Top Robotic Companies in the World

The top robotic companies in the world focus their energy on creating top-notch products and providing customers with the best possible instructional resources available. These businesses also devote significant time and manpower to researching the latest technologies in the field of robotics. Incorporating these innovations into the newest robotic kits translates into more challenging and fulfilling experiences for all levels of robotic enthusiasts. In addition to technology research, these companies are committed to accessible education in robotics for anyone interested in learning about this exciting part of the science and engineering fields.

Recognizable Names in the Robotics Industry

The following list of robotic companies include several leaders in the industry, and several of them have gained excellent reputations for applying robot technology to specific niche areas. 

• The Science Kit Center - This company offers a range of beginner robot kits that have impressive end results. New builders can assemble a robot that catches and throws a ball back to them or one that moves in response to audio stimuli. Each of these robot kits is designed for ease of construction, and they also introduce beginners to robotic concepts such as basic binary command input.
• Mekatronix - A top feature of this robotic company is its extensive set of resources for science and technology educators. Mekatronix develops specialized curriculum for both secondary schools and university robotics engineering courses, and the company provides free starter packets to teachers who want to start student robotics clubs. These instructional materials are high quality supplements to Mekatronix's extensive catalog of robotic kits and accessories. 
• Lynxmotion - Robotic hobbyists and professionals, both give this company high marks for its custom kits that Lynxmotion developers have created from scratch. This company has one of the biggest varieties in kits designed for all experience levels. Each kit is fabricated from top quality materials, which results in a sophisticated robot that accepts a variety of human commands. 
• OWI Robotics - In 1980, OWI Incorporated, was looking for a way to expand its consumer product lines and bring its extensive technology background to the educational community. RobotiKits™ and OWIKits® were developed to affordably introduce students to robotics, science and solar technology. OWI Robotics is the leading supplier of robotic, aluminum bug kits, building and solar kits, to schools, science clubs, science education centers and science camps. The kits are available at hobby, educational, toy and museum stores nationwide. The kits are available in five difficulty levels - raning from beginners with no experience, up to advanced circuit board soldering and mechanical assembly -- challenging builders from grade school to adult. In conjunction with educators, OWI Robotics has developed a fully structured teaching curriculum with modules tailored to the kit's unique electronic and mechanical features. 

Cutting Edge Robotic Products and Services

These top robotic companies are reshaping the industry by making both materials and resources available to anyone interested in learning about this dynamic field. Each business has goals of educating the public about the possibilities in robotics and how it could possibly shape other areas in the future. Manufacturing, energy production and even daily household chores are just a few such examples that are already seeing changes due to robotics technology.

Company Instructional Resources

Lynxmotion, Mekatronix, OWI Robotics and The Science Kit Center all rank among the top robotics companies due to their emphasis on product excellence and on education. Their research and development teams work consistently to make the best quality robotic kits available to consumers. Each company also provides plenty of user-friendly learning resources for robotic beginners. These factors indicate that all four companies employ developers who understand that robotics is a field that moves at the high speed of technology, and it is also a valuable medium for teaching complex science concepts. Readers who are interested in learning more can contact us for robotics details. 

A Year of Jubilee Reviews, Reviews our 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers

OWI, Inc. - 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers has now claimed three awards: 2012 Top Toy of the Year Award, 2012 Product of the Year Award, and Best Vacation Product.

Now these are the toys I love most for my boys!! Innovative, and cutting edge! All boys love robots, why not give them the best, award winning kits!

In this kit, all of the parts snap together, no need for tools and screws or glue. It is easy to assemble the 5 vehicles and 2 charging stations. If you have SUN, you have power! Love it. They are learning not only about making robots and assembly, but the use of harnessing the sun's solar energy.

The parts within the 5 vehicles are interchangeable, thus you can only make one at a time. That is the only down side I saw to this kit. I personally would have liked to see a kit where you could make a couple of vehicles, making it easier for children to play together with one kit. because it is made of plastic I do have a slight concern that over time, clicking and snapping the pieces back and forth into various cars will break down the plastic and make some pieces unusable over time.

The solar panel is super slick, and I love how the recharging station is set up. I love teaching toys and I strongly feel that this one is superb in that!

This kit is only one out of nearly 40 products! They are priced very reasonable for the robotics involved. Check out just a couple of OWI's other products to get a feel for what you will find on their website.

