DJI Ground-Based RoboMaster S1 Educational Robot

DJI has mastered the skies, now the company wants to take its first step into educational technology with the ground-based RoboMaster S1. Loaded with sensors and other technology, this robot is meant to appeal to everyone interested in tech, with its ability to offer fun while still providing a perfect platform for learning about AI, engineering, and robotics. As “Step 1” in DJI’s educational journey, the S1 is an impressive creation, with 31 sensors, a 5MP first-person view camera, an infrared and gel bead Blaster (non-toxic, by the way), and six Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control ports for adding on your own hardware later on.
Fortunate enough to have a hands-on preview of the unit, I can say that the RoboMaster S1 is an incredible device. Its core set of features and performance are top notch and it is a lot of fun. Of course, it is also highly technical. Among the highlights are machine vision technology, a powerful central processing unit, and industrial-grade CAN-bus cable for handling all the necessary data. It is immediately apparent that this isn’t your standard RC toy when you see it perfectly tracking and following a line on the floor while simultaneously reading signs in front of it to determine which direction to head next—and that was simply the first demo.

This initial demo showed two of the six built-in intelligent recognition functions, the other four being a Follow Mode, which can track a specific person using the built-in camera; a Clap Recognition, which can be programmed to recognize distinct clap patterns; Gesture Recognition, similar to many of the options built into DJI drones though the RoboMaster S1 can be programmed; and S1 Recognition, which allows it to identify other S1 units and perform programmed movements. All of this relies on the 120º FPV camera which transmits video in real-time to your connected devices.

The programmability is emphasized with the S1, since users can write Scratch 3.0 or Python code to control many functions of the robot. You can simple write code to control movement or you can delve into the more advanced options and increase efficiency or optimize the torque of the wheels. Each of the wheels is quite unique, as well. The Mecanum wheels each have 12 rollers on them for completely omnidirectional movement—this means forward, backward, and side-to-side movements are possible. A custom brushless motor ensures clean movement, too.
   
Get yours at B&H 

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Is In The App Store.

From the makers of Pokémon GO, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is the real-world augmented reality (AR) game inspired by the Wizarding World that puts magic in the hands of players worldwide. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is co-developed and co-published by Niantic, Inc. and WB Games San Francisco as part of Portkey Games, a label dedicated to creating new Wizarding World mobile and video games inspired by J.K. Rowling's original stories that place players at the center of their own adventure.

Realize Your Wizarding Potential

A calamity has befallen the wizarding world, causing Foundables—magical artefacts, creatures, people, and even memories—to mysteriously appear in the Muggle world. As a new recruit of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, you’ll work with witches and wizards from across the globe to solve the mystery of The Calamity and keep magic safe from Muggle eyes.

The Magic Is All Around You

As you step outside and explore the world, the Map will reveal Traces of magic that indicate the location of Foundables. These Traces are found at various real-world locations and trigger richly detailed 3D encounters in full 360-degree advanced AR. You’ll need to cast a variety of spells to defeat the confounding magic surrounding the Foundables in order to safely return them to the wizarding world. Keep an eye out for other things that will aid you on your journey including Inns that replenish Spell Energy, ingredients that can be used to brew potions, and even Portkeys that can whisk you away to iconic wizarding world locations.

Stronger United

Gather your friends to take on even bigger magical feats such as Wizarding Challenges, real-time cooperative multiplayer battles against dangerous foes. To overcome the stronger threats and discover rarer Foundables, you’ll need to team up and strategize with your fellow witches and wizards and specialize in different magical Professions—Auror, Magizoologist, and Professor—that each have their own unique skills and abilities that come in handy at different times.

Ready your wand, alert your friends, and be ready to protect the wizarding world from a global calamity. Your Wizarding adventure awaits!

Stay tuned for the latest at WizardsUnite.com