Tinkerbots
Tinkerbots is a modular system for children with which different robots can be built. Controlling the robots via an app is just as possible as recording movements using the recording function and then playing them back. Tinkerbots building blocks are also compatible with Lego . The construction kits consist of a so-called powerbrain, active movement modules such as motors or sensors and passive components. The range comprises three different kits.
Tinkerbots is manufactured by Kinematics GmbH in Germany and sold through their online shop.
Structure of the system
The Tinkerbots construction sets consist of three components that, when assembled, result in a robot that can perform certain movements.
Powerbrain
The Powerbrain is a small, square building block that is equipped with microcontrollers and thus transmits information to the connected modules. It also supplies the robot with energy via its Li-ion battery . The Powerbrain can be charged via a USB interface or connected to a computer. A Bluetooth 4.0 interface also connects the Powerbrain to mobile devices via an app in order to control the robot.
Movement modules
Tinkerbots kits contain different movement modules with which certain movements are carried out. These include a motor, a gripper arm and a joint.
Cubies
The so-called cubies are differently shaped plastic building blocks that can be connected to each other as well as to modules and the Powerbrain.
history
In 2009, Leonhard Oschütz had the task of designing a “dream machine” as part of a project work during his product design studies at the Bauhaus University in Weimar and then invented the prototype of the Tinkerbots construction kit. The three founders of Kinematics GmbH, Leonhard Oschütz, Christian Guder and Matthias Bürger, joined forces in 2011 to bring the robotic toy onto the market. With the help of investors and a successful crowdfunding campaign, the first construction kits were produced and shipped in 2015.
The company has been withdrawing from the toy market since 2018 and concentrating on the education market. In February 2020 Kinematics GmbH opened insolvency proceedings under self-administration. According to the managing director Udo Meining, the application to open insolvency proceedings has been withdrawn.
Awards
- iF Design Award for Product 2016
- Best Product 2015, Computer Bild
- CeBIT Innovation Award 2014
- Culture and creative pilots Germany 2013
- Weconomy Winner 2013
- Leipzig Founder Prize 2013
- Robotdalen Innovation Award 2013
- Thuringia Founder's Prize 2012
- Jury Award at the Designers Open 2012
- Main prize at the IKT Innovativ start-up competition 2012
- Thuringia Innovation Award 2010 in the COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA category of the Thuringian Ministry of Economics, Labor and Technology
- University Prize of the Bauhaus University Weimar 2010
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ 1 https://www.heise.de/make/meldung/Tinkerbots-Roboter-einfach-selbstbauen-2167498.html
- ↑ http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/tinkerbots-roboter-baukasten
- ↑ http://www.golem.de/news/kinematics-preisgekroenter-roboterbaukasten-fuer-maedchen-und-jungs-1403-105063.html
- ↑ http://weimar.thueringer-allgemeine.de/web/lokal/wirtschaft/detail/-/specific/Produktdesign-Student-begeistert-weltweit-mit-Spielzeug-Idee-2015018415
- ↑ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tinkerbots#/
- ↑ Ina Matthes: Start-up: Bernauer company Kinematics files for bankruptcy. In: MOZ.de. Märkisches Medienhaus GmbH & Co. KG, February 12, 2020, accessed on August 11, 2020 .
- ↑ The Gründerszene editorial team: The latest news from February 5, 2020. In: Gründerszene. February 5, 2020, accessed August 11, 2020 .
- ↑ Die Gründerszene editorial team: The current news from February 6, 2020. In: Gründerszene. February 6, 2020, accessed August 11, 2020 .
- ↑ http://www.bild.de/digital/multimedia/multimedia/goldener-computer-42414512.bild.html
- ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from July 23, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from July 10, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from July 23, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ http://www.sputnika.de/leipzig/magazin/details/article/leipziger-gruenderpreis-2013/
- ↑ http://www.robotdalen.se/en/article/en-crowdfunding-tinkerbots?language=en
- ↑ http://www.thueringen.de/th6/tmwwdg/service/pressemitteilungen/68646/
- ↑ http://www.designersopen.com/Program/Awards/
- ↑ http://www.gruenderwettbewerb.de/ikt-innovativ/fotos/preisverleihung-runde-1- ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 2012
- ↑ http://zs.thulb.uni-jena.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/jportal_derivate_00209707/2010.pdf
