The Code & Go® Robot Mouse Activity Set is an educational toy designed for children aged 4-9 to introduce them to basic programming concepts, critical thinking, coding skills, and problem-solving. The set includes a programmable robot mouse named Colby, a modular maze grid, maze walls, tunnels, coding cards, and activity cards.
Function Description:
The primary function of the Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set is to teach children the fundamentals of coding through hands-on play. Users program Colby the Robot Mouse to navigate mazes, reach a piece of cheese, and perform specific actions. The programming is done by pressing a sequence of directional and action buttons on Colby's back, which then executes the commands when the "GO" button is pressed. The activity cards provide structured mazes and challenges, guiding children through increasingly complex programming sequences. The tactile and color-coded coding cards help children visualize and remember the steps in their programs.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Power: Colby the Robot Mouse requires 3 x 1.5V AAA batteries (not included).
- Movement: Colby moves one step at a time, with each step being approximately five inches (12.5 cm).
- Turns: Colby rotates 90 degrees in place for left and right turns.
- Memory: Colby can store up to 40 programmed steps.
- Speed Modes: The mouse has two speed settings: Normal Mode (for maze board use) and Hyper Mode (for playing on other surfaces).
- Components:
- 1 Robot mouse (Colby)
- 1 Cheese wedge
- 30 Coding cards (tactile and color-coded)
- 22 Maze walls
- 16 Maze grid pieces (connect to form a large board)
- 10 Double-sided Activity Cards (totaling 20 activities)
- 3 Tunnels
- 1 Supplementary tactile booklet (includes mouse button outline and 20 activities)
- 1 Braille sticker sheet for the 30 Coding Cards
Usage Features:
- Assembling the Grid: The 16 maze grid pieces snap together to form a large square maze board or can be configured in various ways.
- Using Maze Walls and Tunnels: Maze walls are inserted into the lines on the board to create pathways. Tunnels can be placed over gaps in the maze.
- Programming Colby: Colby has seven buttons on its back:
- FORWARD (Blue Arrow Button): Moves Colby forward one step.
- REVERSE (Yellow Arrow Button): Moves Colby backward one step.
- ROTATE RIGHT (Purple Arrow Button): Turns Colby 90 degrees to the right.
- ROTATE LEFT (Orange Arrow Button): Turns Colby 90 degrees to the left.
- ACTION (Red Oval-shaped Button): Triggers one of three random actions: move forward and back, loud "SQUEAAKK," or "CHIRP-CHIRP-CHIRP" with light-up eyes. This button is used for specific activity card challenges.
- GO (Round Green Button): Executes the programmed sequence of up to 40 steps.
- CLEAR (Yellow Oval Shaped Button): Clears Colby's memory of all previous commands, indicated by a confirmation tone. This button should be pressed and held before entering a new set of commands to ensure accurate execution.
- Activity Cards: The set includes 20 activity cards with pre-designed mazes, ranging from basic to more complex, to guide children through programming challenges. The goal for each maze is to program Colby to reach the cheese in the fewest possible steps, passing under tunnels where indicated.
- Customization: Children can build their own mazes using the grid pieces, walls, and tunnels, or even use household items. Colby can also maneuver on most surfaces, independent of the maze board.
- Tactile and Braille Support: The coding cards are tactile, and a braille sticker sheet is provided for the coding cards, making the set accessible. A supplementary tactile booklet includes the mouse button outline and the 20 activities.
- Feedback: Colby lights up and makes sounds (chirping, "SQUEAAKK") during operation, providing auditory and visual feedback. Low battery power is indicated by Colby moving off course, failing to turn 90 degrees, beeping, and flashing its eyes, with the GO button becoming disabled.
Maintenance Features:
- Battery Installation/Replacement: Requires 3 x 1.5V AAA batteries and a Phillips screwdriver. Batteries should be installed or replaced by an adult, following correct polarity.
- Battery Care:
- Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries.
- Do not mix new and used batteries.
- Do not recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
- Charge rechargeable batteries under adult supervision and remove them from the toy before charging.
- Use only batteries of the same or equivalent type.
- Do not short-circuit the supply terminals.
- Remove weak or dead batteries from the product.
- Remove batteries if the product will be stored for an extended period.
- Store at room temperature.
- Cleaning: Wipe the surface of the unit with a dry cloth.
- Handling: Do not push the robot mouse forward or backward with force, as this can damage the wheels and axles.
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