along with plastic parts. The Microbot is not upgradable. The Dagu 2WD platform is intended to be used with the Dagu version of the ROMEO microcontroller. However, there is no additional prototyping space without adding shields, and sensors would need to be abgled down if you play football / soccer.

[LEFT]The DFRobotShop Rover, Pololu 3Pi and Ardubot are programmable in Arduino, while the Microbot is not. We look forward to getting feedback from the community as well with regard to which platforms they have used and which they would recommend.

Sincerely,
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