Jibo, Inc. today announced the U.S. launch of Be a Maker, a new mobile application that teaches children how to code by allowing them to program their Jibo robot.
Using a technology based on the open-source Scratch programming language, children can use the Be a Maker app to create customized programs for their Jibo robot to perform. Users can control what Jibo says and how he moves and behaves, selecting from lists of his signature sounds, screen animations and expressive movements.
Be a Maker, designed for children ages 7-12, challenges children to use logic, problem-solving and computational thinking, which are core skills required for programming. Because the program allows users to code specifically for a social robot, it forces them to engage simultaneously in both critical and creative thinking in a completely novel way, while helping support and grow their interest in STEM.
Be a Maker was developed in partnership with everis, an NTT DATA company, and is a part of the organization’s CLOQQ initiative.
Be a Maker is currently available for free download in the Apple App Store for iOS devices, and will be available for Android devices later in 2018.
Jibo creators include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and industry pioneer, Cynthia Breazeal. Jibo was named one the “Best Inventions of 2017” by TIME Magazine.
To learn more about Jibo, visit www.jibo.com.
