Project Overview
The Doodlebot, developed by MIT’s Personal Robots research group, is an innovative educational robot designed to introduce children to computational thinking and artificial intelligence. Utilizing intuitive block-based programming tools, students can program Doodlebot to perform tasks such as facial and object recognition, and subsequently use these vision models to inform the robot’s decision-making processes. A key distinction of Doodlebot lies in its seamless integration of art with STEM education. By enabling students to program the robot to draw, dance, and express emotions, it demonstrates that programming can be a powerful medium for artistic expression. This unique approach fosters a deeper emotional connection between children and the robot, evidenced by the genuine attachment observed in pilot test participants. Ultimately, the Doodlebot project aims to empower students to not only acquire essential coding skills but also to cultivate their own distinct robot personalities, thereby bridging the realms of technology and creative self-expression.
Team Members
David Kim
Cynthia Breazeal
Kantwon Rogers
Groups
Funders/Sponsors
Related Publications
Doodlebot: An Educational Robot for Creativity and AI Literacy
Randi Williams, Safinah Ali, Raúl Alcantara, Tasneem Burghleh, and Sharifa Algowinem – 2024
Summary: Doodlebot is a low-cost, classroom-ready robot designed to teach AI literacy and creativity to K–12 students. Developed at the MIT Media Lab, it functions as both a programmable tool and interactive learning companion. The paper presents three use cases — chatbot programming, generative drawing, and autonomous navigation—that help students explore key AI concepts. A pilot study found both physical and virtual versions of Doodlebot to be engaging and effective, offering a promising model for accessible AI education.