Robots are fun and educational for both children and adults. If you fancy one, Izwan Ismail has some suggestions
1. SPHERO STAR WARS BB-8
Over the years, the experience of Star Wars has lived on screen and in our imaginations. The characters, worlds and adventures are an unforgettable part of our lives and the toys keep the magic in our hearts long after we leave the cinema. BB-8 is playful, personable and true to the Star Wars galaxy. His unique traits begin to shine the second he wakes up. Based on your interactions, BB-8 will show a range of expressions and even perk up when you give voice commands. RM599 at Lazada.com.my.
2. HEXBUG VEX ROBOTIC SPIDER
This robot encourages STEM learning through hands-on play as you construct your very own jumbo-sized robot and customise its programming! The Spider kit comprises over 350 snap together pieces and a centralised brain to bring it to life. You can drive the robot manually with a remote control, or choose autonomous drive mode and watch the Spider scurry around all by itself, mimicking real-life movement. There are 64 different programming variations to choose from too. RM342.72 at 11street.my.
3. RERO
The ReRo Robot Construction Kit features easy to use hardware design and programming tool. ReRo stands for reconfigurable Robot. It is designed for the younger generation or non-technical people to get started with robotic technologies. Eliminating the tiny screws and nuts is the main task in making reconfigurable robots a reality. ReRo does this with the straightforward sliding method between its connectors and joints. You can expand the possibilities with the ReRo Expansion Kit. RM1,696 at http://rero.io.
4. MIP
This robot has an inquisitive and responsive personality communicated through motion, sounds, and RGB LED eyes. With his unique dual wheel balancing, MiP can navigate his way around, imitate hand gestures and even follow objects around. It features a unique dual-wheel balancing with fast speeds and on-the-dime turning. The robot can also be controlled via hand gesture command recognition. It comes with a tray accessory that can be plugged in. US$59.99 (RM260) at Amazon.com.
5. VORTEX
Vortex is a revolutionary product for children. It is a smart and responsive robot that kids can play with and program. Using the Vortex and apps, kids can play different games, learn about robotics, and even create their own. Just pair it with a smartphone (IOS and Android) via Bluetooth, and it is ready to run. The inbuilt computer and sensors keeps Vortex moving around, letting you manoeuvre it by simply tapping the screen, and interacting with various commands and game objects. Vortex features four pre-installed games. US$99 at Amazon.com.