An Edinburgh company that makes Marty the Robot, a small walking robot that helps children learn to code.
Robotical is an Edinburgh company that makes Marty the Robot, a small, programmable humanoid robot used to teach coding and robotics. Marty can walk, dance, turn and kick a ball, and it is used with Scratch, a block-based coding language, and Python, a text-based one. A newer version supports screen-free coding for the youngest pupils. It is meant to be handled, which is why pupils can build a program, then watch the robot carry it out on a desk. The company says Marty has been used in dozens of Edinburgh schools and more than 200 UK schools.
Dr Sandy Enoch founded Robotical in 2016 after finishing a PhD in robotics at the University of Edinburgh, where his thesis focused on walking robots. He wanted a gift for his niece that reflected his own field, and found only novelty toys or very expensive machines. The first model was built from scratch and its early production was paid for through a crowdfunding campaign. In 2017 about 1,000 robots shipped to customers in 54 countries. Dr Enoch's own words about the mission are: "The motivation behind the robot is to make STEM subjects more exciting and approachable for youngsters." The company has also said, "We want to be making the best educational robots in the world."
Robotical describes itself as a Leith-based company, in the northern part of Edinburgh. One article we read says that about 7,000 Marty robots had been sold through resellers around the world, across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, which means Edinburgh is the base for a global business. The company has also run community projects, including a coding competition for Edinburgh schools with CGI and the City of Edinburgh Council, in which 33 schools took part, and workshops with Hearts football club.
The culture described by business development manager Myles Bax in an interview is that of a fast-growing start-up where the effect of your work becomes visible quickly, driven by a mission to make education fun. He said the company hoped Marty would become the standard programmable robot in classrooms. His advice to others was to be confident in your ideas, open to feedback and to build relationships with experienced mentors. These are company statements, and the interview is several years old.
A company that designs a robot, sells it to schools and supports teachers needs electronics and mechanical engineers, software and app developers, educators who write lesson materials, and people in sales, partnerships and customer support. It is a good example of a robotics firm that is also about teaching, so it suits people who enjoy both technology and helping young people learn. Check the company website for current openings.
Website: www.robotical.io
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