Giveaways

Every month we're giving away a free robotic kit to a lucky customer. Enter below as many times as you like, in as many ways as you like to gain points. The winner will be announced at the end of the month and contacted via email. Good luck!
July's Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway Congrats to Lori W. on winning last months giveaway!

Best Robotic Kits for Beginners

We've found that the best outlet for individuals with a fledgling talent in mechanics and electronics are robotic kits for beginners. These beginner kits are a great way to learn some of the fundamental principles of robotics, while simultaneously nurturing creativity and skill. Some of our kits are also powered by salt water and solar energy, which serves to enhance a beginner's understanding of clean, renewable energy sources while providing an engaging and entertaining experience, using some of the best robotic kits available.

Entry Level Robot Kits

In our lengthy experience, the best robotic kits are easy to use, durable and made from non-toxic, safe parts that children are able to handle. To get a better idea of which beginning robotic kits to start with, we've created a list below:

6-in-1 Educational Solar Kits - This kit is easily among the best for beginners as well as being one of our most decorated and awarded products to date. The 6-in-1 teaches the basics of assembly and the reuse of parts while giving users the added advantage of requiring no external batteries. It's configuration allows multiple constructions and extended enjoyment at (what we believe) is a very affordable price. The 6-in-1 also teaches the basics of how an electronic motor functions and how the construction of a miniature powerboat or racecar mirrors the functioning of their larger counterparts.

Robotic Arm Edge - A robotic arm kit is also one of the cooler starter kits for an amateur builder. It allows the user to work on slightly more complex movement functions and honestly, just looks flat-out cool. The assembly process is incredibly fun, as is using the robotic arm to maneuver, lift and move objects. The arm is operated via wired remote control that allows the user to control the movement of the arm on multiple axes. There is also a USB interface that allows you to control the Robotic Arm Edge with your computer! We fill that the best robotic kits provide hours of inventive and fun-filled play. The Robotic Arm Edge has this in spades.

3-in-1 All-Terrain Robot - Intelligently designed for play as a toy or as an effective robotics project, the All-Terrain Robot can be assembled in three different variations; a gripper, a rover and an industrial forklift. The realistic tracks replace tires for superior traction and all-terrain movement and the gripper can be used to lift small objects. Typically powered by AA batteries, this all-terrain robot is great as a functional toy while teaching basic robot construction.

Get the Best Robotics from OWI Robot

OWI Robotics is a premier manufacturer of high quality robotics kits for beginners and advanced enthusiasts. The company offers battery-powered, solar-powered and salt water-powered kits a single, 3-in-1 or even 7-in-1 variants. From popular kits that create toys such as the 'Frightened Grasshopper' and all-aluminum dinosaur kits to robotic arm kits, OWI Robotics has the best robot kits for every level of play and learning.

Contact us for robotic kits for beginners, to enter a world of fun and learning.

Evan and Lauren Take on Our 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers

Evan and Lauren over at http://evan-and-lauren-a.blogspot.com/ were awesome enough to put together one of our newest kits for 2012, the 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers. Not only that, they blogged about their experience. Read their post below or check it out here.

My son loves vehicles, especially ones that move on their own. We were lucky enough to try out the new 7 in 1 Rechargeable Solar Transformers from OWI, Inc. This product is really cool and kids get to learn some science by learning about solar energy. Plus for parents how exciting is it to have a toy with no batteries or tools! All the pieces snap together.

Here is Evan showing me how to charge the car. Evan likes the car best but there are five vehicles that can be made: Solar Car, Concept Car, Bulldozer, Dump Truck, and Concept Racer.

The Bulldozer

The Dump Truck.

During the Charging Process.

This is how it starts and kids get to put the pieces together.

Here is the charging station. not there are two places to plug into for charging.

Here it is plugged in.

Here he is playing with it after charging. It goes really fast.

Here it is as packaged

Do It Yourself!

DIY Robotics

With DIY robotics, individuals set up new kinds of automated structures or robots that perform various tasks. Robotics has come a long way from the old, clunky models seen in retail magazines of the 1980s. Today's robots are quite diverse. Some of them have more of a focus on visual appeal, while others are built to perform specific functions. DIY robotics produces working products of all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique style and utility.

What Does DIY Robotics Involve?

