X-KIT Is a "Robot Factory" for Kids, Offering Visual Programming and 3D-Printable Parts
A central "brain" connects to a wealth of 3D-printed parts, all customizable in the bundled software.
Chinese 3D printing specialist IME3D2011 has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an educational robot kit with a difference: Users print the bot from templates included in the bundled software.
"X-KIT is an unlimited robot creation kit made for 3D printing," explains IME3D2011's Willem Lam. "X-KIT includes a hub, servo motors, sensors, connectors, additional tools, and more importantly a fantastic easy-to-use app for the whole family."
"With X-KIT, you can simply choose your favorite robot from the many templates in the app, print it and it is ready to use. Or you can use advanced modularized 3D design functions to create advanced, custom robots with 3D printing and coding."
The core of the kit is a "brain," which serves as the central hub and includes two monitors, a front ball-bearing, two infrared sensors, two RGB LEDs, three status lights, eight general-purpose input/output (GPIO) ports, and expansion sockets plus micro-USB connectors for data and to charge the internal lithium-ion battery.
Alongside the "brain," which includes an unspecified microcontroller inside, the kit includes wheels, tires and rubber tracks, an ultrasonic distance sensor, a piezoelectric buzzer, four servos, and plastic connection pegs — the latter connecting the central hub to the user's own 3D-printed parts.
Parts, meanwhile, are chosen — and customized — in the bundled app, and are then exported for printing on any 3D printer. Once printed, the parts attach to the hub to turn it into a car, truck, dragon, insect, or more — and custom 3D designs can be imported and edited in the software too.
Programming is somewhat limited, with only two languages available at launch: A Scratch-style block-based coding environment, and a simplified card-based linear language for pre-school students. IME3D2011 does, however, promise at least 40 pre-written programs to get kids started.
The project is now funding on Kickstarter with physical rewards starting at $89 for the earliest backers — a claimed 50% discount over the planned retail price. Devices are expected to ship by November this year, an aggressive timescale.