Modular robotics as a tool for education and entertainment

We developed I-BLOCKS, a modular electronic building block system and here we show how this system has proven useful, especially as an educational tool that allows hands-on learning in an easy manner. Through user studies we find limitations of the first I-BLOCKS system, and we show how the system can be improved by introducing a graphical user interface for authoring the contents of the individual I-BLOCK. This is done by developing a new cubic block shape with new physical and electrical connectors, and by including new embedded electronics. We developed and evaluated the I-BLOCKS as a manipulative technology through studies in both schools and hospitals, and in diverse cultures such as in Denmark, Finland, Italy and Tanzania.