MOSS - The Dynamic Robot Construction Kit

Anakin with C-3PO

Be a techie or not, we all love Robots..! A robot has always been an integral part of our Sci-Fi fantasy since our childhood. And when we think of building up a Robot, we can imagine Anakin Skywalker fixing up C-3PO from Star Wars with all those wires and circuits. But building up robots now is no more complicated. After the concept of modular smartphones, here we have a whole new concept of building up modular robots.

Cubelets

A couple of years back a company called Modular Robotics came up with Cubelets. These were cube shaped robotic modules which could snap together with the help of magnets. These were like building blocks which had different functions and when interlocked together, could work autonomously like a robot. It was a great Robot Construction Kit for kids.

Ball Joints

Recently Modular Robotics came up with an upgrade to the Cubelets with the idea of MOSS. Just like in Cubelets, MOSS cubes come in different colors and each color has its different function. There are different cubes for sensing, communication, power, movement and so on. And each cube has magnets at its corners. However the cubes don’t attach to each other directly, it is done with the help of small steel ball bearings. This gives MOSS freedom of movement. If we attach two cubes from a corner with a single ball bearing, they can swing. If we attach two cubes with two ball bearings from adjacent corners, we get a hinge. And if we attach two cubes with three or four ball bearings along its face, we get a solid base. Along with magnetic connectivity, the ball bearings provide link between the cubes for data transmission.

MOSS robot models

Thus you can build different models with these cubes without any wires and complex programming. It is just like building up models using LEGO blocks.  All you need to do is attach a battery cube, a sensor cube, a Bluetooth cube and some wheels and you’ll have a full functioning sensing robot which you can control from your smartphone. The cubes come pre-programmed, but if you want to add some personalized functions, soon you will be able to do that after the company releases the Software Tools. There are different MOSS dedicated mobile apps like MOSS Control, MOSS Sketch, MOSS Log and MOSS Dashboard to communicate with the robot from your smartphone. These apps will soon be available on iPhone and Android.

MOSS modular cubes

The MOSS is currently available for pre-order and the delivery is expected by April-May. It is offering various kits to Kickstarter backers from Starter Kit at $59 to Mega Bundle Kit at $949. There are also some Expansion packs available including Bluetooth add-on and Light sensor add-on. Overall MOSS is a fun way of building up robots and is especially good for kids, but it is by no means cheap. However, if you are a robotics enthusiast and particularly love building blocks, you definitely have something to look forward to..!! Visit www.modrobotics.com for more information.