Makeblock Smart World 3-in-1 Add-on Pack for mBot2 Programmable Robot Car Toy

This is a great stem product to introduce younger students into robotics and coding. Easy to set up and program.

I just received the mBot NEO to use with my class. We have the previous mBots and love them. This new mBot NEO has many new features that my kids are going to go crazy over. You can watch me unbox it here: https://youtu.be/QZf4M2AdqhA It was relatively easy to build and there are multiple forms of instruction. I used a combination of the printed guide and the online directions. The printed guide is helpful because you can match the screws with the actual size photo to make sure you have the correct item each step of the way. I'm not the most technical and it did take me a minute to notice that the included screwdriver switches from a Phillips to a hex nut, but after I figured that out, it was smooth sailing. 4th and 5th graders can build this with limited supervision. Feel free to check out my build video. If I can build it, they can. https://youtu.be/3SHgRf6MmBo The battery is AMAZING. Such a huge improvement! It lasts 5 hours and is rechargeable without taking the robot apart. This is one of the features that my robotics team is most excited about. It simply connects to a computer or USB charging cube with one cord. The built-in features get you moving immediately and they have added some really cute features for the younger kids. The Makeblock app controls the robot and we used it on an iPad. Easy peasy. You can take a look at me testing them out here: https://youtu.be/XqI5VxB9yME The voice controls are fantastic and will be a huge hit with my nonreaders. You can. check out a video of me using them here: https://youtu.be/svA39uDeLmE This is great value for the money. It is sturdy and easily controlled and perfect for your robotic enthusiasts. #OMGRobots

I bought the Makeblock mBot2 Rover Robotics Kit as a gift for my 10-year-old nephew, and it turned out to be so much more than just a toy—it was a weekend full of fun, learning, and unforgettable memories. The kit was well-designed and easy to follow, even for a beginner like me. We worked together to build and program the robot, and it was amazing to see his excitement as it all came to life. From assembling the parts to experimenting with coding, it was a fantastic hands-on experience that taught both of us a lot. The quality of the kit is top-notch, and the instructions were clear. Watching my nephew’s confidence grow as he figured things out was priceless. We both agreed it was one of the best weekends we’ve had together! If you’re looking for a gift that’s not only educational but also a great bonding experience, I can’t recommend this robotics kit enough. Memories like these are truly priceless! 🤖❤️

Easy to put together and my son loves that it teaches him how to code.

Overall, it's a great product for children to learn. It looks very well made, and the programming interface is relatively easy to use. It took me a while to realize that you can only use the Bluetooth connection via the web browser, which makes sense; it's easier. However, I am not a fan of using JST connector for the electricals. It's impossible for children. One wrong move, and the whole thing is unusable. Almost all children's kits I have seen so far use some sort of easy magnetic connector. The cables are so short at places where they should be longer. The manuals and guides need to be designed better.

Llegó en un par de días a Miami con una presentación excelente! Aún no lo he podido comenzar a armar y programar pero creo que será una magnífica experiencia.

Update: This is the least child friendly robot ever if you were hoping your child would learn something about coding without mayor supervision of an adult who is well versed on this technology. The documentation is terrible (inexistent is a better word), the app doesn't work for block coding with this (at least I haven't figured it yet). I know how to code (in another language) and have also used Scratch before (as my child has done), the app is not made for coding with Mbot Neo and certainly not for learning to code with Mbot Neo. The documents on the web are terribly boring even for an adult and the material is not well explained. The Makeblock web is a disaster, most times than not the security certificate had expired already. If you see, on product support Mbot Neo (or Mbot2) is not even listed. In short: I do NOT recommend to buy this robot unless you plan to invest days and more days to first understand all that mess and then go step by step with your child. I had high hopes that this would be a fun and educational purchase and hasn't been any so far. Whereas I can see the the board and sensors all seem very cool, they are of no use if this as advertised for children and don't come with any manuals, friendly apps, or anything to get started and progress on coding with that. If you just want to drive a robot you will find options for a fraction of this price (and most likely you won't need to use your phone or tablet as a remote control because the robot at least would include that). *** I bought this as a gift for my 7 year old and she was so excited, couldn't wait to build it. It was easy to assemble (just be sure to connect the motor cables to the right ports as it is kind of confusing, otherwise your robot will move in the wrong direction). We turned it on and it worked from the beginning using their free app as a joystick. Haven't tried yet the more sophisticated features though, will update this when I do it. As a reference, my daughter had a Botley for a couple of years and was ready for something more challenging. I just took a star because 1) my kit was missing a piece for the screwdriver, 2) for the price it should include a printed child-friendly version of the activities (or at least a good large selection of those), it only includes the installation manual and all the rest need to be searched for in their web, 3) even when driving the robot fro the phone/iPad is easy it's hard to calibrate it to do exactly what you want. My daughter had a blast anyway.

I'd consider myself to be mechanically inclined and it took me about an hour to assemble the robotic arm. The directions are OK, but lack any written description to go along with the pictures. It was a tedious process with small pieces, and I could envision people getting very frustrated. I struggle to think that a child younger than 10 could do it alone. After I assembled the arm, I was disappointed to find that one of the servos was faulty. I took it apart and found that something within the motor is binding, preventing it from spinning freely. This will ultimately force me to return it for a refund. The real issue with the MakeBlock Neo v2 (and I assume other related products) is the quality and ease of use of their software. The mBlock app for Android is totally non-functional as far as I can tell. The Windows Desktop version doesn't seem to support Bluetooth, which was big draw for me. The only fully functioning version of the app I found was the web version. Even then, I experienced occasional connectivity issues. I find it hard to believe that these applications are geared toward children. There are no guided walkthroughs or tutorials, and the user interface is quite complicated. Overall, I love this concept, but the execution is less than stellar. If you're mechanically inclined and are an experienced programmer or PC user, then you can likely fight your way around these issues. Don't buy this thinking that you'll have it assembled and running without going through trials and tribulations.