We added Dash and the launcher to the Mix and the fun continues!
Dot is cute and for a robot that doesn’t move, she’s got quite the personality. (To me, the voice and name sound feminine, but technically Dot is ungendered.) The software and hardware are generally well done, however there are some sticking points that make it less than ideal.
If you have the money, go for Dash over Dot. I think Dash can do everything Dot can do and also move. But Dot is surprisingly fun on her own.
The good:
1) Dot looks kind of cool with the lights in the “eye” and “ears”.
2) The software clearly has a lot of thought put into it. It is graphically great for kids to look at.
3) There are many options for sounds, lights, and links. Robot will respond to sound, voice, tilting, and button presses. Random elements are also included. You can even record your own sounds and use that.
4) There is a great deal of thought going into the training exercises. I think there are still some bugs/improvements to be made, but it is generally good.
5) My daughter found it to be cute and engaging.
The bad:
1) No volume control. Just one loud volume. Forget about a kid playing when the other is trying to sleep or you are trying to drive. It would be nice if both sound and light intensity were adjustable.
2) The training exercises are a bit rushed.
a. Almost immediately after completing a training program you get “You finished this step! Ready for the next one?” (You can only select a check mark which takes you to the next.) What if I want to run that step again to see what happened? This is especially frustrating with the tilting exercises. You tilt Dot to make something happen and on to the next step. You can’t tilt again to repeat, which you naturally want to do to verify something is working or to see how much you have to tilt for Dot to register it.
b. When you complete a step you don’t get a chance to practice it for the reason above. My son wanted to change the Disco Ball light order in an intermediate step but couldn’t. This was an opportunity for him to reinforce what he just learned rather than just mimicking the prompt, and it isn’t allowed. You can do so when the whole exercise is completed. If you do, you’ll end up at the front panel and find your place again.
3) The language in some places can be a bit obtuse. “When you link behaviors together, they’re called states.” “And the cool pictures we make with states and links are called state machines.” Do we really need to know this? Does this help my 9 year old in any way? It is never mentioned again.
4) The software really only works if you have one child playing with it (or if you have three devices with the software). I have three who might use it, but only one iPad. After the first child went through the learning exercises, the lessons were marked as completed. Subsequent kids didn’t get the same training. They could go back manually, but that wasn’t the same. Similarly all the tracking of projects and unlocking of new levels is done for everyone if one kid does it. I can’t even find a way to reset things except for deleting and installing the software.
5) Dot can be a bit sassy. There are some expressions kids cling on to and parents hate hearing. Dot does some of those. For example “I’m gonna go with, no”
6) Abilities are locked down until you achieve something through Scroll Quest. The advanced learner can’t just unlock everything and go for it. One child went through it. I reinstalled so the other child could go through it, but they didn’t finish, so they first had to go through everything again just so he could access the options at the level he was originally at.
Also:
1) I’m not sure who Eli is (Dot’s name or someone else) but s/he shows up in the text of the software from time to time. It would be nice to be able to name my Dot.
2) To be clear, although it is round, Dot does not move.
3) My son was not as impressed as my daughter. He likes things that move (cars/tanks) so the voice and lights didn’t do much for him. He was done with it pretty soon. He’d likely like Dash.
Our 9-year-old Autistic child loves this robot. There are several iPad apps that he can use to interact with and program the robot. He loves it!
Even though Dot is not mobile, (Dash is the mobile robot.) there are endless things you can do with Dot: sounds (including your own), lights, puzzles, etc. Using the various apps are the key to making the most out of Dot.
We have experienced a few problems with keeping him connected to the iPad, so that's why I gave Dot 4 stars instead of 5. To resolve the connection problem, we just turn Dot off and on again. The Connection issue is definitely related to Dot and not the iPad since we performed diagnostics on the iPad to be sure. Distance was not the issue either since we had Dot sitting less than a foot away from the iPad.
This product is fantastic. My daughter is 8, and has no problem using the app and even writing her own programs. Hours of entertainment, and best of all, it's educational! It's even fun for adults (meaning I steal it and play with it too). Highly recommended. Thinking about purchasing the Dash too.
This mini robot is so much fun,specially when it talks like small baby, the kids loved it so much, i do love it also.
Feature Product
- Dot comes with hundreds of exciting coding adventures and projects available in Wonder and Blockly apps. Kids program Dot's lights, sounds, and sensors in the apps and see Dot come to life.
- Use your Apple or Android smart phone or tablet to transform Dot into hundreds of different toys and gadgets, such as a lively alarm clock, flying spaceship, a funny fortune teller, or even an electronic instrument.
- No instructions needed! Our Wonder and Blockly apps feature built-in challenge tutorials that teach you how to program Dot from the very beginning of each program! Forget robot camp - learn Blockly and Wonder right in the app!
- Comes fully assembled, no batteries required. Comes with USB charging cable. Compatible with Wonder Workshop's Building Brick Connectors (sold separately), to extend with LEGO and LEGO Technic compatible bricks.
- Awards: National Parenting Gold, Opening Minds Innovation for Schools, ISTE Best of Show for Schools
Description
Dot is the brains of a robot. Dot comes with several games built in, such as Magic Dot Ball, Dot of Music, and Light Sword. Using free apps Wonder and Blockly, you get to make over a hundred more games with instructions in the apps.
Niece really liked but wished there were more interaction activities that she could work with to help her learn. Like teaching her Morse code or something. She’s 8 years.
My 6 year is really getting into it. going to work on DOT for a little and see how it goes before we go and get dash! Thinking this will be even better for a middle school coding club !
Lost dot for like a month found him though kids love him dash tend to collect dust because my kids are a little young but got the bits on a sale so scooped them up
Awesome toy! My 8y old loves it!!! Considering getting her Dash as well. Very engaging and educational at the same time. Sort of a perfect mix of screen time and thinking. Love that she loves it!!!
Bought this for my Grandson and he loves it. He also has Dash which interacts with Dot. It is amazing the things he does with these toys. I think it is really cool. He is very happy with Dot.
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