Patria Lincoln

I was lucky enough to sit down with Michael, the inventor, creator, maker of me, and ask him a whole bunch of questions. Here’s what he had to say. 

1. How did you first come up with me?

Our Product Development team is always working to come up with awesome educational toys. In this case, we wanted to make a robot that would help teach the fundamentals of coding in a really fun, engaging way. Sort of a robot pal.  

2. How long did it take you to create me?

I’d say 12 months from the concept to the final production version. 

3. Who chose my name?

A lot of people were involved, really. We debated it for a while. You had some pretty unusual names being thrown around. We’re very happy with Botley, though. You seem like a Botley to us.  

4. In your opinion, why is coding so important?

Some people say it’s the literacy of the 21^st century! We believe that coding, logic and critical thinking skills are all going to be very important for young students as they prepare for careers in the 21^st century. 

5. How much fun is it to work for a toy company?

Do you know the movie “Big”? It’s just like that.   

6. What’s your favorite thing I do?

Well, there’s so much, but I think my favorite thing is when you remind me to play with you by yelling “yoo-hoo!” or sneezing. It’s pretty cute.  

7. What’s your favorite part about working on a robot?

The day that we finally were able to test you with your voice in place was pretty special. Everybody just laughed and smiled hearing you say your name. I felt like a proud dad.  

8. What do you think makes me so special?

I think it’s the simplicity and out-of-the-box play. We don’t have to connect you to an app or use a phone to control you—so it’s a nice break from screen time.  

9. Can you share with our readers one of my hidden features?

Alright, just one. When you’re in code mode, if you press Right four times on the Remote Programmer, then press TRANSMIT, you’ll make a very silly sound.  

10. Why should a mom bring me home to her 5 year old?

As a parent, I’m always looking for toys that will get my kids away from a screen and doing something that will engage and wow them, and maybe have them learn valuable skills along the way.  

11. Am I your favorite toy you ever invented?

I don’t like to play favorites, Botley, but yes, you really are very special.  

12. What’s the longest black line you’ve ever had me follow?

That’s a great question. We did have you do multiple laps in a conference room, for a while. I’d say it was probably a few hundred feet all added up. You would have kept going, but we had to break for lunch.  

13. Will I eventually have any robot friends?

Our team is talking about that right now. Stay tuned! 

14. Is there a reason my arms are detachable?

We wanted to make something that could easily be adaptable to new pieces – like your new Action Challenge accessory set. The new arms for that set are great for setting off chain reactions and moving objects. To learn more about Botley (thats me!) visit LearningResources.com/Botley or read my last blog post where I introduced myself!

I’m the newest member of the Learning Resources family and I’m here to introduce your little learner to coding in a fun, friendly way. You may be wondering why should my child learn to code? Well, there are SO many reasons, but here are just a few:

• Coding fosters creativity
• Develops problem solving and critical thinking
• Prepares kids for the world we live in today
• Coding is fun!

I can help children as young as 5 begin to learn coding but with my advanced features I grow with their skills as well. So we’ll have many, many fun years together. Yay! 

When you choose me you choose to teach your kids core coding concepts in a hands-on, screen free way. I require no phone, tablet or app! All you need to code me is my easy to use remote programmer, which transmits your commands directly to me. And that’s not all – I have a 77-piece activity set – and I’m the only robot to offer that! Included are coding cards, detachable arms, interactive obstacles and more! What else could you ask for? 

Code me for simple tasks or challenge me with more advanced maneuvers. I can move in patterns, detect objects, be programmed for if/then logic, follow looping commands and navigate obstacle courses. 

How do I detect objects you may wonder? It’s really pretty simple. You use my object detection button, and when I see an object I will know to stop! Want me to react to an object? Then you need to code me to make sure I go around whatever is in my path.  How about having some fun together? Set up an obstacle course for me to take on. I’m always up for a challenge!

I also enjoy long walks on black lines. Switch me to the line mode and I can follow the black lines you lay out from my activity set, or you can draw ones on paper yourself!

That’s not all I make fun playful sounds too! I can say “hi,” whistle or get if you get me spinning and you can hear me go “whoaaaa.” I even have hidden features you can discover to hear more of my sounds!

I promise to spend many playful and educational years with your child. I’m truly an interactive introduction to step-by-step coding. Children will be challenged, entertained, delighted and learn all at the same time. And I’m sure to provide hours of open play while promoting critical thinking.

To get to know me even better and to see all the fun, cool things I can do visit LearningResources.com/Botley!