코드론 EDU 플러스

Background Problem: While the importance of AI and coding education is increasing, there has been criticism that there is a lack of teaching tools that students can find interesting and engaging. Classes using robots or drones are being introduced in the classroom, but there have been difficulties in field application and maintenance due to technical limitations.

Limitations of Existing Methods: Previous educational drones or robots have limitations in practical use in actual classes due to limited sensor types and unstable connections when operating multiple units simultaneously. In addition, there was insufficient curriculum or content support, and teachers often had to create their own materials. In the case of CoDrone EDU (previous model), AI utilization education lacked depth, and interference issues when flying multiple drones in one classroom were pointed out as a challenge.

Improved Sensors and AI Functions: CoDrone EDU Plus is equipped with a gyro, accelerometer, infrared distance sensor, and dual cameras, making the drone like a "flying smart car." This provides the functions necessary for AI education, such as object recognition, and enables the implementation of various real-world application scenarios compared to existing educational drones.

Simultaneous Use of Multiple Drones: Designed to provide a stable connection when flying multiple drones simultaneously in the classroom, allowing multiple students in one class to practice at the same time. The "rock-solid" multi-drone connection, which improves upon disconnections common in previous generations or competing products, is a key strength.

Education-Friendly Design: COPPA/FERPA compliance ensures student data privacy, and free curriculum aligned with educational standards is provided so that teachers can use it directly in class. In addition, the difficulty can be adjusted from block coding to Python, making it widely used from beginners to advanced users. In this way, it is differentiated by having both technical innovation (dual camera, multiple sensors) and educational content support.

Entities that will actually pay the cost: Mainly schools, educational institutions, and after-school program operators are the purchasers of this product. School budgets can be used to purchase class kits (sets of multiple drones), or educational service providers can adopt them. Also,Individual Consumers (B2C)Parents who want coding education may purchase it for their children's learning.

B2C/B2B/B2G: Basically, it has a strong B2B (education market) character. It may be supplied to public schools as B2G through bidding by the Office of Education. At the same time, there are some B2C channels through general sales online.

Specific Environment/Country Restrictions: Because it was developed for educational purposes, content localization tailored to the educational curriculum of each country is necessary, but there are no major restrictions as global STEM education demands are similar. It already has the potential for expansion as it is used in drone competitions around the world (such as the Aerial Drone Competition hosted by the REC Foundation).

Industry/Market Expansion Potential: In addition to elementary and secondary education, it can be sold as a club activity or hobby drone coding kit, expanding into the hobby market. There is also room to expand the business in the future by launching online education services or additional sensor modules using this platform. However, since it is a product that focuses thoroughly on the educational niche market, a separate ecosystem different from the general consumer drone market must be established.

CES Award Context: Selected as an Honoree in the Education Technology (EdTech) category, it was recognized for demonstrating practical innovation in coding and AI education. The judges noted the potential of using drones in the field of technology education compared to other subjects such as music and art, and the classroom-friendly design (stability, curriculum provision) of this product.

Technical Completeness: RoboLink has been operating the CoDrone series for several years, so hardware and software stability has been verified. EDU Plus is known to have improved its completeness through actual class application tests while significantly enhancing sensors and functions compared to the previous model. It is well-received for faithfully reflecting the needs of the school site, such as FERPA compliance.

Market Expectations: Experts expect it to be widely used in schools and educational institutions in the future as the optimal drone platform for AI education. In particular, demand is expected to increase in line with the drone competition and maker education boom. Interest in educational drones is growing not only in the United States but also in global markets such as Korea, so exports and overseas market entry are expected to be bright in the future.

Overestimation/Underestimation Factors: On the other hand, some point out that the market may be limited in that drone-based education may still be limited to the resources of some schools. In addition, hardware prices and maintenance (drone collision and repair issues, etc.) can be burdensome, so how much these parts are improved and supported is key. Overall, it does not appear to be greatly overestimated so far, but rather, market awareness needs to be increased compared to the technology.