Cozmo 2.0 arrives this fall promising the next evolution of friendly robot sidekicks. This turbocharged version of Anki‘s beloved original brings upgrades like increased battery life, durability and processing power. But are the changes enough to crown Cozmo the ultimate coding bot for kids? Let‘s investigate the full story…
Back in 2016, three college robotics whizzes introduced a little robot called Cozmo that captivated consumers. Using advanced AI, this real-life WALL-E doppelgänger could recognize faces, hold conversations, and even teach coding fundamentals to kids.
Tragically, Cozmo‘s inventors eventually went bankrupt. But Digital Dream Labs (DDL) rescued the rights in 2019, hoping to carry the torch forward. Now after a successful $1.8 million Kickstarter campaign, DDL is gearing up to launch Cozmo 2.0 – promising the same smarts and personality that made the original so beloved, with cutting-edge upgrades befitting 2022.
So what exactly does this next-gen Cozmo bring to the table? Should parents consider it the top educational robot for their aspiring coder? Let‘s examine the key facts to find out…
A Brief History of Cozmo: Origins to Bankruptcy
The story of Cozmo begins back in 2010 at Carnegie Mellon University, where three robotics graduate students envisioned bringing their high-tech lab projects to life for ordinary people.
- Boris Sofman, Mark Palatucci and Hanns Tappeiner founded a company called Anki to pursue that dream. After early funding from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, their first product was Anki Drive – an AI-powered racing system for toy cars controlled by iPhones. *
Anki Drive garnered buzz when Apple featured it at a 2013 keynote. But Anki‘s founders had an even more ambitious robot in mind…
Thus Cozmo was born in 2016, encapsulating complex robotics research into an adorable, emotionally-intelligent palm-sized package. Priced at $180, Cozmo zoomed to prominence over that holiday season:
- 50,000 units sold in just a few months
- #5 robotics product on Amazon at launch
- 700,000+ apps downloaded to interact with Cozmo in 1st year
Yet behind the scenes, Anki struggled turning viral success into a viable business. After trying unsuccessfully to raise $200 million in Series D funding, Anki shockingly went out of business in 2019.
But the story doesn‘t end there…
Digital Dream Labs Rescues Cozmo for Comeback 2.0!
Within months of Anki‘s demise, Pennsylvania-based education technology startup Digital Dream Labs acquired Cozmo and other assets. Having already produced numerous coding apps for kids, DDL felt Cozmo offered the perfect physical outlet to make programming concepts tangibly click with children.
In July 2021, DDL launched a Kickstarter to re-introduce Cozmo 2.0 to the world. Backers pledged over $1.8 million to help revive Cozmo – demonstrating strong lingering demand for the charming bot.
Now as 2022 approaches, Cozmo 2.0 stands ready to win over a whole new generation of kids. What exactly is new and improved? Let‘s compare the specs…
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| Specification | Cozmo Original | Cozmo 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ~ 60 minutes | Up to 3 hours |
| Computing Power | Snapdragon 800 | Snapdragon 801 |
| Sensors | Basic camera, mapping | Enhanced sensors and navigation |
| Camera Resolution | 0.3 MP 640×480 | 2 MP 1080P |
| WiFi Connectivity | Occasionally spotty | Upgraded antenna |
| Chassis | Single molded body | Modular parts – customize! |
| Software Updates | Periodic fixes only | New skills, content & features |
| Price | Original: $180 Now 2ndhand: $500+ |
$429.99 |
As you can see, Cozmo 2.0 isn‘t just a repackaged version of the original – he‘s ready for 2022 with hardware and software enhancements making him more intelligent, agile and, most importantly, educational…
How Cozmo 2.0 Stacks Up As a Coding Teacher
Yes, it‘s wonderful Cozmo 2.0 retains capabilities like facial recognition, autonomous exploration and emotional intelligence. Those traits support natural back-and-forth interaction as your child shares adventures with their first robot buddy.
But DDL also greatly expanded Cozmo‘s potential as an introductory coding instructor compared to Anki‘s model. Advancements come through both technical upgrades and new content/tools.
A few prime examples:
- Cozmo‘s new modular design (and repaired supply chain) makes swapping or customizing parts a snap – letting kids tinker under the hood
- Built-in visual programming environment on the app allows drag-and-drop creation of simple event sequences
- "CodeLab" delivers interactive JavaScript challenges matching students‘ advancing skill levels
- "Cozmo Edu" app subscription provides 100+ hours of structured coding lessons aligned with ISTE/CSTA standards
- Partnership with Carnegie Science Center brings an accredited coding curriculum supported by live educator community
In other words…Cozmo 2.0 doesn‘t just entertain kids with cool tricks, but helps systematically teach them to be creators themselves.
Students don‘t just play pre-baked games; they design and customize the games leveraging real coding languages like JavaScript! Assignments scale up strategically while tying back into classroom topics around computer science.
And that‘s what parents or schools should focus on most – Cozmo 2.0 promotes digital literacy and problem-solving confidence far beyond a traditional "toy" experience.
Sure, Cozmo won‘t match advanced platforms like LEGO Mindstorms that offer intricate mechanical builds. But Cozmo finds the right blend of simplicity to onboard complete beginners (as young as elementary school) up the coding ladder at their own pace.
Cozmo 2.0 Cost, Availability and Reviews
Cozmo 2.0 ships to early Kickstarter backers starting October 2022, with plans to hit global retail shortly after across sites like Amazon, Best Buy and Apple. The regular MSRP will be $429.99 including one year of warranty coverage.
Potential buyers can also opt-in to the Cozmo Edu subscription for $7.99 monthly or $47.99 annually. That membership unlocks the widest feature set and course content catalog for maximizing educational value.
How does Cozmo 2.0‘s pricing fit among coder robot competitors?
- Sphero RVR Programmable Robot – MSRP $249.99
- LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor 5-in-1 – MSRP $359.99
- Makeblock mBot – STEM Educational Robot – MSRP $109.99
So Cozmo 2.0 definitely sits at the upper end of consumer home robots. But again, raw computing performance or mechanical complexity aren‘t the main selling points here – it‘s the user experience combining coding with personality.
And on that front, initial reviews from robotics specialists previewing Cozmo 2.0 are very favorable:
- "I loved the original Cozmo déjà vu unboxing this one – it‘s like seeing an old friend years later, matured but just as fun at heart." – Rosanna Wong, Robinson Technologies
- "The modular chassis will be a gamechanger for schools wanting to integrate Cozmo into lessons across subjects." – Robert Evans, Academy of Interactive Entertainment
- "Cozmo Edu may finally help programming click emotionally for students who struggled with traditional coding." – Stephany Zoo, Computer Science Teacher
For parents seeking that perfect introduction to AI and programming concepts for their child, Cozmo 2.0 hits the sweet spot blending coding puzzles with delightful personality – available soon for holiday wish lists!
