Modern Robotics just introduced its newest, collaborative robot, and you can build it

Miami-based company, Modern Robotics, recently provided an exciting glimpse into the future of collaborative robotics with the introduction of Spartan, a robotics base kit that allows users to build and program their very own robot.

Targeted at students, or anybody new to robotics, the kit is packed with everything a beginner could possibly need. Included is the core Spartan controller, two optical distance sensors, a touch sensor, a program control button, two motors, two wheels with rubber tread, a caster wheel, a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, building components, and the tools to put it all together. The programming tools, along with specialized Spartan programming libraries and the software needed to create an Arduino development environment, are provided on the company’s website. 

The Spartan robotics kit and all it offers. Image source: Modern Robotics.

With a mission to get an affordable robot into the hands of students and teach programming concepts from middle school through the university level, Modern Robotics gave Spartan a core controller with 26 motor, servo, and sensor ports, allowing programs to interact with the robot’s environment. Coupled with the versatile MATRIX building system, Spartan is capable of completing endless challenges.

“Spartan provides instant results of the student’s program,” content and training developer at Modern Robotics, Colton Mehlhoff, told Electronic Products. “A student can write a program to turn on a motor, then upload it to the robot to see the result seconds later.” According to Mehlhoff, having something physical to work with often captures students’ attention. The sensors also allow students to learn how robots interact with their environment, adding elements beyond learning to program only on a screen.  

So how do beginners go about their first steps of building and programming their robot? A “Getting Started” card is provided within the kit (as is everything else needed), and it guides students to Modern Robotics’ website, where they can find building instructions, programming resources, and video tutorials. The robot can be assembled quickly using the step-by-step building instructions and included tools. After building the robot, students can run the many example programs provided, or write their own programs using the company’s documentation on the programming functions. According to Mehlhoff, more tutorials and classroom resources are under way.   

Pictured above is the completed Spartan robot. Image source: Modern Robotics.

Once the robot is complete, it’s capable of a variety of tasks. “Spartan can host up to 20 sensors, four servos, and two motors,” said Mehlhoff. “The base kit allows the user to build a robot that can follow lines or a robot that can detect objects around them, like a hand. With additional servos and sensors of the user’s choice, possibilities are endless; robot soccer, navigating a maze, or even finding and retrieving an object of a certain color.”  

In case you’re wondering what else makes Spartan stand out from other robotic building kits, it’s not just about its simplicity and impressive performances once completed. Unlike many robots of this versatility, Spartan has enclosed electronics to protect against damage, and to also come off as less intimidating to new users.  

Better yet, it appears that Spartan is only the beginning of what Modern Robotics has bubbling beneath the surface. “More modern robots are just around the corner to allow every student to experience sensor-based programming before high school,” said Mehlhoff.

Currently Spartan is retailing for $195 on the Modern Robotics website. The suggested age for this kit is 14 years and older.

About Modern Robotics

Modern Robotics was founded by engineers who have been developing educational robotics products for many years. The latest projects include combining phones, the fastest computers for their size, with motors, servos, and sensors to provide the next platform for FIRST Tech Challenge and the Spartan robot. Moving forward, Modern Robotics is creating small, easy-to-use yet sophisticated robots for the classroom and universities with the goal of putting a robot into the hands of every student.