These robots are made of cardboard, wood and plastic.

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And they’re controlled by hand gestures.

You’re looking at the world’s first hand-gesture-controlled robotics kit–the Ziro.

Professor Karthik Ramani is chief scientist and co-founder of San Jose’s Zero UI.  At CES® 2016, in Las Vegas, he explained Ziro, which is Zero UI’s first product.

The kit enables a maker to create a robot out of virtually any material.  Then, you control the robot by using a smart glove.

Professor Ramani, who is a longtime Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, talked about creating Ziro, some of the ways the robotics kit can be used, and his vision for Zero Ui’s future.

On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

• How Zero UI’s user interface works;

• The robots makers can create with the Ziro kit;

• The materials used to create some of the robots on display;

• How Professor Ramani decided to create the robotics kit;

• Some of the ways the robots can be used, both for fun and practical purposes;

• Some of Professor Ramani’s favorite experiences, as a maker, while creating the Ziro robotics kit;

• Why the robotics kit may be especially fun at Halloween!

• What’s included in the robotics kit;

• How Professor Ramani wants to use Ziro to change the educational system;

• Why future engineers of both genders may enjoy creating with the kit;

• Why Professor Ramani sees a “play first” approach as essential to real-world education.