1. Lego Mindstorms EV3
Google bought eight robot companies over the last six months! And if you’re wondering what they were doing, here’s what you need to lay your hands on. The Lego Mindstorms EV3 robotics platform is the No. 1 platform for anyone who wants to do modern robotics without complex wiring and soldering. I’ve been delaying my purchase of the EV3 for a while now, but with the Google acquisitions it has quickly moved up to the top of my to-buy list! The Lego Mindstorms EV3 makes functional robotics kits for beginners, with a vast array of customisation options.
Specs: ARM9 robotic processor / Embedded 16 MB Flash memory / 64 MB RAM plus SD expansion slot / Linux operating system, released under open source / USB 2.0 interface allows for Wi-Fi connectivity / Matrix display with loudspeaker / iOS and Android compatible
Price: $350
(This story appears in the 10 January, 2014 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)