“Hello Robot!” - An Introductory Educational Robotics Kit
Introduction
This project started during the winter break of my sophomore year in high school when I wanted to find a way to introduce robotics to more students. At this point, I was going into my sixth year in the FIRST Robotics program. As an experienced student in competitive robotics, I was always baffled by the idea that some of my peers, who were interested in engineers had never built a robot before.
I came to the conclusion that even though building a robot was such an important concept for aspiring engineers, it was an intimidating, expensive, and un-researched topic.
This led to the development of (“Hello Robot!”) - An Educational Robotics Kit. In summary, this kit consists of inexpensive and kid-friendly components that when assembled create a vibrating robot.
Eventually, this product took off as one of my first entrepreneurship endeavors where I pitched this idea to investors and established a non-profit to kick off (“Hello Robot!”) as an impact educational opportunity for thousands of students in K-12.
Kurt Giessler Grant Winner
Abstract:
The increasing impact of robotics on our society is on the daily news. However, this growing science and technology are not taught enough in the K12 educational system. The project (“Hello Robot!”) addresses this problem directly by creating an engaging and inexpensive educational kit to provide a low entry barrier to exposure to robotics, with a long-term goal to encourage a lifelong passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The project idea was inspired by the famous “Hello, World!” exercise for learning computer programming. To be able to print “Hello World!” signifies the excitement of exposing yourself to a brand new world of learning by doing one simple but significant task. We wanted to elicit the same feeling of excitement to robotics, therefore naming the project (“Hello Robot!”).
Currently, existing solutions to lacking STEM education are split into two separate categories: 1. kits that are too simple and not stimulating; 2. too complex and hard to learn. The goal is to create a kit that is simple, yet stimulating so that children have the motivation to reach higher levels of robotic complexity. With this method, students are placed into a more exciting and righteous path toward innovation.
Our solution is to reduce cost by using a minimum number of electronic components required by a functional robot and by using paper origami to provide a supporting structure and an open-ended means of adding individual customization to the robot. The current prototype only includes an energy source (one battery), a motor, an LED light, a switch, and a supporting structure made of paper origami. The electrical components enable movement and lighting, which attract attention to children. The paper origami stimulates building, creation, and encourages change and hands-on. The latest version of the kit is under $3 per kit.
The project has been supported by Kurt Geissler Foundation with a $1500 grant, and by Maryland Montgomery County Volunteer Centers at $300/year for two years. More than 200 students tested from more than 40 schools in Maryland tested two versions of our prototypes. The uses of kit for robotic education were also mentioned at three congressional hearings by the sibling team at both Maryland House and Senate to advocate a robotic education bill, which became law on June 1st, 2019.
Blackstone Start-Up Pitch Winner