Children from young age are taught reading, writing and arithmetic skills that we deem basic and necessary. But now, with the growing emphasis on STEM, programming languages may soon be just as important as spoken language. Enter Vortex, the robotic toy that teaches kids how to program and how to build their very own technology.
The small, semi-spherical robot is meant to be paired with either your Apple or Android smartphone. Preloaded with four games, the Vortex promises hours of entertainment for children and a serious educational experience. As Vortex notes on its campaign page, “We believe kids can benefit a lot from robotics, in identifying their own challenges, learning how stuff works, solving new problems, motivating themselves to complete a project, working together, inspiring others, and sharing with others. That’s why we created Vortex to be more than just a toy.” According to the product page: “Vortex is programmable, and to do it you only need an iPad. Creating a dodgeball game is as simple as dragging and dropping couple of function modules into a visual workspace and tapping upload. Vortex also comes with preset courses that teach how to make use of its built-in capabilities, such as recognizing hand gestures, navigating around obstacles and avoiding drop-offs.”
A single Vortex on Kickstarter will set you back $69, but if you worry that your kids will fight over the little robot, the team is also offering a deal for an Early Bird two-pack of the little machines……..
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