Root

A squat white hexagonal robot with glowing lights sits in front of a tablet and laptop. It has drawn a large shape like a snowflake.
Programming for all ages and levels. Photo: Root Robotics

Root is a little mobile robot designed to teach kids logic and coding skills. It draws, plays music, lights up, and can drive on metal-backed whiteboards with the help of magnets in its belly.

Creator

iRobot

(Originally developed by Root Robotics, acquired by iRobot in 2019.)

Year
2018
Country
United States 🇺🇸
Categories
Features
Meet Root, iRobot's coding robot. Video: iRobot

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Appearance

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Did you know?

When Root drives on a whiteboard using its magnets, it relies on sensors and corrective algorithms to compensate for gravity.

A squat white hexagon with a black circle, glowing blue lines, yellow button nose and two blue glowing eyes moves on a whiteboard with a drawing of the Earth and stars.
Root stays on task. Photo: Root Robotics

History

The idea for Root was formed when co-founders Zee Dubrovsky, Raphael Cherney, and Harvard University computer science Professor Radhika Nagpal were working together at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. After successfully piloting and refining Root in homes and classrooms, Root Robotics successfully launched a Kickstarter campaign, which received support from over 1,800 backers. The company then raised capital from investors and secured a worldwide licensing agreement with Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development for exclusive use of Root's technology and its unique programming interface. The company, based in Cambridge, Mass., was acquired by iRobot in 2019. The following year, iRobot launched a new version of the robot, Root rt0.

Six Root robots with a variety of 3D printed and other accesories.
3D-printed accessories enhance Root. Photo: Root Robotics

Specs

Overview

Capable of climbing and navigating on metal-backed whiteboards. Progressively challenging programming levels, beginning with graphical interface. Works with dry-erase markers, and can also erase.

Status

Ongoing

Year

2018

Website
Width
13.4 cm
Height
4.5 cm
Length
14.9 cm
Weight
0.5 kg
Speed
0.4 km/h
Sensors

32 color sensors, four capacitive touch zones, two front bumpers, two light sensing eyes, two wheel encoders, 3D gyroscope, 3D accelerometer, infrared cliff sensor, magnetic surface sensor, battery level monitor

Actuators

Two drive motors, one marker lift/drop motor, one eraser lift/drop motor

Degrees of Freedom (DoF)
4
Materials

Injection molded plastic

Compute

Two 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontrollers, Bluetooth Low Energy, speaker

Software

Root Coding app (coding interface), Root Academy subscription (learning content). Compatible with iPad and iPhone running iOS 10 or later.

Power

2600-mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery

Cost
$199