Educational robots 2026–2027: release calendar and buying guide
Thymio 3, Sphero Blueprint, LEGO CS & AI, mBot2 Rover: Oct 2026–2027 calendar, price anchors, and buy order for school and home. Visual comparison included.
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Direct answer (October 2026) — From Oct 2026 through 2027 back-to-school, key launches are Thymio 3 (€237), LEGO CS & AI ($339.95), Sphero Blueprint (late 2026); with no confirmed mBot3, mBot2 already covers Scratch→Python.
⚡ Compare prices and immediate availability (2026 edition)
| Product | Indicative price (Oct 2026) | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Makeblock mBot2 | ~$159–$179 | Check price → |
| Makeblock mBot2 Rover | Check listings | Check price → |
| Makeblock mBot Ranger | ~$159–$189 | Check price → |
| Sphero BOLT / Mini | ~$49–$149 | Check price → |
| LEGO Education STEM kit | ~$200–$350 | Check price → |
| BBC micro:bit V2 Go | ~$25–$35 | Check price → |
| Raspberry Pi 5 (4 GB) | ~$75–$85 | Check price → |
This page tracks educational robot launches from October 2026 through 2027 back-to-school: price anchors, audience, and a sane buy order for families or labs.
Calendar (announced dates)
| Window | Product | Price anchor |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | LEGO Education CS & AI | $339.95 |
| Sept 2026 | Thymio 3 | €237 |
| Fall 2026 | Sphero Blueprint Robotics | TBD premium |
| Ongoing | mBot2 / mBot2 Rover | ~€168 + add-on |
| Not announced | mBot3 | — |
Suggested buy order
- Ages 8–10, tight budget → mBot or mBot2 per comparison.
- Middle school, rich sensors → Thymio 3.
- High school modular → Sphero Blueprint or ELEGOO if budget-limited.
- LEGO-heavy classroom → CS & AI kit.
Full hub: best programmable robot 2026.
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