Robotic technology company iRobot, most known for its Roomba vacuums, recently announced an expansion to its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach program. Along with a series of new learning resources, the company has now made its Create 2 robot platform available.
Based on the Roomba 600, the Create 2 is essentially a remanufactured, customizable Roomba robot that students, educators and hobbyists can use to get “firsthand robotic programming experience.” From sounds and behaviors to navigation tasks and more, users can tweak and re-program Create 2 to do any number of different tasks…
According to iRobot, the Create 2 platform is suitable for beginners learning to interface with technology of this nature for the first time and more advanced users that want customize the bot to do more complex tasks. In fact, Create 2 is specifically designed to accommodate additional electronics like sensors, cameras, lights and more. It comes with an included face plate drill template to attach add-on hardware safely.
As part of its STEM program expansion, iRobot is also introducing a series of online resources to support its new robotic learning platform. Like many of these kinds of programmable products, there is a host of projects and tutorials available to get users started. A few examples include turning Create 2 into a robotic DJ or into a LightBot to create LED based imagery. Other goodies also made available with Create 2 include a communication cable to connect it with your PC (also compatible with Arduino and Raspberry Pi set-ups) and a series of 3D printable files for additional Create 2 parts like a replaceable cargo tray.
The right out-of-the-box system goes for $199.99 and includes the Create 2 robot itself, a rechargeable battery, a home charging base and the above mentioned communication cable.
More specs and full PR below:
[9to5-press-release]
iRobot Announces Programmable Robot Platform for STEM to Inspire Next Generation of Robotic Leaders
Resources for educators, high school and college students include iRobot® Create® 2 programmable robot, 3D printable files and starter project instructions
Dec 10, 2014
BEDFORD, Mass., Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), the leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced exciting updates to the company’s successful STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach program, including the launch of Create 2 – a preassembled robot platform, based off the company’s Roomba®, that gives educators, students and developers firsthand robotic programming experience. iRobot also unveiled online resources, including 3D printable files for new parts, a faceplate drilling template, and educational projects and instructions. Educational projects are designed to get users up and running quickly with their Create robot.
“As a global leader in robotics technology, iRobot believes its greatest social responsibility is to ignite students’ passion for STEM-related careers through the excitement of robots,” said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer of iRobot. “Robots have a cool factor unlike any other learning tool. Create 2, with its online resources, reliable hardware born of the award winning Roomba, and ease of customization simply delivers more robot than anything available to students and educators at or near its price. We are so excited to be able to make this available to the educational community.”
iRobot’s multi-faceted STEM program provides K-12 school systems, universities and nonprofit organizations with a range of resources to help bolster STEM learning – from programmable technology and robot activity books to classroom visits, tours and mentoring.
As part of the company’s commitment to supporting STEM education in schools, iRobot is building upon its program to include:
- Create 2 programmable robot platform – a preassembled mobile robot based on the Roomba 600 Series that provides an out-of-the-box opportunity for educators, students and developers to program behaviors, sounds, movements and add additional electronics
- Projects and instructions – basic programming examples and starter projects of varying difficulty to give students and educators a head start on their first robot programming assignment. Initial projects for students and educators include:
- “DJ Create 2” – a roaming, robotic DJ that allows for easy control of music through a Bluetooth enabled mobile device
- “LightBot” – which uses a light painting tutorial to create LED images
- 3D printable files – instructions and files to build new parts with 3D printing, including how to replace the bin with a cargo tray and for additional project parts (3D printer not included)
- Communication cable – a serial to USB cable to send commands from a desktop or other computing device to the robot
- Face plate drill template – for safe drilling into the Create 2 and mounting of hardware for projects
iRobot is the lead organizer and founder of National Robotics Week, which will be held April 4-12, 2015. National Robotics Week provides opportunities for students and educators to learn about robotics through a variety of events across all 50 states.
For more information about iRobot’s STEM program and Create 2, please visit www.irobot.com/stem.
Create 2 Pricing and Availability
Create 2 is available in the US starting on December 10, 2014 for $199.99. Additional detail on features and availability can be found on www.irobot.com/create.
About iRobot Corp.
iRobot designs and builds robots that make a difference. The company’s home robots help people find smarter ways to clean, its defense & security robots protect those in harm’s way, and its remote presence robots enable virtual presence from anywhere in the world. iRobot’s robots feature proprietary technologies incorporating advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141209/163389
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131104/NE10106LOGO
SOURCE iRobot Corp.
For further information: Elise Caffrey, Investor Relations, iRobot Corp., (781) 430-3003, ecaffrey@irobot.com; or James Baussmann, Media Relations, iRobot Corp., (781) 430-3664, jbaussmann@irobot.com
[/9to5-press-release]
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