Filip Brož When I was in elementary school, I was always fascinated by the budding world of computers and especially programming. I remember the day I first wrote my first web page using HTML code in a notebook. Likewise, I spent hours with the children's programming tool Baltík.
I have to say that sometimes I miss this period very much and I am very glad that I could remember it again thanks to the smart programmable robot Ozobot 2.0 BIT. As the name suggests, this is already the second generation of this mini-robot, which has won several prestigious awards.
The Ozobot robot is an interactive toy that develops creativity and logical thinking. At the same time, it is a great didactic tool representing the shortest and most fun way to real programming and robotics. Ozobot will thus appeal to both children and adults and at the same time find application in education.
There was a bit of confusion when I first unboxed the Ozobot, as the robot has an incredible number of uses, and at first I didn't know where to start. Manufacturer on your YouTube channel luckily, it offers some quick video tutorials and tips, and the package comes with a simple map on which to try out Ozobot right away.
Ozobot uses a unique color language to communicate, consisting of red, blue and green. Each color means a different command for Ozobot, and when you put these colors together in different ways, you get the so-called ozocode. Thanks to these codes, you can completely control and program your Ozobot - you can easily give it various commands such as turn right, speed up, slow down or telling it when to light up in what color.
Ozobot is able to receive and execute color commands on practically any surface, but the easiest is to use paper. On it, the Ozobot can use light sensors to follow the drawn lines, along which it travels like a train on rails.
On plain paper, you draw a fixed line with alcohol so that it is at least three millimeters thick, and as soon as you place the Ozobot on it, it will follow it by itself. If by chance the Ozobot gets stuck, just drag the line once more or press a little on the marker. It doesn't matter what the lines look like, Ozobot can handle spirals, turns and turns. With such obstacles, the Ozobot itself decides where to turn, but at that moment you can enter the game - by drawing the ozocode.
You can find all the basic ozocodes on the instructions in the package, so you are ready to give commands right away. The ozocode is again drawn using a spirit bottle and these are centimeter dots on your route. If you paint a blue, green and blue dot behind you, Ozobot will increase speed after running into them. It is up to you where you place the ozocodes with what commands.
It is only necessary that the track be drawn either in black or one of the three aforementioned colors used to create ozocodes. Then the Ozobot will glow in the color of the line when driving because it has an LED in it. But it does not end with lighting and the fulfillment of relatively undemanding commands.
The Ozobot BIT is fully programmable and, in addition to tracking and reading various maps and codes, it can, for example, count, dance to the rhythm of a song or solve logical problems. Definitely worth a try OzoBlockly website, where you can program your robot. It is a very clear editor based on Google Blockly, and even younger elementary school students can master programming in it.
A huge advantage of OzoBlockly is its visual clarity and intuitiveness. Individual commands are put together in the form of a puzzle using the drag & drop system, so inconsistent commands simply do not fit together. At the same time, this system allows you to combine multiple commands at one time and logically connect them to each other. You can also see at any time what your code looks like in javascript, i.e. the real programming language.
Open OzoBlockly in any web browser on your tablet or computer, regardless of platform. There are several levels of difficulty available, where in the simplest one you program more or less only movement or light effects, while in advanced variants more complex logic, mathematics, functions, variables and the like are involved. The individual levels will therefore suit both smaller children and high school students or even adult fans of robotics.
Once you're happy with your code, transfer it to Ozobot by pressing the minibot to the marked spot on the screen and start the transfer. This takes place in the form of rapid flashing of color sequences, which the Ozobot reads with the sensors on its underside. You don't need any cables or Bluetooth. You can then start the transferred sequence by double-pressing the Ozobot power button and immediately see your programming result.
If classic programming stops being fun for you, you can try out how Ozobot can dance. Just download on iPhone or iPad the OzoGroove app, thanks to which you can change the color of the LED diode and the speed of movement on Ozobot at will. You can also create your own choreography for Ozobot to your favorite song. In the application you will also find clear instructions and several useful tips.
However, the real fun comes when you own more Ozobots and organize a dance competition or speed races with your friends. Ozobot is also a great helper in solving various logical tasks. Several color schemes can be found on the manufacturer's website that you can print and solve. The principle is usually that you have to get your Ozobot from point A to point B using only selected ozocodes.
The Ozobot itself can last approximately one hour on a single charge and is charged using the included USB connector. Charging is very fast, so you don't have to worry about missing out on any fun. Thanks to its miniature dimensions, you can take your Ozobovat with you anywhere. In the package you will also find a handy case and a colorful rubber cover, in which you can put either a white or titanium black Ozobot.
When playing with Ozobot, you need to keep in mind that although it can drive on an iPad screen, classic paper or hard cardboard, you must always calibrate it. It's a simple process using the included black pad, where you press the power button for over two seconds until the white light flashes, then place the Ozobot down and it's done in seconds.
Ozobot 2.0 BIT offers an incredible number of uses. For example, there are already lesson plans for how easily it can be used in teaching computer science and programming. It is a great companion for socialization and various adaptation courses for companies. I personally fell in love with Ozobot very quickly and together with my family spent several evenings in his presence. Everyone can invent their own games. I think this is a great Christmas present not only for children but also for adults.
In addition, for how versatile the Ozobot is, its price is not too high compared to some other robot toys that can't do nearly as much. For 1 crowns you can make happy not only your children, but also yourself and the whole family. You buy an Ozobot in white or titanium black design.
Nice, it's a shame that the linked easystore doesn't have it in stock, I'd rather order it from alga.
Many thanks to the author for the review and to you for your interest. Unfortunately, the delivery from the manufacturer has been unusually extended (traditional tax for the pre-Christmas period), it should arrive to us on Monday. Until then, we would like to refer all interested parties to our other customers.