An impressive new technology for bringing robot creatures to life is being introduced to the world through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The technology behind 'bots_alive' was ideated by AI and robotics researcher, Dr. Brad Knox, in the MIT Media Lab.
The technology has the potential to bring new life and entertainment value to remote control toys, such as the Hexbug Spider, as demonstrated in the video for the Kickstarter campaign. bots_alive is essentially a kit that transforms ordinary remote controlled toys into smart, autonomous creatures, equipping them with the skills to solve problems and intelligently navigate the world around them. Sets of two bots are able to play with one another, as well as learn and grow as they encounter more challenges.
This toy kit is branded as a step above ordinary STEM toys, as a "STEAM" toy, which adds the arts to the educational content that science, technology, engineering and math toys typically provide.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Smart Toy Kits
- The 'bots_alive' technology presents an opportunity to transform ordinary remote-controlled toys into intelligent, problem-solving creatures.
- Autonomous Playmates
- The kits allow sets of two bots to interact with each other, learn, and develop new skills, providing children with autonomous playmates.
- STEAM Education
- The 'bots_alive' technology combines arts with STEM education, offering a unique STEAM toy experience to enhance learning and creativity.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Toy Manufacturing
- Toy manufacturers can capitalize on the 'bots_alive' technology to create innovative smart toy kits for children.
- Robotics
- The 'bots_alive' technology offers opportunities for further advancements in robotic research and development.
- Education
- Educational institutions can incorporate the 'bots_alive' technology into their curriculum to enhance STEM and STEAM education.
