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PIXIE is our smallest simplest robot. It is less than 6 inches across and has only 7 buttons. It is intended for use with children from 5 to 8, but many are in use in playgroups and nursery schools.
The buttons are:-
programs PIXIE to move forward its own
length.
programs PIXIE to move backward its own
length.
programs PIXIE to turn a right angle to the
left.
programs PIXIE to turn a right angle to the
right.
programs PIXIE to wait for one
second.
(clear
memory); rubs out the program in
PIXIE.
Makes PIXIE run the program.
To make PIXIE travel around a square of twice its own length you press:-
CM,
FORWARDS, FORWARDS, RIGHT
FORWARDS, FORWARDS, RIGHT
FORWARDS, FORWARDS, RIGHT
FORWARDS, FORWARDS, RIGHT
Go.
So, PIXIE uses a counting paradigm for entering programs. If you want to use several units of movement or pause you just press the button the relevant number of times.
PIXIE has only two internal states. It is either waiting for a keypress to add to its program or it is executing the program. Go starts a program. Once running a program all the keys are "panic" buttons that will stop PIXIE if they are pressed. It is impossible to generate a "syntax error". This simplicity makes PIXIE accessible to younger or less able children.
As well as PIXIE itself, we also have simulation software for PIXIE. This runs on a PC under Windows 95 or later and has the same features as PIXIE plus the ability to save and load programs. Full details are here.