After successfully conquering the drone market for years, DJI began to venture out of its comfort zone and take a shot at a robotic education product. Their first product is called DJI RoboMaster S1, a robot shaped like a tank designed to be a fun medium for learning programming.
DJI is confident that their RoboMaster S1 is the most sophisticated robot that can be used to learn to program. The claim is certainly coming supporting reasons as there are 31 sensors embedded in RoboMaster S1, allowing it to recognize its environment and various objects around it.
The ability to move is supported by six 100 watt brushless type servo motors, not to mention the Mecanum wheel which allows it to move in all directions. Since it is a DJI product, it is only natural that RoboMaster S1 will pack a full-HD camera that sits on top of a dreadlock.
What is different is that the gimbal is not only tasked with stabilizing video recordings but also serves as a stand for two components of the atmosphere: infra-red beam and gel-bead blaster.
In order to minimize the potential risk of injury, what is used as a bullet is a water bead, a toy commonly used to train motorbikes for toddlers. The speed of the shooting process has also been limited so that the robot is suitable for children usage.
RoboMaster S1 only requires a mobile or tablet application to control. DJI also provides an optional gamepad that can be paired to a smartphone or tablet, but it is optional and sold separately.
The main function of RoboMaster S1 is as a learning medium, and it has been shown just after the device is removed from the box; first and foremost you need to assemble all the 46 parts.
After that, the DJI Robomaster S1 can be programmed using Python software or Scratch 3.0 which relies on a drag-and-drop interface. There are many unique functions that can be programmed, starting from the way they move to the torque distribution on all four wheels.
The abundance of sensors possessed by S1 actually opens up its potential to be used as a sort of coding guinea pig. Other functions that are not less interesting include their ability to respond to hand movements, or even the ability to issue certain reactions when meeting other S1 units.
The DJI RoboMaster S1 has been marketed for $ 499 and the company also plans to provide a bundle of “PlayMore Kit” which includes a controller, an extra water bead and its container, and an extra battery.
DJI RoboMaster S1
