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Scribbler - Minimum Age Question — Parallax Forums

Scribbler - Minimum Age Question

WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
edited 2009-06-05 22:11 in Robotics
Hey everyone,

I was looking at the Scribbler page today to check when more would be in stock (for a future order) and noticed this new note - "Note: the Scribbler Robot is not a toy and is recommended for ages 14+."

All my Scribbler boxes say ages 8+. Anybody know the reason for the change? Even the Boe-Bot is listed as 12+.

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Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Post Edited (Whit) : 6/5/2009 6:22:17 PM GMT

Comments

  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-06-05 19:13
    It is listed as ages 8+ because you don't have to build it, but I don't know why it says it is recommended for 14+. I am 14 and the scribbler looks extremily easy!

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    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontrolled.
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2009-06-05 19:57
    Hi Whit,

    Yes, I do. The Scribbler Robot hardware hasn't changed, but the laws in the U.S. about·items that are·intended primarily for children (age 12 and under)·has. You can read about it here: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

    Though we have we have no reason to believe the Scribbler would not·have passed·the additional·CPSIA standards and recommended testing procedures that were in effect at the time the manufacturer produced the most recent batch, we elected not to do the testing because the·Scribbler is not actuallly primarily a children's product. Rather, the Scribbler·is intended for·new programmers and roboticists of any age,·a product comparable to the·Boe-Bot robot (not an age-specific product) but without the hurdles of text-based programming and building electronic circuits. Though we·originally performed the ASTM-F963-05 safety testing for ages 8+, that was a minimum age and we did not cap it·(such as·8-12 years)·because we·were seeking·to broaden·the customer range rather than·define it as·primarily children.·The Scribbler robot's·sales history bears this out - the largest customer segment for the·Scribbler·continues to be·university programs.

    We did not want to misrepresent the product as a "CPSIA-compliant toy primarily for children"·so we no longer include children in the minimum age given on the packaging. The Scribbler Robot is a mobile, programmable single-board computer and sensor system.·Consider the use of a common calculator or computer in grade schools - they are there but they are not·primarily children's products; they comply·with all applicable safety requirements for their product class (such as the Scribbler's Lead-free and FCC compliance) but·do not come under the additional·CPSIA guidelines.

    I hope this answers your questions.

    -Stephanie Lindsay

    Editor, Parallax Inc.
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2009-06-05 20:17
    microcontrolled said...
    It is listed as ages 8+ because you don't have to build it, but I don't know why it says it is recommended for 14+. I am 14 and the scribbler looks extremily easy!

    But then again, you do not seem to be the average 14-year-old, you lucky Propeller-head!!

    The most common Scribbler user is actually a freshman university student who·interacts with·microcontroller-based products every day as a consumer but has never programmed one themselves.·It is used in introductory survey courses in robotics and technology, as a way to reach people who don't see themselves as the engineer-stereotype. It is sometimes used by high schools and grade schools for the same reasons as well.

    The purpose of the GUI is to introduce the logical structures of programming in an instant-gratification way without·being slowed down by the·syntax requirements of text-based languages. Playing with it can be fun for new programmers of any age - I've seen parents fighting their preteens for the mouse at·trade shows to make their own programs, and my own dad has a blast with it too!
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2009-06-05 22:11
    Stephanie,

    Thanks so much all the info. It does answer my questions. If I get asked, now I will know what to say.

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
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