In today's article, we will go over a list of the top DIY Robot kits for adults and children that you can get, we will touch on the features, compare unique specifications, and also lay down the pricing so that you can select the right option at the right price!
1. Lego Education Spike Prime Set - $400
Starting things off we have the Lego Spike prime education set. Made for ages 10 and above, this DIY Robot kit comes with over 500 pieces and is an ideal DIY Robot kit for education. Also featuring a LEGO Prime app, this education set makes learning easy and simple with over 40 guided lessons that teach users how to set up, program, and interact with the robot. Designed specifically with beginners in mind, this LEGO Spike set is great for complete newcomers to create new designs, code simple movements, and lay a base understanding of robotics by encouraging users to think like engineers and develop basic computational thinking skills. One small drawback is that the full Spike Prime set will set you back $399.95.
2. Lego Mindstorms - starting at $360
If you were looking to purchase a DIY Robot a while ago, one top recommendation would have been the Lego Mindstorm robot kit. Simple to use, coming in various options (like the EV3 & EV6), and supporting simple coding as well, the Lego Mindstorms educational robot kits were a fantastic option for beginners getting into robotics kits! With over 600 pieces to choose from, children loved the various robots and shapes (12 additional robots were supported from the same kit) they could create by mixing and matching the Lego sets. Not only the hardware, LEGO's software compatibility allowed users to program the Mindstorm through PC and Mac using Visual Basic, C++, and Python (MicroPython). One main drawback for these robots was that did not support Arduino, which is considered essential while transitioning to advanced robotics kits! Launched way back in 1996, there was nothing like this on the market before, however, it came as a huge surprise to everyone when Lego decided to pull the plug on this division and completely stop production for these units. As of today Lego Mindstorms is not officially available and has been discontinued.
3. SMARS Robot
SMARS (Screwless/Screwed Modular Assemblable Robotic System) is a simple, educational robot designed for DIY Robot enthusiasts. SMARS is a modular robot system that can be assembled without the need for screws, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including adults. SMARS is more suited as a robot kit for adults, mainly because it involves 3D printing the necessary parts, soldering the motors, and assembling the components. One of the considerable disadvantages of assembling a SMARS robot is the time and effort required. The modular design and lack of screws make the assembly process more complex compared to traditional robot kits. Additionally, the need for 3D printing the parts can be a barrier for some DIY enthusiasts who may not have access to a 3D printing printer. The approximate cost of building a SMARS robotics kits can range from $50 to $150, depending on the specific components and materials used. While SMARS robots may be cheaper, as a DIY robot kit, they could be challenging, especially when selecting the loose parts, 3D printing all the components correctly, and attaching the Arduino board correctly and safely. Any mishaps during the DIY phase could run the risk of damaging the apparatus and requiring a rebuild of everything.
4. Petoi DIY Robot Kits
First, you get to choose the pet of your liking, if you're interested in DIY Robot dogs, Petoi Bittle is a fantastic choice, if you're a cat person then the Nybble robot cat is a great choice! All our pets are programmable robots and while they're loads of fun, you can use them to learn coding as well! While Petoi's pets also come pre-assembled, the best way to learn, code, and interact with these smart robots is to opt for the DIY Robot kit and assemble these quadruped robots yourself!
Starting at only $269, Petoi's DIY Robot kits don't cost a fortune and will ensure that there's a lot you can do even after assembling them. For instance: our free online block-based robotics coding curriculum, simplifies programming for beginners and young students that are just getting started. Want to learn something more challenging? we also offer a free C++ robotics coding curriculum that blends perfectly with the DIY Robotics kit for students and adults!
5. Bonus
At Petoi, we value inclusivity and are privileged to boast of a fantastic community that spearheads world-class robot projects with our hardware and software! Take for instance this community-led 3D Printed quadruped robot kit (built on top of Open Cat).
And it's not just adults, children, and young students are often seen leading these DIY robot projects and bringing new concepts to life! For example, the picture above showcases an interesting robotics camp where students worked in teams to customize Nybble and build new human-robot interactions. They showcased their imagination as parents witnessed the students bring these unique creations to life. You can read more about the GEEKUP Quadruped robotics coding camp by clicking here.
To boost innovation; we've provided free access and links to some of the 3D printable designs of Petoi's DIY robot structural components and accessories. Just click on the image below to gain access!
