Lego has debuted an exciting new sub-brand at the 2017 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) that is geared toward teaching children how to code. It's called Boost and is meant for children aged seven and up. Lego has a similar product in its Mindstorms line, but that is aimed at older kids or young adults.
The starter set (priced at $160) comes with three Boost bricks containing tech to allow movement, lights, and sensors. The kit also includes 840 traditional Lego blocks that kids will use to build their interactive creations.
Out of the box, users are equipped to build five distinct models: Vernie the Robot, Frankie the Cat, the Guitar 4000, the Multi-Tool Rover 4, and a machine that can automatically assemble small Lego creations, called an Autobuilder. Each model has its own fun, unique abilities, including a robot that tells fart jokes and a cat that farts when you feed it too much (kids really like farts).
The kit works in conjunction with a companion app where kids are given step-by-step instructions on building and coding their creations. The code is displayed in the form of icons so that even children who do not know how to read can easily learn how to code.
The rapid development and lowering cost of robotics is allowing for the spread of automation. Toys such as Lego Boost introduce children to an ever-expanding field of future opportunity.
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