What is this app?
Meet Pixel - your own personal interactive robot. Pixel starts off without any intelligence or emotion, so it's up to you to program some personality and life into the robot. Using a drag-and-drop blocked-based programming language (Scratch), fun interactions can be programmed, such as changing Pixel's emotions and controlling Pixel's speech.
Pixel aims to teach the basics of robotics and computer science in a fun and interactive way.
To get started, go to Pixel's brain through our menu (located top-left of Pixel's face). Available activities to get started are located here:
Connect option will only work if you have an external hardware to connect to. Instructions are still being developed. Thanks for your patience.
iOS Speech Text Bug (v.1.2.0)
To access the text in the say block, press and hold the text-field (speech bubble). You can also use the magnifying glass to zoom-in and try. It takes a couple tries before you can get it. The bug will be fix in the next update.
Join our Community
Chat with other users and our developers on our Discord server. Share your creations, suggest new features, and ask for help. Join Discord
Questions?
We've got answers.
What is this?
Pixel is an app for iOS / Android that turns your device into a programmable robot aimed to teach the fundamentals of computer science and robotics.
Which devices work?
All iOS 7+ devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and Android 4.1+ devices (smartphone, tablet, Chromebook) are able to run our app. External hardware connection may require Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE).
Why are you guys doing this?
Computer science is as important as reading in this generation, but most school curriculums haven’t changed to adapt and include this essential subject. We want to change that. Robotics is an excellent gateway for combining this subject with STEM education.
What makes you better than other "toys" and learning tools on the market?
We utilize the power of smartphones and tablets (new or old) to allow for more complex and interactive experience, while keeping it simple to be accessible by any child. This also capitalizes on existing investment you have already made on devices, and allows you to create a truly interactive robot. In addition, you learn both hardware & software skills, not just one or the other. Presently, users turn to several different products to learn about hardware and software individually. Lastly, our product grows with you. Our platform is open and isn't bounded by a learning environment. This allows you to truly explore the possibilities of creating.
Does it really connect to any hardware?
Yes! The possibilities are endless. Out of the box, it connects with LEGO Mindstorms NXT/EV3, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi boards. You can use our Playtime SDK to connect to any additional hardware.
Do I need any hardware or supplies beside the app? Any prior knowledge?
No! The app is standalone by itself and there's many things to explore. Hardware is optional and builds on the learning experience. No prior knowledge is required. No matter what level you are at, Pixel is tailored for you to start learning and creating immediately.
Is the app free?
Yes! It’s completely free to download and start programming right away. Additional in-app add-ons may not be free. These add-ons further expand on the learning experience and the app's capabilities.
What are missions?
Missions are learning lessons tailored towards growing the user to be more comfortable and competent with programming and robot building. Some missions include Personification, where you design your robot to have human-like qualities, Astroid Retrieval, where you program your robot rover to identify and collect objects, and Battle Bots, where you teach your robot to be ready for battle with other robots!
Who is this for?
Everyone! It's for all ages! Anyone can learn computer science. We want to inspire and empower people to create using their imagination. Anything is possible! The app is perfect for K-12 students looking to excel in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
Where are you guys based out of?
Toronto, Ontario, Canada! The founders graduated from the University of Toronto with Master's degrees in robotics. They had shared the same struggles of learning computer science and robotics when they were kids. Now they are on a mission to change education technology and provide accessible learning tools for every kid in the world!
Have more unanswered questions?