Building robots from scratch involves a careful study of a desired result, along with science and know-how that takes the builder toward that goal or objective. DIY robotics projects need specific hardware to function, along with the right kinds of programming and design. Many 'napkin drawings' for DIY robotics involve figuring out what the robot is supposed to do and how it will physically or mechanically achieve these tasks. Then the DIY builder reaches toward resources that will deliver the tools and equipment to construct a working design. A DIY robotics engineer will often look at specific kinds of mobility, along with structures that help a robot to grasp objects, measure heights, or perform any other kinds of advanced functions. DIY robotics also often involves looking at power sources for a robot. While these used to be limited to a bulky battery pack or a power cord, new advances in solar technology, as well as salt water fuel cell and other sustainable methods, have helped DIY robotic designers to power up their products in ways that won't restrict their mobility or use up a lot of electricity from the grid. Planners can look to the most current types of power sources when planning their build and reduce weight, also conserving environmental resources.

DIY Robotics with OWI Robotics

A goal here at OWI Robotics is to help builders put together a DIY robotic product from start to finish. Our catalog provides full scale robotic kits as well as smaller alternatives that are as equally effective for nearly any DIY robotics design. We offer accessories, instructional materials and alternative energy sourcing for robotic projects to provide a kind of one-stop shop for designers who want to make their DIY robotics dreams come true. Get a full kit to put together a working robot, or find ways to power up existing designs with the newest technologies around. We're dedicated to helping hobbyists, professionals and others build the best robotic designs possible, with the newest materials and the most current engineering philosophies available to the market.

What is Robotics?

When it comes to do-it-yourself hobbies and activities, there's not much that comes close to the world of robotics. Robotics is more than just a fascinating area of study, because the process of building your own robotic systems is immensely rewarding and educational. And, the feeling of accomplishment is second to none.

History of Robotics

So, what is robotics? Robotics is a branch of technology that deals with all the logistics of robots: designing, building, operating, manufacturing and then applying robotic and computer systems for different tasks. When one thinks of robots they might think of movies like Star Wars or Wall-E. Truth be told, robots play a huge role in pop culture and the thought of robots evokes a sense of wonder. Some people think the idea of robots entering our lives will only occur in the far-off future, when in fact, robotics have been around since ancient times. While not quite what one might imagine as a robot, Archytas, a Greek mathematician, suggested the creation of "The Pigeon," a steam-powered bird. In fact, he created several automated machines that made use of air pressure and water also. But the first signs of modern, useful robotics didn't show up until 1926, when Westinghouse released Televox. A man-sized robot, Televox was able to pick up a ringing telephone, in addition to several other features. Within just 28 years, the first practical modern robot was invented by George Devol. The robot, Unimate, would be sold to General Motors and served on the assembly line starting in 1961. Still, robots were expensive, and it seemed like average citizens wouldn't make use of robots until far off in the future. But, the future is now. Though they might not look like R2-D2 or C-3PO, robots are all around us. Ever microwave a TV dinner or leftovers? That rotating platter that spins your food could be considered a robotic application. If that seems too simple, how about the iRobot Roomba? It's a circular vacuum cleaner that'll patrol a room on its own and suck up and dirt. Almost every piece of technology we interact with on a daily basis has roots in robotics. And now that you know the answer to "What is robotics?", now's a great time to delve into the world of robotics.

Robotics from OWI Robots

It might seem intimidating to get into robotics as a hobby, but in truth it couldn't be any easier. Which is why here at OWI Robots we sell comprehensive robotic kits that include everything you need to start tinkering and building your own robots. You get all the tools and materials required, but after completing your own robot kit, we're pretty sure you will want some tools of your own. What's really amazing is how much you will learn when working on robot kits. This is why we believe robotics is such a great hobby for children. They can take the scientific lessons they learn in school and apply it to their kits. Solar energy and kinetic energy are just some lessons that kids can learn more about when they work on robot kits. It truly is rewarding for them as well. Robots aren't just involved in some far-off scientific field where brainy scientists tinker away at complicated machines. Robots are a part of our technology-fueled lives and now's the time to get involved. What is robotics? A whole lot of fun, that's what! If you're ready to get started, visit OWI Robotics at http://www.owirobot.com today.