The Maker Mom

Helping parents raise STEM-loving, Maker-friendly kids

  • Home
  • About
  • Work With Us
  • When Geeks Grow Up
  • Gifted Kids
  • Videos
  • #STEMchat
  • STEM
  • Travel
  • Chicago
  • Maker Projects
  • Gifted Ed
  • Product Reviews

Meet Dash and Dot, Robots for Young Kids

January 5, 2015 By Kim
Tagged With: robotics, robots

Dash and Dot are the new robots for young children from Wonder Workshop. You might have met them as Bo and Yana from Play-i when they were in the Kickstarter phase. Dash and Dot robots and their accessories started shipping in late 2014. The company has not only changed names, but they are busy refining their software, too. One thing has not changed, they are still programmable robots geared toward children as young as five.

Wonder Workshop sent me the whole shmear- Dash, Dot and a full suite of accessories, also known as the Wonder Pack (affiliate link) which includes a xylophone, a tow hook, bulldozer for Dash, a smartphone holder, a bunny costume (?!), and extra brick connectors.

Read about Dash Robot from Wonder Company reviewed on www.TheMakerMom.com

Dash is easy to use right out of the box. The most important thing to know, and this is really important, is that the robots are currently only optimized for certain devices. I’ve detailed those devices below and will warn you if you don’t have the proper device, Dash and Dot will be little more than pricey remote-controlled vehicles. But if you have the right device, I think these robots can be a sound investment.

At this point I’m an experienced Kickstarter backer and I’ve learned that few companies are actually able to deliver on their full promise in terms of timelines and product expectations. It’s not that these start-ups are out to swindle anyone, it’s just that, as my husband often says, “things always take longer than expected.” Wonder Workshop expects to have a more robust suite of Android apps released by March 2015 and I believe they are working hard to make their robots and software live up to people’s expectations.

Dash Unboxed

As I said, Dash is easy to use right out of the box. He (she?) comes with a charging cable and two brick connectors. The connectors allow you to embellish Dash with LEGO, Technic and bricks from other popular building sets.

Here we were just being silly.

Read about Dash Robot from Wonder Company reviewed on www.TheMakerMom.com

But later we got more practical and my son fashioned a mallet-hand to go with the xylophone and mallet.

Read about Dash Robot from Wonder Company reviewed on www.TheMakerMom.com

I demo three of the iOS apps, Go, Xylo and Blockly, in the video below. The real gem is Blockly, a drag and drop programming app that lets even young children program the robot’s movements and sensors. It’s simple enough that pretty much anyone can open the app and start coding. Give a look!

If you’ve got the correct device (see below), I think this is solid piece of playful and instructive tech that has the ability to grow with a young child (say under age 9 or 10), especially given that the suite of apps will likely grow over time. It’s also a fun device for those who might otherwise be intimidated by robots or coding (I’m thinking grandparents and even parents, here).

At $149 for Dash ($199 for Dash and Dot, $279 for the Wonder Pack; pricing as of 10/2015)) the pice to play is steep, but just as I expect the number of apps grows, I hope the price will drop. The accessories are fun, but can be purchased over time like the way you add to your LEGO collection. Who knows, maker kids might even be inspired to fashion their own!

In addition to more apps, I hope Wonder Workshop will add a community to their site so that kids can share their videos of their programming projects and inspire others with their innovative ideas. I think this will happen via YouTube, but it makes sense for them to try and set up their own one-stop playground.

If you’ve got Dash and Dot, let me know what you think and how you’re playing with it!

As of this posting on January 5, 2015 compatible devices for he Dash and Dot robots are:

iOS

Tablets (OS version 7.1+) [All apps]
  • iPad 3, 4, iPad Air 1, 2, iPad Mini 1, 2, 3
Phones and more (OS version 8.1+) [Go App Only] iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, 6, 6+, iPod Touch 5

Android

Tablets (OS version 4.4.2+ KitKat) [Go App Only], Nexus 7, 9, Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, Galaxy Tab 3 8.0, 10.1, Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, 8.0, 10.1, Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4, Galaxy Tab S 8.4, 10.5
Phones (OS version 4.4.2+ KitKat) [Go App Only] Samsung Galaxy S4, S5

Comments

  1. Mocha Dad says

    January 8, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    I love these robots. They are not only fun, but they also teach logic, problem solving, and coding.

  2. Laila (@FrontRowMama) says

    January 9, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Thanks for this review! I have always wondered about purchasing something like this for my 8yo.

STEMchat 3 gears

About Kim

Kim headshot Summer 2012 I’m a Chicago-area mom / empty-nester who is passionate about sharing ideas and resources to raise kids who love Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). I’m a published author, blogger, vlogger, baker and maker. I love to travel, especially on trips that involve hiking and other active endeavors, farm tours, and learning new things in general.[Read More...]

"

"

" "

Ads and Affiliates

Archives

BLOG TOPICS

#STEMchat (42) book review (12) books (35) Chicago (44) coding (27) coding for kids (5) college (4) computer programming (16) computers (6) contests for kids (8) DIY (44) engineering (12) family fun (92) geek camp (14) gifted education (18) gifted kids (6) giveaway (4) guest post (7) how to (20) kit (8) maker projects (30) makerspace (15) math (14) nanotech (4) parenting gifted kids (9) product review (42) projects (63) recipe (5) robotics (10) robots (25) science (13) special STEM day or week (37) sponsored (16) STEAM (16) STEM (97) STEM at work (6) STEM camp (9) STEM competitions (8) STEM gifts (6) STEM Girl Friday (31) STEM Girls (78) technology (27) travel (6) video (13) Women in STEM (6)

Copyright © 2022 THE MAKER MOM, SITE DESIGNED BY RK RESPONSIVE DESIGN