Meet Edison V2.0

Meet Edison – An exciting new educational robotics system. Classroom ready with loads of free downloadable teacher resources.

Originally designed for the class room environment, Meet Edison also lends himself to becoming a fantastic educational toy that can also be used at home by a building brick enthusiast (Edison is compatible with LEGO® bricks) to build remote controlled or programmed creations. Edison provides a small, user friendly bundle specially designed for introducing beginners to the wide and amazing world of robotics. Edison provides a pathway, stepping the beginner through multiple stages from simple controlling, to programming and then to building. Alkaline batteries are recommended for use with the Edison Robot.

You’re a controller You’re a programmer – You’re a builder

If you would like to see what Edison can do CLICK on the video below, then head over to the Downloads page and grab one of the free resource books.

  • Affordable
  • Compatible with LEGO® bricks
  • Programmable
  • Free Downloadable Resources
    • EdBooks – Free Learning Resources
    • Lesson Plans
    • Robot Programming Software
 

You’re a controller

Edison is a robot capable of many different functions. Simply print out some barcodes and drive him across them to activate a range of pre-programmed features.

Barcode programmable

Edison performs different functions based on the barcode he reads as he drives over it. Print out barcodes to turn Edison into a line tracker, remote control vehicle or even a sumo wrestler!

Clap controlled driving
 

Easy 3 button control

Edison is super easy to control. To start a program press Triangle, to stop a program press Square and to read a barcode press Circle twice.

Edison robot buttons
 

Clap controlled driving

Edison is equipped with a sound sensor and can detect loud sounds like clapping. The program listens for a loud sound like a clap and Edison responds by turning to his right. If you clap twice he drives forward and stops.

 

Obstacle avoidance

Edison can see in the ‘dark’ using invisible light to detect obstacles and avoid collisions. The program drives Edison forward, when an obstacle is detected he reverses and then turns on the spot away from the obstacle, then continues to drive.

 

Follow torch

Edison loves light! He will drive towards the brightest light source even if it means falling off the table. Such is love! The program uses Edison’s light sensors and motors to follow a torch.

robot light sensing
 

Line tracking

Meet the holy grail of enthusiast robotics: line tracking. Line tracking is a very popular robotics activity as it’s fun to watch the robot go around and around a track. See how many people ask you “Is that line magnetic?” The program uses Edison’s line tracking sensor and motors to follow the edge of a black line.

 

Bounce in borders

Ever heard of Dromophobia? Well, it’s a fear of crossing the street and we’re going to give a version of it to Edison! Cue evil laugh…Muahahaha!!! The program uses Edison’s line tracking sensor and motors to stop him from crossing a black line.

Bounce in lines
 

Sumo wrestle

Bring on the robot wars! The program brings together bounce in borders to stay with in the ring and obstacle detection to hunt and find the opponent.

 

Remote control driving

So you really want to control your Edison!? Here’s your chance and you can do it with your TV remote control. This program allows Edison to learn the commands from your TV or DVD remote control.

 

Control Edison with your TV or DVD remote control!

Edison can scan a barcode that allows it to be controlled by most TV & DVD remote controls. Actions can be mapped to any button on the remote, such as:

  • Drive Forwards or Backwards
  • Turn Right or Left
  • Spin Right or Left
  • Play Beep or Tune
Remote for Edison
 

Free downloadable resources

Check out our great range of Edison resources, which can be downloaded for free! Resources available include:

  • Line Mats
  • EdBooks
  • Lesson Plans
  • Programming Software
  • Completion Certificates

Check out the first EdBook: You’re a Controller!

EdMat - Colour

You’re a programmer

Edison can be programmed in three different programming environments, with each one designed for learners with a different skill level. For each programming environment, there’s also a bunch of resources including Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Teaching Guides and Curriculum Linking Guides.

Note: The Edison Learning System previously consisted of three core texts, EdBook 1 – You’re a Controller, EdBook 2 – You’re a Programmer and Edbook 3 – You’re a Builder. EdBook 2 was based around the EdWare* Programming Environment and is still available on the You’re a Programmer downloads page under EdWare* Resource Downloads. Other resources are now available for the other programming environments.

*EdWare, while still available, is no longer maintained and has been replaced by EdScratch.

For Beginners

EdBlocks Programming Interface
Edison is programmable using EdBlocks, a fully graphical drag-and-drop based programming language, perfect for beginners and young learners (7-12 years old). The colourful, intuitive interface keeps the program easy to follow and understand, and with over 150 code blocks there’ll be plenty of programming experiments to complete. EdBlocks is compatible with all V2.0 Edison robots and any V1.0 Edison robots that have the June 2017 firmware update.
 
EdBlocks was developed using the Scratch Blocks code base developed by the MIT Media Lab from the Blockly code base developed by Google.

For Intermediate Learners

Program your Edison robot with EdScratch. An easy to use, graphical programming environment. With large, easy to interpret icons, EdScratch is an ideal programming language for students aged 10 and up. As students gain confidence in coding, they can do even more by controlling inputs, manipulating data, and creating and utilising variables, making EdScratch a perfect platform to use Edison’s features in engaging, creative ways.

Version 1 Edison robots are still compatible with EdScratch, however there are a few limitations. Find out more here.

For Advanced Learners

Edison is now programmable in Python! For advanced learners, EdPy will introduce learners to text based programming using one of the most popular introductory programming languages. EdPy maximises the potential of Edison’s wheel encoders and gives users superior control of Edison.

 

EdComm Cable

EdComm Download Cable
Programs are downloaded to Edison using the EdComm cable. The EdComm cable plugs into the computers headphone jack and carries a pulsed audio signal to a high efficiency led. The LED converts the pulsed audio signal into light that is received by Edison’s line tracker phototransistor and loads the program into the processor.

 

Programming & Teaching Resources

EdPy resources
A range of resources are available for Edison programming, making teaching and learning with Edison a breeze.
Resources include:

  • EdBlocks, EdScratch and EdPy online apps
  • Teaching Guides
  • Lesson Plans
  • Australian Curriculum Linking Guides

View Edison Programming resources and downloads

 


You’re a builder

Ed Create bag and contents
Build onto your Edison with the EdCreate 5-in-1 constructors kit! Designed to work with Edison robots, EdCreate provides the bricks required to create 5 different projects.

The EdCreate Edison robot creator’s kit is a construction system consisting of 115 interlocking building blocks, pegs, gears, and other parts.

  • Contains 115 pieces
  • Includes components to complete any of the 5 EdBuilds*
  • Compatible with Lego® bricks

*Does not include Edison robot/s or remote.

 
Ed Digger build
The EdBuild projects require progressive levels of coding capabilities, making them a perfect addition to the Edison programming and robotics curriculum.

Build instructions are available for each project.

EdCreate allows you to build the following projects:

  • EdTank
  • EdDigger
  • EdRoboClaw
  • EdCrane
  • EdPrinter
 

 

Building & Teaching Resources

EdCreate EdChallenges
A range of resources are available for Edison building with EdCreate, making teaching and learning with Edison a breeze.
Resources include:

  • Instructions for each EdBuild
  • Teaching Guide
  • EdChallenges: free-form student challenges

View Edison Building resources and downloads