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Open Roberta Lab

Open Roberta Lab is a free online environment for learning to program robots and microcontrollers.

Place
#16 of 26
Score
6.5
Open Roberta Lab's website

What Open Roberta Lab is

Open Roberta Lab is a free online environment for learning to program robots and microcontrollers. Its NEPO language uses graphical blocks that learners arrange with drag and drop. Users can work with many robot and hardware systems, including Arduino boards, Calliope mini, LEGO Mindstorms EV3, micro:bit, and NAO. Open Roberta Sim provides virtual robots for programming when physical hardware is unavailable, and the Lab also includes an integration for using artificial neural networks in NEPO programs. It can be accessed through a standard browser on a PC, Mac, or tablet without installation; iOS and Android apps are also listed. Programming is possible without an account, while an account allows programs and settings to be saved. Sharing programs or publishing them in the gallery requires a verified account with an email address. The service includes classroom tools and a curriculum library and is described for mixed learner levels. Its initiative aims to engage children, young people, trainees, and employees with STEM topics and technology.

Good

  • Free to use in a browser without installation.
  • Supports a wide range of robots and hardware.
  • Simulator allows programming virtual robots.
  • Programming is available without an account.
  • Includes classroom tools and a curriculum library.

Watch out

  • Sharing or gallery publishing requires a verified email account.
  • Saving programs and settings requires an account.

Who it suits

It suits learners and educators exploring block-based programming with robots or microcontrollers. The simulator also makes it an option when physical hardware is not available.

Verdict

Open Roberta Lab combines visual programming, hardware support, and simulation in a free learning environment. Keep in mind that saving requires an account and public sharing requires email verification.

Plans and prices

From Open Roberta Lab's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeFree to use · browser-based · no installation required

The facts

Each one read from Open Roberta Lab's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Accounts
Users can program without an account, while an account enables saving programs and settings for later use in the Lab.checked 3 Oct 2001
Data retention
The privacy information says visitor IP addresses are automatically deleted from server log files after 30 days.checked 3 Oct 2001
Hardware support
The Lab supports multiple robot and hardware systems, including LEGO Mindstorms EV3, Calliope mini, and NAO.checked 3 Oct 2001
Intended users
The Roberta initiative describes its aim as engaging children, young people, trainees, and employees with STEM topics and technology.checked 3 Oct 2001
Neural networks
The Lab includes an integration for creating and using artificial neural networks in NEPO programs.checked 3 Oct 2001
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.checked 3 Oct 2001
Purpose
Open Roberta Lab is an online programming environment for robots and microcontrollers, aimed at helping people learn programming.checked 3 Oct 2001
Sharing limit
Sharing programs with others or publishing them in the gallery requires a verified account with an email address.checked 3 Oct 2001
Simulation
The Open Roberta Sim lets users program virtual robots when they do not have hardware available.checked 3 Oct 2001
Support
The maker directs users to its Wiki and FAQ and offers email support for questions that remain unresolved.checked 3 Oct 2001
Visual programming
NEPO is a graphical, block-based programming language that users assemble with drag and drop.checked 3 Oct 2001

Where it runs

Browser access
The platform can be used without installation from devices with a standard internet browser, including PCs, Macs, and tablets.checked 3 Oct 2001

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