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Open Roberta Lab

lab.open-roberta.org

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Spec score 7.6 #20 of 26 in Robotics Education Software

What it is

Open Roberta Lab is a free online programming environment for learning with robots and microcontrollers. Its NEPO language uses graphical blocks assembled by drag and drop. The Lab supports hardware including Arduino boards, Calliope mini, LEGO Mindstorms EV3, micro:bit, NAO, LEGO SPIKE Prime and many other listed systems. Open Roberta Sim provides virtual robots for users without physical equipment. An integration also lets NEPO programs create and use artificial neural networks. The service runs in a standard browser on a PC, Mac or tablet without installation, and iOS and Android apps are listed. Programming works without an account; an account saves programs and settings, while sharing or gallery publication requires a verified email account. The site is hosted on Fraunhofer IAIS servers in Germany, with personal data kept within the EU. Visitor IP addresses are deleted from server logs after 30 days. The initiative targets children, young people, trainees and employees exploring STEM.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Open Roberta Lab is an online programming environment for robots and microcontrollers, aimed at helping people learn programming.Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org
Intended users
The Roberta initiative describes its aim as engaging children, young people, trainees, and employees with STEM topics and technology.Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org
Support
The maker directs users to its Wiki and FAQ and offers email support for questions that remain unresolved.Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org
Accounts
Users can program without an account, while an account enables saving programs and settings for later use in the Lab.Read 3 Oct 2026 · roberta-home.de
Browser access
The platform can be used without installation from devices with a standard internet browser, including PCs, Macs, and tablets.Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org
Data retention
The privacy information says visitor IP addresses are automatically deleted from server log files after 30 days.Read 3 Oct 2026 · roberta-home.de
Hardware support
The Lab supports multiple robot and hardware systems, including LEGO Mindstorms EV3, Calliope mini, and NAO.Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org
Neural networks
The Lab includes an integration for creating and using artificial neural networks in NEPO programs.Read 3 Oct 2026 · roberta-home.de
Privacy and hosting
The privacy information says the website is hosted on Fraunhofer IAIS servers in Germany and personal data are not transferred outside the EU.Read 3 Oct 2026 · roberta-home.de
Sharing limit
Sharing programs with others or publishing them in the gallery requires a verified account with an email address.Read 3 Oct 2026 · roberta-home.de
Simulation
The Open Roberta Sim lets users program virtual robots when they do not have hardware available.Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org
Visual programming
NEPO is a graphical, block-based programming language that users assemble with drag and drop.Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org

Plans and prices

Free Free Free to use · browser-based · no installation required Read 3 Oct 2026 · open-roberta.org

Every Open Roberta Lab plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free browser-based programming environment
  • Supports many robot and microcontroller systems
  • Includes a virtual robot simulator
  • NEPO uses drag-and-drop blocks
  • Programming works without an account

Limits

  • Sharing requires a verified email account
  • Physical hardware support varies by listed system
  • Content access is browser- or app-based

Who it suits

Open Roberta Lab suits learners, educators and mixed-level groups teaching robot programming with blocks. It also works for people who need a simulator or browser access without installing software.

Verdict

Open Roberta Lab provides a broad, free entry point for block-based robotics programming, with simulation when hardware is unavailable. Account verification is needed for sharing, but basic programming does not require registration.

Where Specifiction places it

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