MAUNZI Is a Lego-Compatible Robot Kit You Can Build Without a Single Wire

For children interested in robotics, it’s a great time to be alive. There are a plethora of robot kits on the market that have been designed specifically to introduce kids to robot building and programming. The newest system to come across our desks is MAUNZI, a campaign currently on Kickstarter that aims to be the most approachable robot kit yet.

The big selling point of MAUNZI is the modular construction that allows children (or adults) to build their robot by simply snapping together the module blocks they need. The Cubes connect together without any wires, so there is no complex circuitry to worry about. Each Cube has a unique function: a Window Cube is the brain, a Motor Cube provides movement, a Cannon Cube adds offensive capabilities, and so on.

Once assembled, the Cubes can be controlled using the accompanying app. It lets the budding robot builder control their creation directly (with joysticks for instance), or with programs they write themselves. The programming appears to be visual in nature, making it ideal for children. There is also a series of programming tutorials to teach programming concepts ranging from beginner to advanced.

The most intriguing feature, however, might just be MAUNZI’s physical compatibility with Lego bricks. The young roboticist in your life can use MAUNZI to create the functionality of the robot, then take advantage of the huge selection of Lego bricks to flesh out the design. It’s a really great feature, which dramatically extends the capability (and fun) of the basic MAUNZI kit.

That basic kit, for Kickstarter early birds, will run about $100. For our money, there doesn’t seem to be a more user-friendly robot kit on the market. The Kickstarter just launched, but is only running for a month. So, get your orders in!