One of the fun things about working in robotics is that we can actually touch the things we build. So, what are some top things to get for friends and family (or even yourself) this holiday season?
Inspired by the awesome Lenny, I adapted the idea of a gift guide for Core Matter. And it turns out my past life as an edtech founder was helpful as well. So many of the gifts I came across for toddlers and kids are from my firsthand experience teaching kids to code many years ago.
And thanks to the community on X, who contributed so many awesome products for the bench builders category. I’ve kept these free of affiliate links.
Thanks to everyone who replied to the polls, especially @alexembodied, @Wbackdown, @benbeerengineer, @dcsan, @liminalsunset_, @TouficJrab, @boxcardavid, @_baldtires, @MikeAHFerguson, @Joyingeth, @RohitSatyaV, @reticente07, @LiamTal and @lasermatts.
In this gift guide:
For friends with kids
For the software engineer building their first robot
For the robot founder deploying robots, or visiting Shenzhen for the 1st or 10th time
For the bench builder in the garage
For the Core Matter reader catching up over the holidays
For friends with kids
Bee-Bot · $99.75 · ages 3 to 8
This trusty little Bee-Bot was the first robot I used in the age-3 curriculum teaching coding, back in the day. I’d still get it for my toddler, now that he’s turning 3 soon. Plug and play, no screens, and space friendly.
Cubetto Playset · about $225 · ages 3 to 6
A pricier choice than Bee-Bot that lasts a little longer, with more functionality. Aesthetically, it fits well into a Montessori play area and a midcentury San Francisco home.
Button Box · DIY and open source, kits in beta
I’ve been lurking on their WhatsApp channel for a few months now. This is a DIY cardbox box with a button that you program to allow toddlers to leave voice messages for loved ones on WhatsApp. My toddler loves leaving voice notes to his grandparents via Whatsapp, so it’s definitely on my holiday project list.
Nex Playground · $299 · ages 5+ (3 to 4 with a grown-up)
Turn your living room into an arcade, dojo and more. So many friends with kids have been raving about it. It helps burning off some excess energy especially during cold winter days. I am getting it for my niece and nephew (6 and 9 years old).
BBC micro:bit V2 Go kit · $19.95 · ages 8+
This is for older kids, but I think it’s the best way to get started building something, even for adults.
For the software engineer building their first robot
MicroDuck · $399 pre-order | Reachy Mini · $399 Lite, $499 Wireless
Both MicroDuck and Reachy Mini have a lead time of a few weeks so they may not arrive before the holidays. But who can resist that cuteness? Reachy Mini also recently got a hoverboard upgrade (€135), so it can run around with its younger sibling soon. When asked which one to get, a friend of mine used to say, “always get both.”
SO-ARM101 · $199 to $299
This is the arm that went viral when @cdngdev used it to have GPT-6 Astra paint the Golden Gate Bridge. If you’re looking to try Astra on robots, this is a good starting point. I have a long list of projects I want to do with these arms.
“A good robot arm kit under a thousand would be handy” (@sheikhakash69)
Bambu Lab A1 mini · $199
A must-have for anyone getting into hardware/robots, and a great way to learn how to make 3D drawings.
3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Compact · $179
This is suggested by quite a few folks on X. I’m so curious how it works, though I’m still quite attached to my Mac mouse.
Suggested by @alexembodied
Le Creuset 14-oz mugs, Oyster, set of 4 · $79.95
I’ve been in the market for nicer coffee mugs and can’t take my eyes off these. They come in so many colors. Definitely needed for all those nights wrangling robot arms and code!
Asimov 1 DIY kit · $20,000
This is for the friend who has everything. Menlo Research, maker of Asimov, ships these in monthly batches (already shipping, and from the US). It has a big community on Discord, in case you have questions. Menlo estimates about 20 hours to build it. Might be a fun Christmas holiday project at home?
For the robot founder deploying robots, or visiting Shenzhen for the 1st or 10th time
These could also be good gifts for your supplier in Shenzhen.
Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25K, 165W · $119.99
Suggested by @boxcardavid
Sipeed NanoKVM-Go · $79 pre-order
“plugs into tailscale and any computer to allow you to access it remotely with low latency. perfect for lab use” (@liminalsunset_, on the NanoKVM Pro)
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands hand cream · about $8
I don’t work in a factory (yet), but my hands are always dry. This is the ultimate workhorse.
JISULIFE portable neck fan · $29.99
Anyone who’s been on a factory floor knows how hot it gets. Keep cool with these neck fans.
Zojirushi stainless steel travel mug · $28.96
Like most Asians, I have so many Zojirushi products growing up and still do at home now, from rice cooker to kettle to thermos. Their products are top notch and last so long. This smoky blue color is so beautiful. Stay hydrated on the floor (pair with the neck fan).
Refurbished Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny mini PC · $199.99
“Quieter and sturdier than a Pi once the workload gets real.” (@TouficJrab)
Starlink Mini · from $149, plus a plan
“Starlink, absolute necessity for our deployments” (@RohitSatyaV)
Also loved: Toyo toolbox, fast SSD, Subtle earbuds, Field Notes
For the bench builder in the garage
This was the most popular section in my X polls. Lots of pros on my feed.
Mitutoyo 500-196-30 caliper · about $175 to $185
“set of quality calipers from Mitutoyo” (@alexembodied). Also @reticente07 and @LiamTal.
Hakko FX-888DX soldering station · $121.47
“Good quality soldering iron. The cheap ones are garbage and you’ll hate yourself for saving money.” (@Wbackdown)
Fluke 117 multimeter · about $245 to $305
“Fluke multimeter + probes kit. Having certainty in your measurements is the best debugging tool.” (@benbeerengineer)
Wera ball-end hex key set · $43 to $80
“a good set of hex keys is under $250 and saves so much frustration” (@Joyingeth)
Garrett Wade headband magnifier · $49.95
Suggested by @barriosdrew
FNIRSI DSO-152 pocket oscilloscope · $39.30
Suggested by @alexembodied
Leg massager and foam roller set · $4.88
A home spa after a long day at the bench. It does magic and saves you a trip to the spa. I got mine from Taobao and is probably one of the most used products at home.
Also loved: 12V bench power supply (@dcsan), thermal camera, heat-set inserts, Klein digital angle finder ($64.98, @_baldtires), electric screwdriver with hex bits (@MikeAHFerguson)
For the Core Matter reader catching up over the holidays
(Hope not! Enjoy the festivities.)
Keyboard fidget toy, 5-pack · $15.89
Mini singing bowl · $13.99
I found both on Taobao (the stress reducer was Rmb 7, about $1, and the gong was Rmb 3, about $0.40). There’s an Amazon premium here, but I quite love both.
If you try any of these, let me know if you love them. Or share your favorite finds this year with me :)
