GYROBOT – Gyroscopic Kids Robotics Toys | Age 8+

By Thames & Kosmos, USA

STEM: Science-Tech-Eng-Maths
The 21 Century focus. For young Leaders of the future.

GYROBOT – Gyroscopic kids Robotic toys: Our children are gifted with the power to invent and achieve amazing technological feats. It’s through creative play that they learn how to exploit these skills.

Ever mused over how ship captains find their destinations in the middle of an ocean without landmarks? Ever wondered how pilots navigate their planes in the dark or in thick cloud cover? Perhaps you’ve also found yourself asking just how tight-rope walkers make defying gravity look so easy? At the core of all these is the principle of the Gyroscope.

A gyroscope works using the principle of ‘angular momentum’, or the energy it gains when it moves in a particular direction (or angle). It is made up of a spinning wheel or disc, as well as in most cases other moving parts. It helps with navigation of planes and ships, and plays a part in such things as a gyrocompass and artificial horizon.

Gyroscopes control countless devices in their ability to balance. From smartphones, tablets, and also video game controllers to airplanes and space telescopes, gyroscopes perform tasks ranging from the everyday to the extraordinary.

The word ‘gyroscope’ comes from the Greek words ‘gyro’ for circle or rotation, and ‘skopeein’, meaning to see. It was originally coined by a scientist who built the device in an experiment to see Earth’s rotation.

A unique motor-driven gyroscope is at the core of each of the 7 models in these gyroscopic engineering toys. Furthermore, hands-on experiments with the motorized gyroscope unit make these laws of physics tangible and also easy to comprehend.

The Science of Gyroscopes
The gyroscope is in essence a rapidly spinning wheel mounted in such a way that its axle can move in any direction. Because the wheel and axle can spin freely, secured in a metal frame, it is able to move in any direction. Furthermore, because of the laws of physics, the gyroscope reacts to external forces differently than a non-spinning wheel –  it resists forces in certain directions.

Gyroscopes therefore use this behaviour in all sorts of applications related to balance, rotation, and orientation. Although gyroscopes are used in very sophisticated devices, they are essentially simple mechanical instruments. A child’s spinning toy top is a simple example of a gyroscope.

Experiment Manual: Click here

Learn:
• the science of gyroscopic devices and the indispensable role they play in our lives
• the principles of physics that keep the robot balanced, making it appear to defy gravity
• build 7 models including a gyroscopic robot, a balancing personal vehicle, a gyro horizon (or artificial horizon), a gyrocompass, a balancing game, a tightrope walker, and a flight simulator.

The GYROBOT – Gyroscopic kids Robotic toys includes:
• More than 100 building pieces. They can be combined to create the 7 different models in the manual, or reconfigured into many other designs limited only by your imagination
• In addition, a full-colour, 24-page, illustrated experiment manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions on how to assemble the models, as well as scientific explanations.

Awards:
• Parents’ Choice Gold Winner
• Oppenheim Platinum Award Winner
• Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Kid’s Products
• PAL Award Winner

Age 8+.
3 AAA batteries (not included).
Box Dimensions: 37 x 29 x 8 cm
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3.

Thames & Kosmos GYROBOT – Gyroscopic kids Robotic toys Age 8+