BluPants vs mBlock

BluPants is a free, web-based coding environment for programming robots. It is designed for children of all ages, including pre-readers, and supports block-based visual programming that can progress to Python. One environment supports BeagleBone, LEGO EV3, Raspberry Pi, and AlphaBot2-Pi, with robot-building tutorials and SD card images listed for several builds. Lessons move from basic commands to more complex computer-science challenges. Activities include moving a robot, picking up or dropping objects, transporting items, and using repetition loops. BluPants describes learning with a real robot in person or remotely, including a remote lesson using a distance sensor and loops. Lessons are compatible with online classes, and activities are linked to Hour of Code. The curriculum library runs in a browser, but there is no robot simulator.

mBlock 5 is a free coding platform for robotics, STEM, and coding learning. It supports block-based coding and Python, with a one-click switch between the two. Users can create games and animations, then program Makeblock robots and other open-resource hardware. The platform includes AI and IoT features, with integrations described for Microsoft Cognitive Services and Google deep learning. Supported devices listed include CyberPi, mBot Neo/mBot2, mBot, mBot Ranger, Ultimate 2.0, mBot Mega, mTiny, Codey Rocky, and xLight. The Extension Builder allows third parties to develop device and sprite extensions. mBlock is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The web version supports direct Bluetooth or serial connections, but not the Bluetooth dongle. The mBlock Python editor programs devices only for CyberPi, and its Upload mode uses MicroPython rather than third-party Python 3 libraries. The Extension Builder works only in Google Chrome.