Makeblock mBot Review

You can program this robot using the dedicated mBlock IDE, built on the basis of a long-known Scratch IDE developed at the MIT specifically to teach kids to program, this is by far the simplest and user-friendly programming environment you can find. The IDE uses a variety of simple blocks that you can interconnect to create some amazing programs and even games. All the programming blocks are well-documented and there are literally tons of tutorials and examples available online.

You can always expand the robot's functionality by adding the compatible expansion blocks. In total, there are around 10 add-on blocks that you can add to the mBot to expand its functionality.

You can perform a wide variety of exercises with this robot thanks the generous amount of hardware the mBot comes with. Even in its base configuration, the mBot offers a remarkable range of equipment that you can control and program. You can program both of its driving wheels, led strip, IR transceiver, proximity sensor, an optical sensor as well as some of the robot's individual LEDs. For example, you can program it to search for objects on the floor while following a line, and signal an LED once the object is found.

You can actually test the robot's functionality with an IR remote that comes with the mBot. Using the remote, you can switch the robot between the three pre-set programs - manual control, line follower, and obstacle avoider. Additionally, the remote can be used to control the speed of the robot.

The mBot comes with a simple user manual that will guide you through the clear and simple process of assembling the robot. All the required tools are provided. It will take you around 30 minutes to assemble the mBot.