AI robotics for individuals, families and schools

Train a model.
Build a robot.
Create your own.

A connected pathway from your first pose model to sensor decisions, vision and voice, and an original creative robot.

MRT 451 robot car, the hardware foundation for AI learning

Every AI stage builds on 451

One foundation. Growing possibilities.

451 provides the shared machine-learning and robot-control foundation. 452 and 471 extend that learning. In 472, students combine the three stages to design an original robot.

New to coding? 402 can provide block-coding and robot-control preparation before 451. Choose by experience and equipment, rather than age alone. 472 is a creative application course, not a fourth official competition stage.

451

2026 learning stage

AI foundation

Collect pose examples, train and evaluate a model, then connect predictions to robot-car control. Improve both the model and the code.

Evidence of learning: Model tests, control code and repeated mission trials.

452

2027 learning stage

AI and sensor decisions

Extend the 451 model and code. Calibrate sensors, set decision priorities and solve more complex missions with safe recovery.

Evidence of learning: Calibration records, decision rules and recovery tests.

471

2028 learning stage

Vision, voice and autonomy

Build on 451 and 452 with camera, microphone and speaker capabilities. Combine perception and sensor evidence for autonomous responses.

Evidence of learning: Vision and voice tests, response times and mission trials.

472

Creative application of Stages 1โ€“3

Your original AI robot

Choose a purpose, design the mechanism and combine what you learned in 451, 452 and 471 to create your own robot.

Evidence of learning: Design brief, prototype, integration tests and project presentation.

A starting point for your setting

Learn at home, with a group or at school.

Individuals and families

Check coding experience, the existing kit and computer compatibility. Start with the 451 foundation and progress when ready.

Ask about a home learning setup

Existing MRT owners

Share your kit name and mainboard label. We will confirm what can be reused and which expansion hardware is needed.

Check your existing kit

Schools and centres

Plan equipment quantities, course access, teacher preparation and assessment with the MRT team.

Plan a school programme

Expansion hardware, per existing compatible kit

A clear upgrade budget.

Reference MRT sensor set with sensing inputs, five LEDs, a buzzer and a servo

2027 sensor expansion

A$200 excluding GST

Touch switch, tilt, reed/magnetic, rotary potentiometer, CDS light, NTC temperature (NTCT), LM35 temperature, IR, ultrasonic and rain/water inputs. Outputs: red, green, blue, yellow and white LEDs, buzzer and servo.

MRT audiovisual unit for camera, microphone and speaker activities

2028 vision and AI expansion

A$250 excluding GST

Vision, trained voice-command recognition, visual and spoken feedback, and wireless links for robot-control projects. Includes a custom frame to fit MRT sets.

Expansion budget in AUD, excluding GST
ExpansionOne existing kit10 existing kits
2027 sensor expansionA$200A$2,000
2028 vision and AI expansionA$250A$2,500
Both expansionsA$450A$4,500

Separate costs: freight, course access and teacher training are not included in expansion hardware prices. These are upgrades for existing compatible kits, not complete starter-kit prices. Confirm compatibility and final pack contents before ordering. No separate 472 kit price is specified.

Product supply and learning years are different

Both products share the same supply plan.

Product development testing
Complete for both the 2027 and 2028 expansion products.
Current work
Lesson production and classroom readiness checks are in progress.
Planned completion and supply
Before UNSW Robotic Challenge registration in Term 1, 2027, for both expansion products.

The labels โ€œ2027โ€ and โ€œ2028โ€ identify the challenge learning sequence. The 2028 learning-stage product is also included in the Term 1, 2027 supply plan. The expansions are presented for planning and enquiry while lessons are being completed.

472 creative robotics

What could your robot do?

Define a purpose, design the mechanism, integrate AI and sensors, then test and explain your solution. These earlier MRT student projects illustrate the kinds of creative outcomes the pathway supports.

Robot Dog for Elderly Care video thumbnailWatch student project

Robot Dog for Elderly Care

A student companion concept using sensing and an emergency alert.

AI Smart White Cane video thumbnailWatch student project

AI Smart White Cane

An assistive concept combining text reading and object detection.

Self-Driving Car with Machine Learning video thumbnailWatch student project

Self-Driving Car with Machine Learning

A camera-based learning project connected to vehicle control.

Explorer Climber Robot video thumbnailWatch student project

Explorer Climber Robot

A creative mechanism for movement through difficult environments.

Historic projects use different MRT hardware and, in some cases, additional equipment. They illustrate creative possibilities rather than identical kit contents or completion of the new 472 course.

Explore the student stories

Learn, practise, explain and participate

Prepare for the challenge with support.

Build a tested model, reliable control code and a record of how the solution improved. For 472, present your original design and demonstrate why it works.

Prepare

Equipment setup, teacher or family guidance and a suitable learning starting point.

Practise

Model testing, code review, sensor calibration, mission trials and troubleshooting.

Present

Project explanation, demonstration and guidance on published entry and submission requirements.

MRT will work with individual learners, families and school teams to make competition preparation as straightforward as possible. Students develop and explain their own solutions.

Course activities and learning evidence are separate from official competition judging. Check the current eventโ€™s eligibility, categories, dates, hardware rules and submission requirements. 472 is not presented as an official competition category, and equipment or course purchase does not include event entry.

Check official challenge information

Learning with purpose

Connections teachers can build into lessons.

Projects provide opportunities to develop data analysis, algorithm design, systems thinking, prototyping, collaboration and evaluation. Learners can also examine model bias and responsible handling of image and voice data.

451

Training-data records, unseen model tests and improvements to robot-control code.

452 and 471

Sensor calibration, decision priorities, vision/voice tests and reliable recovery.

472

An original design brief, prototype, integration tests, reflection and final presentation.

Suggested Australian Curriculum and NSW connections

Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies and Design and Technologies. NSW Technology 7โ€“8: TE4-DIG-02, TE4-MSC-01, TE4-PPM-01 and TE4-DES-01. NSW Computing Technology 7โ€“10: CT5-DPM-01, CT5-THI-01, CT5-DAT-02 and CT5-SAF-01.

These are teaching connections, not official certification or a claim of meeting every outcome. Teachers select year-level content and assessment. MRT AI Stages 1โ€“3 are different from NSW curriculum Stages 4โ€“5. Block coding alone is not claimed to satisfy the general-purpose/object-oriented programming requirement of CT5-OPL-01.

Start with 451. Build towards your own robot.

Tell us your experience, existing equipment and learning setting. We will help identify the next step.