Reach the full review

Robotics for Beginners

Building a working robot may sound like an intimidating project, but newcomers have plenty of educational resources available to help get them started. A number of robotic kits are created specifically with first-time builders in mind. Robotics for beginners is an exciting and rewarding undertaking, and it is an excellent way to learn a range of scientific concepts. These include mechanics, the physics of motion, the use of energy sources and even basic programming as it applies to robotics. The only real prerequisites for beginners of any age, is a desire to learn and a willingness to investigate why a robotic project may not work perfectly the first time around.

Basic Parts and Tools
Robotic kits typically start simple and move up in complexity as each builder gains more confidence and experience. The most basic kits are designed to first teach beginners proper tool usage, and many kits include tools such as:

• Fuel cell batteries
• Wrenches and screwdrivers specially sized for robotics projects
• Solar cell battery packs

Beginner kits typically come with all needed parts already fabricated, and the builder's main job is to fit them together correctly. These kits include printed instructions, so checking for possible mistakes is a relatively simple process. A number of kits for younger beginners have parts that lock together without the need for any separate tools.

Types of Kits for Beginners

Some of the most popular kits instruct newcomers in building robotic toy cars, trucks and transformer robots. Many of these are powered with rechargeable fuel cell or solar-powered batteries, and building with them is a fun way to learn exactly how these sources of alternative energy work. A few favorite kits for beginners contain fuel cells that run on salt water. One important part of robotics for beginners is learning how to assemble these clean-energy mechanisms correctly.

Learning Robotics for Beginners

Kit instructions are good places to start for learning robotics, but many beginners benefit from more interactive lessons. A good number of helpful video tutorials are available online, and some robotic enthusiasts also offer tips to newcomers through forums and blogs. Robotic camps provide face-to-face instruction and demonstrations of the possibilities associated with learning this exciting hobby. As newcomers master basic robot building from kits, they can gradually move into completing more advanced projects that require more technical knowledge. In these cases, a robotics camp is one of the best choices for getting the most out of this educational opportunity.

Scientific Concepts in Robotics Education

Robotics for beginners teaches the practical application of several different science disciplines, and many newcomers do not initially realize how much they are learning from assembling a robot from a kit. Putting the needed parts together introduces basic concepts of kinetics, and assembling a robot's rechargeable power sources teaches the specific function of clean energy. Learning beginning robotics can help anyone actively understand these ideas on a better level. For more details on how to get started, interested beginners can contact us for robotic kits information.

November Robot Kit Giveaway

We're continuing our monthly giveaway contest into November! Enter below as many times as you like, in as many ways as you like, to gain points. The more points you accrue, the better your chances are of winning. The winner will be announced at the end of the month and contacted via email. All entries are free!


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Family Review Center Gives Our 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers Prestigious Gold Award

Read their full review here

DESCRIPTION: An innovative solar science kit that encourages children to exercise their sense of creativity and imagination. It features all snap together plastic parts (no screws, tools required), solar panel and accessories. It is incredibly easy to assemble the 7 different modules: 2 power charging stations and 5 different vehicles.

The transforming rechargeable station has 2 output plugs; one for solar recharging and the other for battery recharging. Amazingly, the battery charging station can bring the selected unit to full power in about 5 seconds and the solar recharging station will fully recharge in approximately 120 seconds. The fun time - run time is approximately 50-80 seconds.

Similar to OWI's other mini solar kits, if you have sun, you have power. Enjoy five different vehicles: Solar Car, Concept Car, Bulldozer, Dump Truck and Concept Racer (1.87"x1.74"x3.64"), Concept racer (1.02"x1.74"x4.18")

REVIEWER NOTES: With this kit you can create 5 different solar powered vehicles (one at a time). Comes with a power station that allows you to recharge the vehicles with sun or battery. It takes about 2 minutes to fully recharge it using solar power, and about 5 seconds using battery power. It will then run for about a minute to a minute and a half once fully charged. The 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers are easy to snap together, so children will usually not need assistance from any adult but adults may want to supervise, just to get in on the fun!

This is a great way to introduce children to the power of solar energy. A simple way to explain it and see it in action. Our favorite was the Concept Racer. We would love to hear which one was your favorite, once you try them out!

Benefits of Robotics for Kids

Robotic education provides kids opportunities to learn core science concepts with a fun, active approach. One of the biggest challenges to teaching young students science is demonstrating these concepts in an engaging way. Robotic kits are designed to help kids learn how solar power works, how physics allow motion and how machines function with the correct commands from humans.

Assembling and experimenting with robotics is ideal for kinaesthetic learners of any age group. These are the students who have difficulty sitting at desks and reading or writing down word definitions or similar material. The ideas have little meaning for these learners unless they get to put them into practice. For example, building and manipulating hands-on projects. Building with robotic kits benefits these kids by connecting science and technology concepts to real-world applications.

