5 advanced construction sets with support for smartphone control

Xiaomi's "smart" ecosystem covers almost all aspects of human life. It is difficult to imagine what is missing in the huge product fleet of an ambitious Chinese company. Recently, the brand's portfolio has been replenished with functional models of robotic constructors. Xiaomi Mi Bunny Block Robot is one of them.

The set contains 978 plastic parts with block connections, which can be used to build a militant robot, spaceship or tyrannosaurus rex. However, if you have a well-developed imagination, nothing prevents you from coming up with your own version of the "construction" of the designer. Along with block parts, in the box with the kit you can find all sorts of gears, fasteners and two wheels with plug-in servo drives for independent movement of the robot.

The wheels serve as the fulcrum of the structure in the assembly version of the main figure - a robotic warrior. Thanks to the built-in gyroscope, it keeps the balance on its own. Xiaomi Mi Bunny Block Robot obeys commands through the MiTu Builder mobile application with an intuitive interface and a Russified menu. There are three key ways to control the gadget: using a virtual joystick or gyroscope, drawing a movement trajectory on the screen, and block models of behavior algorithms(a robot can be made to dance, take different poses, etc.).

Of the optional gizmos for the designer , the color sensor is of interest, which allows the robot to recognize different shades. In programming mode, the brainchild of Xiaomi can be given a command to move along a white wall or, for example, stay away from a brown cabinet. On a single charge of a regular battery with a capacity of 1650 mAh, up to 12 hours of autonomous operation of the designer is promised. The model develops children's imagination, fine motor skills, systemic and logical thinking. The only “but” is the lengthy assembly procedure, due to the large number of small parts.

The Batmobile is the main transport of the Man-Bat from Gotham City. You can "steer" such without leaving your home. It is enough to buy a model of the superhero car Lego App-Controlled Batmobile 76112.

The machine is assembled from block parts in the amount of 321 pieces. and is driven by two electric motors. To transfer energy from them to the wheels of the car, a gear system is used. In operation, the Batmobile relies on a set of 6 “pinky” format batteries ( AAA type), it will also need a smartphone or tablet with a pre-installed Lego Powered Up application (“friends” with gadgets based on iOS and Android).

The mobile programme was "written" by a specialist to control Lego trains from the City series and, in fact, the Batmobile. The application desktop greets the user with two game options: blue and red. The first one has push-button control of the power of the motors and tricks are available in the manner of moving backwards with the sounds of shots, fast acceleration (“Ka-boom!”), rotation around the axis to scan enemies. The red interface uses sliders to adjust the power of the engines and three hexagons with the functions of a quick movement back, a police turn with a squeal of tyres, a feint back and a subsequent turn with the sound of “Boom!”.

The driver of the superhero car is an exclusive Batman figurine in a fabric raincoat. To increase the intimidation of enemies, the machine can conduct aimed fire (manually) with red "pimples". The set is recommended for kids aged 8 years and older, and adult fans of one of the most famous and popular comic book characters will also appreciate it.

The once popular screw constructors from the Soviet past have not yet been forgotten. One of these solutions in a modern guise is the trained robot Makeblock mBot v1.1 BT 09.00.53.

The product is assembled in just 10-15 minutes. from 38 components. It is enough to arm yourself with a complete screwdriver, illustrated instructions and a good mood. It is worth noting that the screw connection of parts requires painstaking and precise movements, however, for kids who are fond of mechanics, this will not be a problem.

3 modes of operation are loaded into the electronic “brain” of the robot: movement along a given line, driving with obstacle avoidance, and manual control mode from a remote control connected via a wireless network to a smartphone or PC. The field for creative activity is opened by the mBlock or Arduino IDE graphical programming environment, where it is possible to drag and drop blocks with commands into the necessary places.

The mechanical "body" of the designer is compatible with a number of special expansion modules (cat, beetle, praying mantis and other unusual creatures), as well as most Lego parts. The energy core of the model is a quartet of AA batteries. With such data, Makeblock mBot v1.1 BT 09.00.53 has every chance to take an important place in the list of entertainment for all family members and cause a lot of positive emotions as a gift.

Ubtech Jimu Karbot JR0301 is a block-configuration programmable robot constructor, assembled in several variations: a four-wheeled jeep, a three-wheeled motorcycle and a two-wheeled crusher. The toy will appeal to adults and children over the age of 8 years.

Construction assembly layouts, along with step-by-step instructions, are available to the user in the Jimu proprietary application, which is installed on a smartphone running iOS or Android. The programme will suggest options for "building" the robot, will give you the opportunity to create its appearance and outline all the movements at the programming stage. Also in the application, you can share your own engineering developments with members of the community of adherents of robotic designers.

The set includes 293 block parts, 3 servos working on the principle of joints, and a box with a non-replaceable rechargeable battery with a capacity of 1200 mAh. Enjoy the game on a single battery charge is offered for an hour. In addition , the machine is armed with an infrared sensor. The sensor "sees" obstacles in the way of movement and opens up wide possibilities in programming options for the robot's reaction to them.

Fixing the details of the designer is easy, but at the same time quite strong, which ultimately affects the static nature of the assembled circuit. With mobile gadgets, the robot keeps in touch via the Bluetooth network with a range of “finishing” the signal of about 10 m in open space. The toy will help to reveal the creative potential of the child, teach him the basics of programming in the Swift language and simply become a real friend for the child.

When it comes to building sets, the LEGO brand name immediately comes to mind. The Danish brand's kits for assembling and modeling a variety of items are popular all over the world. In order to please modern trends, the portfolio of the manufacturer has been replenished with designers with remote control support. In particular, this is the railway for the smallest Cargo Train 10875 from the Lego Duplo series.

An inertial train is assigned to the leading role in the set, moving independently along a toy railroad track. The locomotive of the freight train makes various sounds and winks fervently with its headlights. It can be controlled from the Lego Duplo Train mobile application or by placing coloured activation cubes in the space between the rails to programme actions. Running into them, the locomotive honks, turns on the headlights, stops to refuel, changes direction or stops.

The total number of parts in the set exceeds a hundred. Of these , you can assemble a railway track with a bridge and a road crossing, a station building, a river port with a boat, and the designer also included two cranes and five game figures(three human and two animals). A separate reason for pride is the compatibility of the set with other products of the Lego Duplo line for children from 2 to 5 years old.

By stacking blocks and controlling characters, kids get stronger creatively, learn to make decisions and gain independence skills. In addition, the game contributes to the development of fantasy, imagination and hand motor skills. Parents will only need to change a set of four AAA batteries in time to power the train and help their child complete fun tasks that are given in the mobile application. The child can handle everything else.