1. Place the Root coding robot on a flat surface, such as the fold-out whiteboard that it comes with.
2. Turn the robot on by pressing and holding its yellow button, otherwise referred to as its nose.
3. Activate Bluetooth on your BLE supported device.
4. Open the project editor within your app.
5. Click on the symbol of the Root coding robot, right next to the project name.
6. Tap on the Root coding robot you would like to connect with.
7. Begin coding in the project editor!

Yes! Visit our Learning Library for a number of resources to help you get started including starter tutorials, projects and videos.

Yes! Visit our Learning Library for a number of free teaching resources and inspiration. Premium content aligned with educational standards is also available on a subscription-basis.

The iRobot® Coding App is compatible with Bluetooth® supported devices running most major, up-to-date operating systems, including Android, Windows, Chrome OS, iOS and macOS.

It can be downloaded from the App store, Google Play store or used online at code.irobot.com. When connecting to your robot using the online Web App, please also ensure you are using a Bluetooth® supported browser such as Chrome or Edge.

Please note: Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

The Root coding robot is designed for learners who are 6 years old and up. For children under the age of 6, helping hands are recommended.

The Root coding robot has magnets embedded inside its chassis to help it climb whiteboards and connect to accessories.

The Root coding robot can drive 10 cm/s.

The Root coding robot only detects color when it's driving on a flat surface. You may cover the cliff sensor if you would like to see the color sensor run while picked up.

The Root coding robot will calibrate to whatever color is underneath the robot. We recommend that you leave the robot on a white surface for a few seconds before starting a color sensing program.

The Root coding robot teaches the structure and syntax of professional programming languages, and currently includes Swift on Learning Level 3.

The Root coding robot is designed to only drive on flat surfaces. Its integrated cliff sensor allows the robot to detect when it is lifted.

Recognizing the need for digital literacy, the Root rt1 coding robot uses tangible, hands-on experiences to teach coding and strengthen computational thinking skills. Its combination of over 30 features and sensors, ability to navigate magnetic whiteboards and long-lasting battery life provide a unique avenue for students to bring code to life and connect their classroom learning with the real world. Powered by iRobot® Coding, the Root® rt1 robot harnesses the versatility of auto-level conversion to translate code between 3 Learning Levels and advance alongside learners, no matter their skill-level. Students can begin with graphical coding before advancing to hybrid coding, then full-text coding. Learn more about the Root coding robot here.

The Root coding robot is designed to be used with the iRobot Coding Platform. The iRobot® Coding platform is compatible with devices running most major, up-to-date operating systems, including Android, Windows, Chrome OS, iOS and macOS. In order to connect your Root® coding robot to the iRobot® Coding platform, your device requires Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and a supported browser such as Chrome or Edge.

For the advanced coders out there, we've published Root's Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol here, so that hackers and experienced makers can start creating their own advanced projects with the robot. This link should provide enough information for you to connect to and use the robot with any hardware that supports BLE using the programming language and Bluetooth library of your choice. (Please note this requires advanced coding experience and some understanding of how BLE works). To help you get started, we’ve included a basic samplescript that runs on a Raspberry Pi 3 to drive Root using the arrow keys.

The iRobot Coding platform is available in all countries by visiting code.irobot.com, where users can practice coding using simbots in our virtual arenas.

We recommend always using the charging cable provided with the robot. If the Root coding robot still does not charge even with the provided charging cable, there may just not be enough power to light up the charging LED. If this is the case, follow the steps below:

1. Plug the robot in and wait an hour
2. After an hour, unplug the robot then plug it back in again
3. If the LED still does not light up, leave the robot plugged in and repeat these steps after another hour

If the robot is still not charging after following these instructions, please contact us.

The Root coding robot uses a minimum 5W USB (5V, 1A) Type-C charger. We recommend always using the charging cable provided with the robot.

The battery usually takes about 3 hours to charge completely, from empty to full.

When the Root coding robot is fully charged, all of the LEDs will glow green. You should unplug the charger when the battery is full.

The Root coding robot's battery typically lasts for 2 hours of continuous, heavy-use and 1 week with intermittent use.

Yes! The Root rt1 coding robot features a whiteboard top that you can decorate using dry-erase markers or clings.

The Root coding robot supports a wide range of pens and markers, but not every brand or design will work. To ensure proper operation, insert the pen when the holder is raised and leave a small gap between the surface and the tip of the pen.

Make sure the whiteboard surface is a proper dry-erase surface. You should be able to wipe away most marks with a damp cloth. If the mark still won’t come off with that, try drawing over the stubborn stain with a fresh dry erase marker. Once drawn over, you should be able to wipe it clean with a cloth. Please note that the marker you use for cleaning will pick up some of the color you are drawing over, so use a darker marker to clean if possible.

Please click here to view iRobot's return policy, and email education@irobot.com with your order information to initiate a return.

Currently, iRobot Education only ships directly to the United States and Canada. However, we do partner with international resellers and distributors. For a complete list of our authorized resellers and distributors, click here.

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LIMITED WARRANTY TO ORIGINAL PURCHASER

This product is warranted by iRobot Corporation (“iRobot”), subject to the exclusions and limitations set out below, against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the qualifying Limited Warranty period of two (2) years. This Limited Warranty begins on the original date of purchase, and is only valid and enforceable in the country where you purchased the Product. Any claim under the Limited Warranty is subject to you notifying us of the alleged defect within a reasonable time of it coming to your attention and, in any case, by no later than the expiry of the Warranty Period.