Robotics for Kids in Practice and Research

Kids who begin learning robotics early, often develop more confidence in themselves and positive attitudes towards taking on challenging tasks, whether in science or other areas. Some research indicates that young learners who work independently on basic robotics kit projects, strengthen their abilities to follow detailed instructions. They can also improve their problem solving skills over time by completing a series of robotic kits that gradually increase in difficulty. Not every kid may move on to become a dedicated hobbyist who creates original mechanical projects, but all of them can benefit from the skills they will learn with educational robotic kits.

Some other useful concepts kids will learn from robotics include how tools and machine parts work together. Each robotic kit comes with prefabricated parts that need to be fitted together in a specific way for the entire project to work correctly. Working with robotic components and required tools may take practice and will probably not go smoothly the very first time, but these kinds of tasks are instrumental in helping kids develop patience, dedication and persistence.

Robotic Kits Available for Kids

Available kits range from simple to complex and many kids with no previous experience can put together beginning projects successfully. The complexity and difficulty of any finished device depends on the end results. Putting together a solar-powered set of model-sized vehicles will foster understanding of how the included solar panels convert sunlight to energy. The same type of robotic kit also allows for individual creativity. One popular example is the beginner level 7-in-1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers.

Another kit that lets kids put educational robots into action is the 3-in-1 All Terrain Robot. The finished robot can move in multiple directions with the use of a wired remote control. Finishing and experimenting with this robotic project is a fun way for kids to learn the basics of motion dynamics. This type of project also encourages development of hand-eye coordination.

A more advanced kit for young robot enthusiasts is the Weasel, a robot with plenty of high-tech features. The completed Weasel comes fitted with a photo sensor, can navigate its way around a line and has a wall sensor!

Each of these robotic kits demonstrates the potential of educational robotics as either a supplement or an addition to a standard science curriculum. Completing these hands-on projects builds both concept understanding and reinforces kids' confidence in their own abilities. Other benefits include improved problem-solving skills and creative decision-making capabilities.

Research in Education Robotics for Kids

As technology moves forward by leaps and bounds, the educational needs of our children must change. Science and technology have become integral in our daily lifestyles, and as a result, there is more of a need than ever for children to be exposed to concepts and ideas that can make them competitive in the global economy. One area that is certain to see more growth is robotics. Below are some of the way that robotics can be essential to your child's education.

Benefits of Robotics for Kids

Research in education robotics for kids, show that children who have exposure to robotics tend to do better in the fields of science, technology engineering and math (STEM). These fields are more important than every globally, and their importance will not be lessening any time soon. Research in robotics education for kids, show that if you want your child to be a viable part of tomorrow's economy, STEM skills are invaluable.

• Robotics help to foster creativity and problem-solving skills. There are countless applications of robot technology at play in the modern world. They all share one thing in common: they all provide a solution to an existing problem. Whether they robotics are used on a factory assembly line, or in a hospital operating room, or a NASA lab, robots provide creative solutions that augment our human abilities. Research in education robotics for kids, show that early exposure helps to foster technical creativity when faced with problems.
• Exposure to robotics helps to build confidence. Nothing inspires like a completed task. Kids everywhere love being presented with challenges, and they love meeting and exceeding expectations. Robotic technology allows kids to identify problems and develop ideas to fix them, and then build the conceived solution. In a world that can often leave people with little to no autonomy, this is unbelievably empowering for anyone, especially a child.
• Research in robotic education for kids show that robotics classes help foster stronger peer grouping in the classroom. Collaborative projects and group research help strengthen children's social bonds and identity. Spending time working with peers to create and develop solutions to real-world issues, help children find their voice - and helps to develop the compassion to hear the voice of others. 

Stronger peer connections, empowerment through problem-solving, creativity, and more career options - robotics technology can enrich your child's life in many ways. Don't get blinded by the research in education robotics for kids, though. Above all else, robotics are fun for everyone!

Robotics for Kids in Practice and Research

Research in robotic education for kids makes it apparent that the next area of growth in the field is developing a new generation of research scientists that are comfortable with robotics as a concept. The availability of affordable and effective robotic tools for children makes the development of the scientists of tomorrow that much easier.

Robotic Kits Available for Kids

Thankfully, there are so many option available that offers a wide variety of robotic sets for kids. We offer several sets for kids that fit virtually any temperament and interest level. Solar-powered robots, transforming robots, 3-in-1 multi-part kits or robotic insects. At OWI Robotics, we try and help foster the scientists of tomorrow!

Contact us now at OWI Robotics for more information about robotics for kids!