Kinematics Launch Indiegogo Campaign for a Tangible Game that Teaches Kids About Coding
BERLIN (PRWEB) June 05, 2018 -- Today Kinematics GmbH launched LOMO, a unique coding game that introduces children ages 4-10 to the world of logic, without any screens. The colorful starter kit is now available on the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform starting at $99 USD. The campaign also offers extension packs and kits for educators.
LOMO follows on the heels of the company’s successful 2014 campaign for Tinkerbots robotic building kits, which raised $300,000 USD from more than 850 Indiegogo backers and is now sold in more than 600 retailers in 18 countries.
The LOMO Starter Kit includes a LEGO®-compatible robot, programming board, luminescent coding bricks, and a game called Turtle Island. Players arrange 25 cards to create their unique adventure landscape, and then code their robot to carry out set tasks.
Players build and customize their robot before telling it where to go, by setting the corresponding coding bricks on the programming interface. Each color represents a different coding feature, and the bricks light up as the code is executed and the robot navigates the adventure map.
The company’s goal was to create a new kind of toy that combines technology, play and physical programming to teach children the most important skills for the 21st century.
“We believe that children are the innovators of the future and STEM education is key,” said Co-Founder Leonhard Oschütz. “Programming opens new opportunities for a brighter future for the younger generation.”
LOMO was designed in Germany by Kinematics’ team of engineers, in collaboration with educational experts. Three LOMO extension packs allow kids to explore imaginary game worlds, dodge dangerous meteorites, navigate labyrinths, construct a beaver dam, and much more. Each include their own playmats, figurines, and tasks that can be solved independently, collaboratively, or against friends.
“Being able to understand and to use a programming language helps children & teenagers to master the challenges in our digital world,” said Co-Founder Christian Guder. “LOMO motivates children to try out their own ideas and to act solution-oriented. By assembling the colorful bricks on the programming board, children can easily understand the principles of software without any software or apps”
With LOMO, kids can play with algorithms, procedures and loops. When the coding bricks light up they even help with debugging the code. The programming board has two sections for basic coding and advanced functions. Children can even compress long coding sequences into one operating brick to keep code short and simple.
“It is very important to prepare younger generations for the challenges of the digital era, and actively take part in applying key technologies to the real world,” said CEO Adrienne Fischer. “We believe that LOMO shows that key technology can be dealt with in a fun way.”
LOMO is launching on June 5, with an estimated delivery in Fall 2018. For a rundown of the pledges, visit the Indiegogo page. Kinematics is available to give demos of LOMO in New York City starting June 5. Media wishing to interview their personnel should contact PR agent, Allison AItken at +1 (514) 703-4989.
About Kinematics GmbH
The Tinkerbots project emerged from Bauhaus University in Weimar, during a study assignment by LEGO® enthusiast, Leonhard Oschütz. He worked meticulously on first prototypes, and founded Kinematics with Christian Guder and Matthias Bürger in September 2013. Adrienne Fischer joined the team as CEO in 2016.
The company’s mission is to introduce children to the world of technology and coding with innovative robotic toys. Since shipping Tinkerbots in 2015, the team has grown to more than 30 people with new products launching regularly on the Tinkerbots website, available at retailers worldwide. Product design and manufacturing proudly takes place in Germany.
Jackson Wightman, Proper Propaganda, http://properpropaganda.net/, +1 514-605-9255, [email protected]
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