Ozobot – The Game Piece With Brains REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

Ozobot is the one-inch robot that moves kids from augmented reality back to physical play!  This Ozobot comes with two little one-inch robots, 4 skins and two chargers.  They bring the world of digital games to a more physical and mental game.  You can also purchase an Ozobot that comes with one and two skins.

To start you simply download the Ozobot app.  You can use the Ozobot with different sized tablets but I use it with my iPad.

Once the app is downloaded you need to calibrate the Ozobots.  There is a calibration card with instructions on it but I was having a difficult time getting them to calibrate with the card.  You can also calibrate directly on your tablet – that method worked perfectly.

You can use the Ozobot without the app or a tablet – there are printed maps as well as markers where you can design your own.  But as you can see – we chose to use the iPad and it was incredible watching all the twists and turns.  We kept adding transitions and removing them.

The Ozobot teaches basic coding language, deductive reasoning and robotic behavior.  Basic coding language is used to program Ozobot to follow a path forward, backwards, fast, slow, right, left and more.

The battery of the Ozobot is designed to work for up to 90 minutes without requiring a recharge.  We haven’t played with them for 90 minutes yet so we haven’t had to recharge.

Its ability to “see” colored lines and know the difference between them is the basis for all the activities and games you can play with Ozobot – like Ozoluck, OzoPath and OzoDraw (all free on the Apple and Google Play app stores.)  With more free apps coming down the road and the Christmas shopping season ramping up, Ozobot is sure to be on everyone’s list this year.

Ozobot has charmed geeks and toy masters at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the American International Toy Fair, with USA Today and Popular Science giving Ozobot their Best Tech Toys of Toy Fair distinction. Dr. Toy has placed Ozobot on her 10 Best Technology list for 2014. Once stocked on shelves, the MSRP will be $49.99 each, or $99.99 for the competitive series (dual packs) – very reasonable prices for tech toys. Online shoppers can find these tiny robots in time for the holidays at Ozobot.com, brookstone.com, momastore.org and amazon.com.

The Ozobot is designed for children aged 13 and up.  If a younger child is using it, there should be an adult nearby who can help guide them or they may become frustrated.

Check it out in action:

Everything you need to know can be found on their YouTube page.   When we were playing with it, the kids were just throwing instructions all over the place (those little oval shaped markers).  They would add them and remove them, though they really didn’t know what they were doing but they were still having a great time playing.  So I wouldn’t follow my maps above!  Build you own, have fun with it and try variation after variation.  I know our next long distance trip in the car will require the Ozobot.  I can imagine all the fun the two kids will have in the back seat playing this together.  The packaging is perfect – I did have a difficult time trying to get the Ozobots out of the packaging but don’t worry it is actually quite easy once you know what to do and there is a YouTube video showing you.  This would be the most unique gift on your Christmas list.  Give the gift of fun and knowledge!

Right now you can even pre-order in time for the Holidays at Ozobot.com and save 10%.

Connect with Ozobot on Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

*************************************************************************

Giveaway

One lucky The Stuff of Success reader will win an Ozobot.  Prizes will be sent directly to the winner from the sponsor. Please allow 6-8 weeks for shipping.  The giveaway will run until 11/17/2014 at 11:59pm EST.  The winner will be chosen randomly via Giveaway Tools and will be announced on the Giveaway Tool Widget.  Any taxes or other charges that may be part of the prize are the winner’s sole responsibility.  The giveaway is open to United States residents only.  You must be over 18 years of age and you guarantee that you are eligible by entering.  We reserve the right to cancel any giveaway.  No purchase is necessary. One entry per person per household.

I received payment or one or more of the products or services mentioned above in exchange for an honest opinion.  I only recommend products or services I use personally and/or I believe would be helpful for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.  Your experience with the product(s) or service(s) may differ from mine.