What Are the Best Programmable Robots for Physics Students?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around suggestions for programmable robots that would be suitable gifts for a physics student, particularly focusing on options that encourage creativity and skill development in programming and electronics. The scope includes personal gift ideas, programming challenges, and educational applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests a microprocessor kit as a potential gift.
  • Another participant recommends LEGO Mindstorms, highlighting its creative potential and the development of programming skills.
  • There is a humorous suggestion to sing a song to the fiancée, indicating a light-hearted tone in the discussion.
  • A participant mentions the impressive capabilities of LEGO Technic, suggesting it as a viable option for creativity and challenge.
  • Another participant supports the idea of LEGO Mindstorms, noting its evolution and the programming languages developed for it.
  • One participant humorously suggests asking for a German car, specifically a BMW, as a playful alternative gift idea.
  • A different approach is mentioned involving The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and its construction set, which allows for game creation and requires programming skills.
  • A participant shares a link to a website, indicating interest in tech-related products.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of suggestions without reaching a consensus on a single best option. Multiple competing views remain regarding the most suitable programmable robot or kit.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions may depend on personal preferences, prior experience with programming, and the specific educational goals of the individual. The discussion does not resolve which option is definitively better.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in programmable robotics, gift ideas for STEM students, or those looking to enhance their programming skills through creative projects.

DrummingAtom
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Hey all, my fiance needs ideas for xmas presents for me. When she asks me I really have no clue what I want, seeing that I'll be on break from school soon I think it would be neat to get some kind of programmable robot. Although, I'm completely new to programming and really have no clue as to which robot I would want.

Ultimately, I would want something that I can make or put together that has a ton of creativity and a challenge. Also, it would have to be something that I can develop a skill from and then apply it to my schoolwork later on. Which is why I'm thinking electronics/programming ideas.

Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Microprocessor kit?
 
DrummingAtom said:
Hey all, my fiance needs ideas for xmas presents for me. When she asks me I really have no clue what I want...
I find this situation priceless! :biggrin:

As a total guilty pleasure, you should check out the LEGO Mindstorm!
 
sing this song to her :biggrin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY
 
rootX said:
sing this song to her :biggrin:

And get her a red cashmere sweater...:wink:
 
Get a hologram making kit.
 
Gokul43201 said:
LEGO

Damn, my semi joke reply was going to be LEGO. The stuff you can do with technic now is amazing. You can get little gearboxes and everything.

I may acutally get myself some for christmas.
 
Last edited:
I second mindstorm! LEGO is not a joke reply at all these days, it fits the original post quite well.

http://www.google.com/m/url?client=...sQFjAH&usg=AFQjCNFb-zBSrbpQVJfx3pCGrXHeoUU4AA

They have even developed their own programming languages for developing the software to control the robots. Pretty cool if you ask me, hah! =D They have come a long way (though LEGO has always ruled anyways, of course).

(I've actually never used mindstorm, but it sure looks like a great/fun product.)
 
DrummingAtom said:
Hey all, my fiance needs ideas for xmas presents for me. When she asks me I really have no clue what I want, seeing that I'll be on break from school soon I think it would be neat to get some kind of programmable robot. Although, I'm completely new to programming and really have no clue as to which robot I would want.

Ultimately, I would want something that I can make or put together that has a ton of creativity and a challenge. Also, it would have to be something that I can develop a skill from and then apply it to my schoolwork later on. Which is why I'm thinking electronics/programming ideas.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Ask for a german car. I heard BMWs look nice in the parking lots of a college. They are awesome machines, and you hardly get bored of playing with one
 
  • #10
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and the TES Construction set.

I'm doing that right now. Once you learn it's programming language (it's almost identical to C++) you can pretty much make your own video game within it. It's a challenge and requires a lot of creativity.
 
  • #11
I love this website.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
 

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