The original dated bill of sale must be presented, upon request, as proof of purchase. iRobot will repair or replace this product, at our option and at no charge, with new or reconditioned parts, if found to be defective during the Limited Warranty period specified above. iRobot does not warrant uninterrupted or error-free operation of the product. This Limited Warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship encountered in normal, and, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this statement, non-commercial use of this product and shall not apply to the following, including but not limited to: normal wear and tear; damage which occurs in shipment; applications and uses for which this product was not intended; failures or problems which are caused by products or equipment not supplied by iRobot; accidents, misuse, abuse, neglect, misapplication, fire, water, lightning, or other acts of nature; if the Product contains a battery and the fact that the battery has been short-circuited, if the seals of the battery enclosure or the cells are broken or show evidence of tampering or if the battery has been used in equipment other than those for which it has been specified; incorrect electrical line voltage, fluctuations, or surges; extreme or external causes beyond our reasonable control, including, but not limited to, breakdowns, fluctuations or interruptions in electric power, ISP (Internet service provider) service, or wireless networks; damage caused by improper installation; product alteration or modification; improper or unauthorized repair; exterior finish or cosmetic damage; failure to follow operation instructions, maintenance, and environmental instructions that are covered and prescribed in the instruction book; use of unauthorized parts, supplies, accessories, or equipment which damage this product or result in service problems; failures or problems due to incompatibility with other equipment. As far as applicable laws permit, the Warranty Period will not be extended or renewed or otherwise affected due to subsequent exchange, resale, repair or replacement of the Product. However, part(s) repaired or replaced during the Warranty Period will be warranted for the remainder of the original Warranty Period or for ninety (90) days from the date of repair or replacement, whichever is longer. Replacement or repaired products, as applicable, will be returned to you as soon as commercially practicable. All parts of the Product or other equipment that we replace shall become our property. If the Product is found not to be covered by this Limited Warranty, we reserve the right to charge a handling fee. When repairing or replacing the Product, we may use products or parts that are new, equivalent to new or re-conditioned. To the extent permitted by applicable law, iRobot’s liability shall be limited to the purchase value of the Product. The above limitations shall not apply in case of gross negligence or intentional misconduct of iRobot or in case of death or personal injury resulting from iRobot’s proven negligence.

This Limited Warranty does not apply to accessories and other consumable items, such as dry erase markers, vinyl stickers, eraser cloths, or fold out whiteboards. This Limited Warranty will be invalid if (a) the Product’s serial number has been removed, erased, defaced, altered or is illegible in any way (as determined in our sole discretion), or (b) you are in breach of the terms in the Limited Warranty or your contract with us.

NOTE: Limitation of iRobot’s liability: This Limited Warranty is your sole and exclusive remedy against iRobot and iRobot’s sole and exclusive liability with respect to defects in your Product. This Limited Warranty replaces all other iRobot warranties and liabilities, whether oral, written, (non-mandatory) statutory, contractual, in tort or otherwise, including, without limitation, and where permitted by applicable law, any implied conditions, warranties or other terms as to satisfactory quality or fitness for purpose. However, this Limited Warranty shall neither exclude nor limit i) any of your legal (statutory) rights under the applicable national laws or ii) any of your rights against the seller of the Product.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, iRobot does not assume any liability for loss of or damage to or corruption of data, for any loss of profit, loss of use of Products or functionality, loss of business, loss of contracts, loss of revenues or loss of anticipated savings, increased costs or expenses or for any indirect loss or damage, consequential loss or damage or special loss or damage.

Please note that the Root rt1 coding robot will only climb magnetic whiteboards. On some whiteboards with weak magnetic backing, the Root rt1 might slip. However, you can still use a non-magnetic whiteboard with Root on any flat surface, such as a table or the floor.

If the Root coding robot won't draw on a flat surface, such as a whiteboard or piece of paper, please check the marker holder. Although the robot's marker holder can grab different brands of dry-erase markers and pens, an assortment of pencils, crayons and some pens may not be able to be gripped by the marker holder.

The Root rt1 coding robot's eraser works best on magnetic whiteboards. The eraser has embedded magnets to hold it firmly against the smooth surface of magnetic whiteboard so that it can erase. On the included fold-up whiteboard, the robot is not always able to press hard enough to erase and the eraser pad can get caught on the folds, throwing the robot off course.

If the Root coding robot is not driving well on flat surfaces or your magnetic whiteboard, check if the wheels are dirty. If they are, it is possible for the robot to slip. Please try cleaning the wheels with some rubbing alcohol and a paper towel.

If the Root rt1 coding robot is driving vertically on a whiteboard, this may be normal behavior while the robot compensates for gravity. If the robot also has problems driving on a table or the floor then there may be something wrong with your robot. Please contact us for assistance.

If your Root coding robot is frozen or unresponsive and does not move when you code a program and press play, try and hold the yellow button (its nose) for 10 seconds until the robot turns off. Then, try turning it back on. If one color bar is blinking red, the robot needs charging.

If your robot is still misbehaving after being reset, please contact us for assistance.

If your Root coding robot keeps stopping in the middle of a program, try charging your robot and your device. A low battery can cause connectivity problems. However, if both devices have enough charge, your robot may need a firmware update. The robot may also stop if the motors are overdriven by being pushed or driven into something.

When the Root coding robot's LED lights are flashing blue and its eyes are off, it is in “updating” mode.

When the Root coding robot's rear LED light is flashing red, its battery is getting low. Please plug it in to charge at this time.

If your Root coding robot is moving slowly, it is because the robot using its sensors and corrective algorithms to compensate for gravity and draw the most accurate shapes possible on a vertical whiteboard.

The iRobot® Coding platform is compatible with devices running most major, up-to-date operating systems, including Android, Windows, Chrome OS, iOS and macOS. In order to connect your Root® coding robot to the iRobot® Coding platform, your device requires Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and a supported browser such as Chrome or Edge.