Phiro - Lego Compatible/Programmable Vehicle

[DrJB]

Have you guys seen this?

https://www.kickstar...a?ref=discovery

Not sure what to make of this. It is well known/accepted that STEM technically started with with the RCX at MIT, but nowadays, everyone is trying to come up with something novel and call it essential for teaching kids about programming, problem solving, and the future. I do not want to come across as too critical, but the project's home is Cambridge in Massachusetts (that's where MIT is) but I'm not sure if the authors are affiliated with MIT. After all, MIT and Lego go back many years ago (late 80's) with a micro-processors/design course (6.270) that essentially launched the interest in STEM.

So, what do you guys (and gals) make of Philo ... err Phiro ?

Edited November 14, 2015 by DrJB

[Saberwing40k]

Seems kind of similar to the old CyberMaster Mindstorms stuff. Shame it only has two motors and no additional outputs.

[Moz]

Cybermasters was my first thought too. But the zero expandability seems really weird, it's not as if arduinos are limited to two outputs. I was expecting/hoping for some kind of RJ11 expansion bus so it was compatible with Mindstorms. It's less "expanding Lego" and more "cheaper but not as capable as Mindstorms". I'm not sure how much of a market there is, but I suspect if you're buying by the classroom-ful one per student with less functionality might beat one Mindstorms between three.

[SevenStuds]

I'm happy they reached their goal on Kickstarter and it's looking successful so far, but saying that "Research shows that one of the most effective ways for kids to learn problem solving is through coding & robotics" seems a bit too convenient for their purpose.

Personally I think scouts is a better teaching ground for problem solving, but that's just me.

If this all about getting a cheaper alternative to Mindstorms, shouldn't it be compatible with something else? I wouldn't be surprised to see someone like MB or altBricks buy them out.