Children

Fisher-Price aims to get your kids coding with cute Code-a-Pillar

Fisher-Price aims to get your kids coding with cute Code-a-Pillar
The basic Code-a-Pillar kit will come with a head segment and eight segments
The basic Code-a-Pillar kit will come with a head segment and eight segments
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The motorized head section is powered by four AA-sized batteries
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The motorized head section is powered by four AA-sized batteries
Each unpowered segment has a pair of wheels to the bottom and provides a specific action or directional instruction as indicated by the symbol up top
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Each unpowered segment has a pair of wheels to the bottom and provides a specific action or directional instruction as indicated by the symbol up top
Segments are connected via USB
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Segments are connected via USB
Symbols on top of the segments indicate the action or directional instruction
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Symbols on top of the segments indicate the action or directional instruction
The basic Code-a-Pillar kit will come with a head segment and eight segments
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The basic Code-a-Pillar kit will come with a head segment and eight segments
Segments are connected via USB
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Segments are connected via USB
View gallery - 6 images

Like the Dash and Dot from our round-up of last year's best tech toys for kids, the upcoming Code-a-Pillar has been designed to teach kids how to code in an entertaining and engaging way. Fisher-Price's effort sees a wheeled caterpillar head sporting a constant smile and blinking eyes that can be connected via USB to a number of segments. The order in which the segments are connected determines the actions of the completed bot.

Aimed at learners aged from 3 to 8 years old, the toy is designed to teach the basics of coding, such as sequencing and problem solving. The motorized head section is powered by four AA-sized batteries. Each unpowered segment has a pair of wheels to the bottom and provides a specific action or directional instruction as indicated by the symbol up top.

Segments are connected via USB
Segments are connected via USB

The segments are snapped together in an order determined by the young coder to form a chain of commands. When the big power button on the head is pressed, the roving bot will follow the commands in sequence – moving straight off, playing a chirpy tune, turning right, stopping and waiting, moving off and turning left, for example.

The basic kit is due for a mid-year release for US$49.99 and will come with a head and eight light-packing segments. Two targets will also be included which give the kids something visible to aim the Code-a-Pillar at or to mark a start and finish point.

A companion mobile app is in development, which will set challengers for young learners, and additional segments will be available separately.

Product page: Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar

View gallery - 6 images
1 comment
1 comment
SamB
Can you be said to be a coder if no actual code is produced?