Arabnet Arabnet

Early in the year, on January 6 during CES 2014, a small California based company called Evollve Inc. unveiled its small, intelligent toy robot: the Ozobot. Evollve Inc. describes Ozobot as a “pocket-sized robot with the ability to operate on physical and digital platforms,” a physical game piece that “melds the worlds of robotics and gaming into one (...) creating a bridge between old and new, cutting edge and nostalgic.” But perhaps the simplest and most accurate way to describe it comes from its CEO, Nader Hamda: “a robotic game piece that can utilize all the best elements of traditional board games and mobile app games to create a brand new experience.”

The Ozobot measures slightly over 2.5 cm in diameter and height. It uses a multicolor LED lighting to communicate with players, a bunch of photo sensors array for precise pattern, color, light and secret code recognition which allow it to follow lines on both non light emitting physical surfaces and on digital screens. It also includes a V-shaped 5 optical sensor array for line detection and 90-degree turns and intersections. It is capable of independent decisions based on random logic selections, and you can customize it with different protective skins.

The device ships with four apps. OzoPath, OzoDraw, Ozoluck, and OzoRace. That last one includes actual boars with tracks draw on top of them. Two Ozobots can race on the boards and follow the physical track assembled around the tablet, as well as on the tablet’s screen. The device is able to automatically distinguish between a physical or digital playing surface and transitions seamlessly between one and the other. See below.

You can draw your own tracks though, both on the screen, with your finger, or with a felt tip pen on any smooth white surface. OzoPath is reminiscent of Pipe Mania. OzoDraw, like the name suggests, lets you paint tracks on the screen for Ozobots to follow. The creators conceived it as an “exploration app to test Ozobot’s intelligence.” And Ozoluck places Ozobot in a maze and leaves it navigate its way out on its own. There are multiple exits, each assigned to a player. The point of the game is to let chance determine which track Ozobot travels on the maze and consequently the winner.

More broadly though, Ozobot is a platform. The device will be complemented with a software development kit that allows developers to create their own games. That would be phase four of the project, scheduled for Q4 of this year.

The team is currently still in phase one according to the schedule on their kickstarter campaign, which includes placing the first full scale production order, and obtaining regulatory approvals and certifications. Phase two, which happens over April and May, should see production complete, a finalized iOS and Android apps porting, and the product shipped from the factory. In June, the apps will be released and the rewards will be shipped to backers which will conclude phase 3.

How does it work?

The device is able to recognize and react to over a thousand different digital codes and instructions. It is capable of reading different line and light colors on game boards, paper and digital smartphone and tablet screens. Different colors could instruct it to go faster or slower. A thicker or thinner line could help it understand which way to go on an intersection.

Ozobot uses a micro-USB based rechargeable LiPoly battery. It is capable of 40 minutes of continuous operation on a single charge. The battery charges to 100 percent capacity in 40 min as well. The Ozobot box comes with a black or white Ozobot, a carrying pod, mini track cards, an OzoSkin and a USB cable. It is expected to be priced at 60 dollars.