DCU students develop innovative kit to teach kids how to code

Three teenagers have developed an exciting new product to teach children how to code in a fun and innovative way. Robotify is the brainchild of Dublin City University students, Adam Dalton (18) and Evan Darcy (18), along with BT Young Scientist winner, Shane Curran (17).

The DIY robotics kit called Robotify Alpha will teach children from the age of eight upwards how distance sensors, motors and microcontrollers work; the basics in programming and how to write their own code. This, and future products, will be of interest to parents who would like to introduce their children to the world of coding and to educators who are interested in starting their own Robotify course. 

Adam and Evan met in St. Paul’s College, Raheny, and inspired by their love of coding they founded Robotify by running a number of courses and summer camps teaching children the basics in coding and robotics.

Now both first year students in DCU - Adam is studying Business Studies and Evan is studying Engineering - their business is being supported by DCU faculty mentors and DCU Alpha, DCU’s Innovation Campus. It is in DCU Alpha where they 3D print using a homebuilt 3D printer, solder boards and package the final product.

The Robotify Alpha kit is currently available to purchase online via www.robotify.net and it will also be available through Makeshop in the Science Gallery Dublin from February.