Robotics

EPFL delivers an educational robot on the cheap

EPFL delivers an educational robot on the cheap
Thymio II is a new educational robot designed by Swiss research institute EPFL
Thymio II is a new educational robot designed by Swiss research institute EPFL
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Thymio II is a new educational robot designed by Swiss research institute EPFL
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Thymio II is a new educational robot designed by Swiss research institute EPFL
A top view of Thymio II
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A top view of Thymio II
Thymio II incorporated into a paddle-wheeler
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Thymio II incorporated into a paddle-wheeler
Thymio II incorporated into a robotic bird
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Thymio II incorporated into a robotic bird
Thymio II incorporated into a crane
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Thymio II incorporated into a crane
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In the past year alone, Swiss research institute EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) has brought us things such as a mini ionic motor for satellites, “nano velcro” that removes pollutants from water, and a system that allows paralyzed rats to walk again. While none of these items will ever likely be available to regular consumers, now there is a piece of EPFL-developed technology that you can get your hands on. It’s an open-source educational robot known as Thymio II, and it only costs a little over a hundred bucks.

Unlike some other educational ‘bots such as NAO or Zeno, Thymio II is not humanoid in form – if anything, it looks a little like a Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner. Although its variable-speed wheels are intended primarily for allowing it to scoot around, they can also be connected to user-supplied moving parts such as arms, propellers, winches, or just about anything else.

Besides those wheels, however, it also features a microphone and speaker, a 3-axis accelerometer, five proximity sensors, two ground sensors, a temperature sensor, and 39 LEDs which allow its body to illuminate in different colors.

It can accept programming via a USB connection (which is also used to charge its lithium-polymer battery) or a memory card slot. Programming is created using EPFL’s robotics-specific ASEBA language.

Thymio II incorporated into a paddle-wheeler
Thymio II incorporated into a paddle-wheeler

Using capacitive touch buttons on the robot’s top surface, it’s also possible to access a number of preprogrammed “behaviors” in which it does things such as following a moving object placed in front of it, exploring its environment while avoiding obstacles, following a line drawn on the floor, or responding to noises. Additionally, it can be remotely operated in real time using an infrared controller.

Other features include a trailer hitch, and a pencil support that allows it to draw on the surface that it’s traveling over – sort of like a Spirograph, remember those?

Thymio II is available now, at a price of 99 Swiss francs (US$106). It can be seen doing its thing in the video below.

Source: Thymio II via IEEE Spectrum

The Thymio II robot unleashes your creativity!

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2 comments
2 comments
Jason Britton
Looks like a lot of fun, am I right in thinking that the bumps on the top and sides are LEGO compatible? That would be a great feature
mariza
Hello,
Just for your information, there is currently a crowdfunding running about Thymio. We are looking for some support so Thymio goes wireless. It will ease programming and be the first step for further developments as controlling many robots and collaborative behaviour.
And the good news, this new feature is compatible with the actual version of Thymio (bought after May 2012). The link of the crowdfunding : https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wireless-thymio-an-educational-robot/x/10671892#/story The link of the video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsVfIQPZcK8
Mariza