They started off as a fun 3D printable open source project for the classroom: now the Cannybots 3D printable racing smart-toy cars are ready to become a real consumer product and have turned to Kickstarter to collect the necessary funds and begin production. As might have been expected, since the project had already received a good amount of positive feedback, it did not take long at all for the Cannybots to zoom past their $40,000 funding goal, almost tripling it within just the first three weeks of the campaign. Pledges now stand at $109,000 with 40 days left to go at the time of writing.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1397692060/toys-20-interactive-programmable-smart-cannybots
Like the Apple-supported Anki Overdrive, the Cannybots race along through their ability to follow a line on a flat surface. This line can either be drawn on a pre-set race course or even be created as a strip of black electrical tape that runs through any flat space.
While the first Cannybots were fully 3D printable and could be downloaded off the web, these new commercial Cannybots come as a complete, ready-to-assemble kit, which includes the base and top of the bot, spoiler, motor brackets, wheels, tires, motors, an Arduino-compatible Cannybot Brain, switch, a rechargeable battery, USB cable and a screwdriver; essentially everything you need to build it, along with the instruction sheet and a set of 7 stickers to personalize the bot. Those who buy two or more kits also get a 6 feet long track.
In a way Cannybots represent the future of smart-toys and they are not exactly cheap. The early bird offer for a single car started at $89, with $29 more to get the track. In this sense, the $148 Super Early Bird double pack offer, which includes the track and the possibility to start racing right away, was probably the best option and in fact it was the first to run out. In the future, single Cannybots will retail for $119 and the double pack full retail prices will be set at $267.
The new, pre-assembled, injection molded Cannybots certainly look like more mass-produced toys than the early 3D printed versions. The project is still very much dependent on 3D printing to allow the utmost level of customization options. With the use of any ordinary home 3D printer, users can create the shells and chassis to customize their Cannybot design using simple and free browser-based CAD software from Autodesk (which is partnering with Cannybots).
Like Anki Drive – or any next gen smart toy – Cannybots can also communicate via Bluetooth with a mobile app to control the vehicles. The Cannybot Joypad App lets users race in Freestyle mode to drive the Cannybot like an RC-car, or select from Figure of 8, NASCAR, and Drag racing mode, providing lap timing and lap counting, as well as the option to switch lanes. Dueling mode can be selected for Sumo and Jousting matches. The app also enables “mood light” selection.
Along with the line-following capabilities, the Cannybots are colour sensitive, meaning that they can detect colour patterns on the floor. These can be used in various game play scenarios such as the start and finish line for racing. Perhaps more importantly, the Cannybots are programmable, which means that their evolution – even more so than their racing proficiency – is in the hands of the player. Who will be able to program their Cannybot brain and 3D print their new Cannybot bodies: this is the future of interactive gaming.
