BluPants vs Virtual Robotics Toolkit
BluPants
blupants.comVirtual Robotics Toolkit
virtualroboticstoolkit.comSide by side
| Figure | BluPants | Virtual Robotics Toolkit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.1 (#10) | 7.0 (#24) |
| Headquarters | Merchandise Mart Plaza, Merchandise Mart, Illinois 60654, United States | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Integrations | The homepage links BluPants activities to Hour of Code. | The download page lists EV3 Software as required for programming EV3 robots, and LEGO Digital Designer and LDraw All In One Installer as required to build custom robots. |
| Programming | Students can begin with block based visual programming and advance to Python. | Users can program virtual robots with the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 programming environment. |
| Purpose | BluPants says its goal is to make robotics and programming accessible to everyone. | The toolkit lets users build, program, and simulate LEGO MINDSTORMS robots. |
Plans
In their own words
BluPants
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.
Virtual Robotics Toolkit
Virtual Robotics Toolkit has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.