{"id":25260,"date":"2020-09-07T17:04:19","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T00:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/?p=25260"},"modified":"2020-09-07T17:04:19","modified_gmt":"2020-09-08T00:04:19","slug":"pingpong-robot-cubes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/pingpong-robot-cubes\/","title":{"rendered":"PingPong Robot Cubes for STEAM Exploration"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PingPong robot cubes help older kids understand how robots work and move to accomplish different goals. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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With distance learning occurring on across the country, it’s harder for kids to get access to important STEAM learning tools, like robots, basic circuits, and technology.<\/p>\n

Parents are becoming more involved in their children’s schooling as kids learn from home. <\/p>\n

As kids miss the interaction from their teachers and peers, they need attention from their parents more now than ever.<\/p>\n

Parents know that kids learn a lot through play. <\/p>\n

As schools are focusing on the basics – math, language arts, social science, and science, this leaves the opportunity for parents to find STEAM toys to engage with their kids and help them learn.<\/p>\n

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PingPong Robot Cubes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Earlier this year while at CES<\/a>, I found an innovative robot company that makes simple robot cubes that can be connected with other robot cubes and accessories to make the “robot” move.<\/p>\n

The company is called Robo Risen and its product is PingPong Robots<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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PingPong cube robots are based on cubes and yellow plastic accessories to help them move.  But these cubes have a good amount of intelligence packed into them.<\/p>\n

They can sense the orientation of the robot and any twists and turns. <\/p>\n

They have a built-in battery, Bluetooth, and a step motor to act as an axel to mechanically move things snapped into it.<\/p>\n

And all PingPong cubes also have a magnetic charging port to connect magnetically with other cubes for pass-through charging from the cable.<\/p>\n

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Kids can build simple robots using the robot cubes and following instructions included in the box.<\/p>\n

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They can build further physical robot cubes by following the simple directions on the app.  We tried out the PingPong G2 Full Set which includes two robot cubes.  <\/p>\n

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Lots of Designs to Build<\/span><\/h3>\n

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As each cube as a servo motor and rotating axel input, kids can easily attach wheels to create a car robot.<\/p>\n

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From the app, they can control it using the joystick or placing certain movements in a filmstrip to “code” and control their robot cube creation.<\/p>\n

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The film strip is even simpler than Scratch to direct the PingPong robot cubes and it’s a very engaging way for kids to play with their designs.<\/p>\n

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The G2 kit comes with 2 wheels and joints to connect its 2 robot cubes together, offering a huge number of robotic combinations for kids to invent.<\/p>\n

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I love this design.  If I were to ask a kid if this robot could move, most younger ones would say no because there are no wheels. <\/p>\n

But this robot design can move quite well and kids can see it work right in front of them, opening their eyes to new possibilities of movement.<\/p>\n

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In fact, there are many possibilities.  If your child likes playing with the two PingPong cubes, try getting two more for expanded possibilities.<\/p>\n

But kids don’t need to stop here.  With a 3D printer, they can print additional accessories and invent new ones to make their creations come alive.  Designs are available on the PingPong website.<\/p>\n

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PingPong Robot Cubes<\/span><\/h2>\n

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FEATURES:<\/h3>\n