Learn by Doing: DJI's RoboMaster S1 Teaches Its Users Robotics and Programming
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
People often say that the best way to learn is by doing. It seems like DJI takes this old adage seriously as they continue to put out products that emphasize educating in an interactive way. That's definitely what we're getting with RoboMaster S1, their newly released robot. Named after their international robotics competition, DJI RoboMaster, this robot is being advertised as both educational and fun.
RoboMaster S1’s advertised features are reminiscent of the Tello drone, which was also advertised as an interactive learning tool. Along with typical robotic features, the S1 has different gameplay and educational features that can go hand-in-hand to create a fun experience for users to learn robotics, programming, and AI.
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
This robot was crafted by DJI’s top engineers to give learners hands-on experience assembling and programming a robot that is also capable of teaching physics and mathematics. From a robotics standpoint, your hands-on experience comes from building the S1 yourself. Yes, yourself! RoboMaster S1 has a modular design, meaning users can put their robot together like a 3D puzzle. As for programming, RoboMaster S1 supports Scratch 3.0 and Python coding, making it accessible to beginner and experienced programmers.
Additionally, RoboMaster S1 has a companion app that features numerous educational resources like "Road to Mastery", a series of projects designed to "enhance programming, robotics, and AI to strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills”, and RoboAcademy, video courses and programming guides to enhance their knowledge of mathematics, physics, and basic programming. “These lessons let users of any level understand complex principles in an engaging way.”
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
Now, for the fun part! RoboMaster was also built to be entertaining, and it accomplishes this by having gameplay features that include FPV driving, omnidirectional movement, target shooting, and more. As part of its accessories, S1 comes with vision markers that you can use to build your own competition arena. RoboMaster is equipped with various sensors capable of recognizing claps, gestures, hits, and more, and its automatic driving feature allows the S1 to recognize simulated roads and traffic lights.
S1’s various AI applications give it Line, Vision maker, Individual, Clap, Gesture, and S1 recognition. This means that it can recognize people, gestures, itself, and more. Also, the RoboMaster app features multiple competition modes where these features work together to provide competitive gameplay with Math and Physics knowledge in addition to the aforementioned hands-on experience with robotics, programming, and AI.
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
Currently, RoboMaster S1 is available for $499 with free shipping. if you have an approved academic email address, you may qualify for the DJI educational discount program where you can get 10% off of your purchase for being a student, educator, or academic research staff. at the moment, each customer is limited to two units so attempts at more purchases will be canceled.
There’s a lot more to RoboMaster S1 than what was mentioned here. If you’d like to see for yourself, check out its product page on the DJI store site or read the article “RoboMaster S1: Unboxing & Highlights” posted by DJI.
I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron
