Review of Xiaomi Mitu Builder DIY - a Chinese LEGO competitor that will teach programming

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Xiaomi decided to try its hand at creating an ecosystem for teaching robotics and programming. The result is an interesting multifunctional construction set for any age, which is in no way inferior to LEGO.

It seems Xiaomi is releasing almost everything. Now the company has introduced its own version of LEGO. Unlike the usual Chinese kits, Mitu Builder DIY is not a copy, but its own development with many non-standard solutions.

What Xiaomi Mitu Builder DIY consists of

The set includes 978 details in subtle and pleasant colors. The manufacturer claims that the parts are made of environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic material. It is difficult to check this at home, but subjectively they do not smell, have good durability and do not scratch.

Most of the parts are copies of LEGO and LEGO Creator. The compatibility is excellent, the accuracy is not worse than the original ones.

The set includes a lot of mechanical elements, including fasteners, gears, jumpers, wheels.

In addition, the kit includes two servos (chassis) with different holes and pads for fixing construction kit parts. Each motor has a torque of 24 Ncm and a rotational speed of up to 133 rpm.

All this is assembled and operated using a control unit.

The main element of the set is the control unit

The neat case hides the processor, speakers and the battery of the designer. Mitu Builder DIY has an ARM Cortex-M3 processor clocked at up to 72MHz and 32MB of memory. Fundamental differences from most mobile processors at the basic level are not noticeable.

The front of the unit houses the power button and status indicator.

There are four USB Type-C ports on the back. Each can be used both for charging and for connecting external devices: standard from the set or additionally purchased infrared and ultrasonic sensors.

There is also a gyroscope built into the control unit, which is needed to build the main figure.

The rechargeable battery with a capacity of 1,650 mAh is firmly fixed in a separate compartment. Its charge will last for several days of active play.

An assembly that even a child can handle

The assembly instructions are clear, colorful and very detailed. Despite the huge number of details, even a 7–8 year old child will be able to assemble it using paper instructions.

The disadvantage of the set is excessive precision in the execution of parts. After connecting them to each other, it becomes difficult to disassemble the structure. Here the child may not cope, although Mitu Builder DIY is positioned as a construction set for children 10-14 years old.

On the other hand, assembling a toy like this is a great way to spend time with your kids.

What Xiaomi Mitu Builder DIY Can Do

Xiaomi Mitu Builder DIY offers four assembly options:

• combat robot;
• dinosaur;
• motorbike;
• starship.

Only a combat robot can be assembled using paper instructions. To assemble the rest of the toys, you need to install a special application on your smartphone.

We limited ourselves to the main option and decided to assemble a robot. It took almost half a day. Addictive, because adults love LEGO as much as children.

To get the finished robot to stand up and start moving, just press the button on the front of the control unit. The built-in gyroscope allows the robot to compensate for vibrations while moving and always remain upright.

When the toy moves, machine guns rotate, connected to the chassis by a belt drive. It will not work just like that - the structure is designed to carry cargo up to three kilograms.

Programming and control via smartphone

The assembled set is controlled using a smartphone and a preinstalled application (a link to it is located on the QR code of the instruction). A smartphone can be anything. The main thing is the presence of Bluetooth.

The application works on devices running Android 4.3 and higher and iOS 6 and higher. After installing the application, you will have to enter your Mi account data or create a new one.

After successful connection, the robot's battery percentage will be displayed at the top of the app. There are three modes in total:

• Route planning mode. You draw on the smartphone screen the route the toy follows.
• Gamepad mode. The screen displays a familiar game pad with intuitive controls.
• Robot programming mode. Allows you to set actions and cycles using ready-made cubes and resembles real block programming of microcontrollers.

Each of the modes is good in its own way, but it is the programming that turns Mitu Builder DIY into a visual tutorial. You can program the movement, action, and even the reaction of the toy when external sensors are connected.

Inexpensive kit for future robotics

Xiaomi Mitu Builder DIY is a good way to introduce your child to robotics and the world of the Internet of Things. In addition, these designers develop thinking, fine motor skills and engineering imagination, and help to understand the mechanics.

If we talk about the practicality of the purchase, then Mitu Builder DIY is completely similar to LEGO Mindstorms and even compatible with parts. But the difference is that the original set costs more than 20 thousand rubles, and also involves a more complex programming process.

The Xiaomi Mitu Builder DIY price is $ 115 (when using the MITU coupon), which is less than half the price of LEGO. Unfortunately, LEGO offers more options for expanding basic functionality: sensors, additional batteries, generators can be purchased separately. This is one of the most advanced robotics kits available.

Xiaomi has just announced the sale of add-ons and spare parts so far. But Mitu Builder DIY has simpler smartphone control, intuitive programming process, standard interfaces. This set is easier for a beginner and it is with it that you should get acquainted with robotics.