''Robotix'' is a line of toy motorized modular construction sets used for constructing

robotic Robotics is an interdisciplinary branch of computer science and engineering. Robotics involves design, construction, operation, and use of robots. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can help and assist humans. Robotics integrate ...

creatures, vehicles and machines, often including action figures. Robotix toys were first marketed by the

Milton Bradley Company Milton Bradley Company or simply Milton Bradley (MB) was an American board game manufacturer established by Milton Bradley in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1860. In 1920, it absorbed the game production of McLoughlin Brothers, formerly the ...

(MB) from 1984 until 1986. The 1985 cartoon series ''

Robotix ''Robotix'' is a 1985 American animated series based on the original Milton Bradley toyline of the same name featured on the '' Super Sunday'' programming block. The toyline is of the construction type that includes motors, wheels and pincers a ...

'' was based on these toys. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Robotix toys were sold by

RC2 Corporation The RC2 Corporation, a division of Japan-based firm Takara Tomy, is a toy design, marketing, and distribution company headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1992. Overview RC2 markets brands such as The First Years and ...

under its Learning Curve brand. Learning Curve changed the colors of the original MB toys from mostly black and white to bright colors, introduced new parts, and expanded the range of playsets. As of 2014, Robotix toys are sold by Robotics and Things, based in

Simi Valley, California Simi Valley (; Chumashan languages, Chumash: ''Shimiyi'') is a city in Simi Valley (valley), the valley of the same name in the southeast region of Ventura County, California, United States. Simi Valley is from Downtown Los Angeles, making it ...

, which also offers STEM enrichment programs for children.

Parts

Robotix parts, despite originating in the United States, use the metric system of measurement for their pieces. For example, they sell three arm pieces: 50mm Arm, 75mm Arm and 100mm Arm. These parts connect using a male/female attachment system, where each connection is in the shape of an octagon. The toy was high quality for its time of creation, featuring heavy plastics and rounded corners.

Ownership

Robotix toys were sold by the

from 1984 until 1994. An animated series of the same name was released in 1985.

Learning Curve Brands The RC2 Corporation, a division of Japan-based firm Takara Tomy, is a toy design, marketing, and distribution company headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1992. Overview RC2 markets brands such as The First Years and ...

began offering Robotix sets in 1994, and continued offering them until 2001. The packaging at this time changed to reflect the Learning Curve name, and many new parts were added. Since 2001, Robotics and Things has continued to sell Robotix toys through the internet. Despite the changes in distribution, products currently available are fully backward compatible with all toys from 1984 onward. Information provided by Neil L. Friedman, Director of "Robotics And Things" in an email dated 11/5/2007. In 2019, Robotics and Things retired from business and was succeeded by Robotic Rice LLC. Robotic Rice has continued to sell Robotix toys until early 2021, when they have been forced to drop the Robotix product line due to the economic consequences of the

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly ...

pandemic.

References

1980s toys Construction toys {{Toy-stub