Kids love finding new interactive toys, especially when they are combined with an app. When these new toys allow them to take their creativity to the next level and even jumpstart them into the world of STEM without them even realizing it, you know you have found something very special. Plezmo is a platform of building blocks that are full of electronics and logic, designed for kids ages 9 and up. The kids are able to design their own creations and even build onto existing toys while including technology and coding in the mix.

These building blocks provide so many amazing project opportunities in areas such as art, music, science, robotics, and more. Kids can create an alarm system for a dollhouse, invent their own games, build wearable tech, and so much more. They are compatible with existing toys and building sets, or can be used with standalone accessories. Plezmo elements work with LEGO Mindstorms, LEGO Wedo, Sphero and more all in one program!

Each element is wirelessly programmable, using an app on your tablet, with a very easy to use drag and drop Visual Programming interface which allows both simple and more complex logic to be programmed. The app even has a built in simulator that allows the programmer to test the various programs right on the screen for completeness and accuracy prior to using the elements themselves.

There are currently 11 different sensors and actuators available, along with 6 separate accessories with more currently in development. They are currently on Kickstarter with a few different kits available starting at $109. Check out their Kickstarter campaign for more details.

Interview by Marissa Schiereck of The New Product Launchpad for the Tech Podcast Network.

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HumaX Technology has produced a new friend for kids 5-10 years old: Arimoto. He is an alien friend robot who takes friends in the real life and makes them online friends. You touch the two robots together and they exchange information.

He is able to speak to you in different languages and can store an unlimited number of friends. You can play games on it and watch cartoons. You are able to take videos and find someone on a map.

It will be available in the US in June and can be purchased on Amazon. The price point is uncertain but thought to be around $200.

Interview by Allante Sparks of PLuGHiTz Live Special Events for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Robots are something we all know and love, regardless of age or experience with technology. They’re just one of those things that you want to play with and learn more about. Luckily, Meccano is looking to make all of that possible by introducing a robotic friend that can be fully programmed to do a variety of things through a multitude of input methods.

For those familiar with the Erector Sets of the past, you may have already been familiar with Meccano, just under a different name. But now, Meccano will be bringing its name, along with its flagship product the Meccanoid, to stores across the world, beginning in August of 2015.

The Meccanoid stands four feet tall and comes in a simple-to-build kit. Once built, you can use different ways to tell the companion what to do. The easiest is the “mirror” method, where you press the record button on the robot and move its limbs around. Upon pressing the play button, the robot will do what you made it do, along with playing back any audio it recorded along the way. You can also program it via a smartphone that you connect to the Meccanoid via Bluetooth, or with a computer connected with USB. There’s even the possibility of hooking up a Kinect or similar device, and having the robot follow your every move using tracking, which is really cool.

The Meccanoid can be built into a bunch of different forms, from a normal robot friend to an automated trash retriever, to anything else you can think of. With the ability to fully code the bot, the combinations of forms and functions are practically endless.

Meccano also won the Last Gadget Standing event at CES 2015 with its Meccanoid product.

Interview by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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