The latest offering from iRobot won’t clean your carpet, but it can teach you a thing or two.
Modeled after its Roomba vacuum, the Create 2 is designed to give teachers and students the opportunity to try their hands at robotic programming. Basic programming examples and instructions for starter projects let users transform their robot into a “LightBot” that projects LED images, or a Bluetooth-enabled, mobile music station dubbed the “DJ Create 2.” More advanced programmers can choose to add additional hardware, like cameras or robotic arms.
The Create 2 was developed as part of iRobot’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) outreach program. In a press release, company chairman and chief executive officer Colin Angle ’89, SM ’91 stated, “As a global leader in robotics technology, iRobot believes its greatest social responsibility is to ignite students’ passion for STEM-related careers through the excitement of robots.”
The programmable platform is ideal for fueling excitement about programming because, as Angle points out, “Robots have a cool factor unlike any other learning tool.”
Learn more about iRobot’s STEM program and the Create 2 at its website.