A: The Jade Robot is an expandable mobile robot with a multitude of sensors. Using the built in user interface, you can experiment with basic robot applications such as object avoidance, light seeking and wall following as well as program the robot with simple movements or use the various sensors to create custom behaviors.

A: On the top of the Jade Robot, there are all aspect (all the way around the robot) light and object sensors. On the bottom of the robot is the spectrometer and line following sensors.

A: Spectroscopy is the science of studying the interaction between energy and matter. The Jade Robot’s spectrometer shines different colours of light (which are at different wavelengths and different energy levels) and measures the reflection of each colour to make a spectrographic waveform of the material the Jade Robot is on top of.

A: The link to “Jade Support”, the Jade Robot’s Scratch/C programming interface can be fund under the “Resources” tab.

A: Yes. The Jade Robot will work with Windows machines (XP and later), Mac (OS 10.7 (“Lion”) and later), ChromeOS (44 and later) and Linux (Ubuntu 15.04 and later, Fedora 22 and later).

A: We are working on creating interfaces for smart phones and tablets.

A: Systems used for programming the Jade Robot require the Chrome browser (version 45 and later) as well as a Bluetooth Adapter (Bluetooth 2.0 and later).

A: The Jade Robot has a built in 2200mAh Lithium Polymer batter for more than seven hours of classroom use.

A: The Jade Robot can be programmed on the robot itself using the built-in user interface. There are two applications, the first creating a sequence of movements and the second using the light and object sensors to determine actions when they detect different light levels and objects around the robot. The Jade Robot can also be programmed using a Bluetooth connection from a Mac/PC/Chromebook in “Scratch” or “C” to create custom applications.

A: There are a number of 3D printed expansion hardware devices that have been created for the front mount of the Jade Robot that includes a pen holder and a camera/gripper assembly. For these hardware expansions, there are servo controllers and a digital camera port built into the Jade Robot that can be taken advantage of. Along with the devices available to the front mount, there are two independently powered I2C ports on the top of the Jade Robot that can be used for a variety of different devices, including remote weather sensing, accelerometers as well as simple LEDs to add to the six LEDs controllable by user applications.

A: Canadian and US orders are shipped via CanadaPost with 2-3 business day expected delivery. European and other destinations typically take 5-7 business days.

A: The Jade Robot is a great product to expand a retailer’s catalog and we would like to talk to you about opportunities for distributing the Jade Robot. Please contact us at info@mimetics.ca for more information.

A: Download and unzip the “Jade Action” chrome extension available in “Resources” and install it in the Chrome Browser

A: Yes, Jade Action can be used to control the Jade Robot without the Camera or Gripper

A: Yes, look under “Resources” for the .stl files and links to Camera and Servo devices

A: The servos add a significant drain to the Jade Robot’s battery with the battery life dropping to two to three hours, depending on usage

A: No more than 115 grams (4 ounces) as any additional weight will cause the Jade Robot to tip forwards on its tracks

A: 640x480 or VGA. Frames are sent to the controlling PC at the rate of four or five per second

A: Dice are particularly good objects to be picked up. Any object that is approximately 1cm (0.4”) in size is ideal. Note that smaller objects can get jammed in the Jade Robot’s tracks

A: Anywhere, you can use the Pen to plot the robot following light, working in some of the simple programming modes available on the Jade Robot’s User Interface or write some come in Scratch.

A: Cheap. We’ve used butcher paper, wrapping paper and chart paper. Chart paper is generally preferable as it is precut.

A: Just wipe it off with a damp towel. We recommend not drawing on carpeting as it can be more difficult to remove pen marks from the fibers.