Robotical uses Marty the robot to teach children to code
British robotics company Robotical has developed Marty, a robot allowing children to program its software via drag-and-drop programming language, Scratch. Having used fewer motors in the robot’s legs to lower production costs, Marty’s creator, Alexander Enoch, aims for the robot to be an affordable classroom tool to encourage interest in programming and engineering. The product is scheduled for market release next year for $120 per unit.

He can walk, do a funky dance, and even play soccer.

Developed by the British robotics company Robotical, Marty the robot is supposed to be simple enough for children to program. Kids can write the software that powers Marty using Scratch, a graphic programming language that lets them drag and drop commands to build the robot’s movements.

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By using fewer motors in Marty’s legs than in other two-legged robots, the company was able to lower production costs and make Marty easier to program. Marty’s creator, Alexander Enoch, says he hopes the robot will be an affordable classroom tool that get kids excited about programming and engineering.

The company plans to sell the robot in 2017 for around $120.