Unlike other robots, Linkbot is specially designed to engage students learning math and coding in the classroom. As one example, wheels of different sizes can be easily snapped on and off for learning abstract math concepts with concrete examples. A small number of parts are manageable for math teachers with large classes and busy schedules. Multiple robots can be controlled by a single program.

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And of course Linkbot can be used for teaching and learning many other robotics applications and STEAM subjects as well.

Linkbot is fully charged and ready to move and sing out of the box. There is no need for time-consuming assembling. It is fun and easy to use.

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Each Linkbot is a building block with two motorized joints. It is capable of communicating with other Linkbots Multiple Linkbots and accessories can be easily snapped together, without the need for special tools, using Barobo’s SnapConnect technology to create different Linkbot systems for different tasks and exciting projects. Linkbot is ideal for building, making, and realizing students’ imaginations in the physical world.

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See some videos for project ideas and sample Linkbot systems.

The OmniBot Pack turns two Linkbot robots into a 4-wheeled OmniBot that can move in all directions!  It not only can move forwards and backwards, make turns and circular motion, but also move sideways and diagonally. The Pen Connector and Pen Adapter add drawing capabilities to the OmniBot with endless possibilities for creating beautiful artwork using nearly any off-the-shelf markers and pencils.

Check out this video of the OmniBot in action.

Linkbot and accessories can be used to provide Robot Makerspaces. Students can make and build their own robot prototype systems quickly. They can then easily control and program their robots using user-friendly RoboBlocky in drag-and-drop coding. 

A group of Linkbots can be programmed to dance and sing together in synchronization. See an example here.

Once fully charged, a Linkbot can be used wirelessly all day long for multiple class sessions without interruption, meaning teachers never need to worry about running out of battery. While a Linkbot is being used with a USB cable it is continuously charging, allowing even longer use.

Linkbot can be controlled using user-friendly drag-and-drop icon-based  RoboBlocky and C/C++ interpreter Ch. Based on our decade of research and teaching experience in robotics, we believe that this is the simplest possible way to control one or multiple robots. The programming environment allows students at young ages to learn C/C++, one of the most widely used standard programming languages in college and industry.

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Users can debug robot programs line-by-line with syntax highlighting in both RoboBlocky and ChIDE in debug mode. This allows students to easily troubleshoot problems using logical and critical thinking.

RoboSim features a virtual Linkbot, free of hardware failure or disturbance, and is an effective tool for teaching math and coding, especially for a math class jam-packed with topics. RoboSim allows users to program robots without physical access to the hardware and provides idealized validation of both the hardware robot motion and materials being taught. The same programs developed and validated with virtual robots can be readily used to control the hardware robots without any modification. Each student can use multiple robots in a single program for personalized learning.

Integrated standard thread holes in Linkbot allow for custom-made accessories. Users can also develop their own parts to be snapped together with Linkbot and its accessories.

CAD files for Linkbot accessories are available and can be used for 3D printing. Users can also develop their own parts to be 3D printed and snapped together with Linkbot and its accessories. This allow students to explore their creativity by turning ideas into 3D printed parts to build custom robotic systems

Two or more Linkbots can be Bump Connected, allowing easy control of one or more Linkbots by holding and moving only a single Linkbot, without coding. It can be used in various events for engaging activities, such as playing a soccer game.

Linkbot can be easily integrated and controlled with Barobo Arduino-Uno-Compatible and Barobo Raspberry Pi products with standard off-the-shelf sensors, including commonly used sensors in Barobo's Robot Sensor Pack. It allows students to play and learn with sensor-based robot motion such as line following, obstacle avoidance, responding to light and sound, displaying LCD graphics, and tracking motion using a camera. The same platform can be used district-wide for students at different grade levels. STEM teachers and IT staff can then conveniently collaborate and share knowledge. 

Linkbot is used in the level playing field RoboPlay Challenge Competition, which allows students a chance to show off their creativity and learn critical teamwork skills in a fun and engaging manner. Over 120 previous challenge tasks with solution videos are available for students to practice for competitive learning in the classroom and afterschool programs. School districts can also organize their own mini RoboPlay Competitions using RoboPlay Challenge Competition Mats. 

Projects using Linkbot  can be submitted for RoboPlay Video Competition, which is a robotics-centric video competition for K-12 students. The competition is designed for  students to learn robotics while having fun and exploring their creativity in writing, storytelling, art, music, choreography, design, video editing and film production, and at the same time seamlessly learning computing and STEAM subjects. 

Linkbot can be linked with Lego parts using the Linkbot Lego Connection Pack.

With the easy-to-use graphical plotting capabilities in Ch and the available math/CS/engineering design curriculum, Linkbots can be readily used to teach and learn coding and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) subjects.

The Learning Management System (LMS) built into RoboBlocky allows teachers to easily manage their classes, create student accounts, assign homework, and grade students' submitted homework.