Engino CODING LAB: ERP MINI

Elsewhere in this issue, I’ve already reviewed the Ginobot from Engino which is a great platform to start your coding journey with. If you want to start getting a little more advanced the ERP Mini ups the ante and is basically a more advanced type of construction kit. Not in the construction itself (that’s fairly universal across the Engino range) but in the hardware department. Where the Ginobot mainly relies on using an app to programme and control your vehicle, this one has its own pad that fits on the kit and allows you to programme it directly with no app when using the Manual mode. There are three other types programming available as well as the Manual method: Simulator, Flow Diagram and Text, allowing you to choose whichever is most suitable for you or any children you may be trying to teach.

As well as this, the Circuit Board in the controller has 4 separate ports allowing you to attach up to 4 peripherals. The main form of connection when not using the manual input is via Bluetooth or Wifi so these ports are free to add all sorts of funky things to your robot from the Engino range or beyond. It also comes with 2 proximity sensors and a high torque DC motor with 2 speed options. All of this is pretty pointless without any kind of instructions of course and, thankfully, this kit comes with instructions to build 2 different kinds of models as well as exercises you can undertake with them to help get your programming in to gear. The instructions are clear and nicely laid out, making it easy for even an old-timer like me to feel pretty chuffed with telling a lump of plastic to do a certain task and watching it happen! RRP £175.91

Click here for more info