Botzees Mini, an innovative screen-free coding robot that introduces computer programming to young kids, earned a finalist spot in the 2021 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). The prestigious recognition positions Botzees for potential international publicity and exposure.

Industrial Designers Society of America began IDEA 41 years ago with the goal of identifying and honoring the pinnacle of design excellence. As mentioned on their site, IDEA is “unweathered by shifting fads or transitory styling.” Instead, the winners of IDEA “reveal the tremendous significance of design in business, society and beyond, thus proving that great results are possible when design is leveraged to its fullest potential.”

Since its inception, IDEA has reviews entries across the same five criteria for defining design excellence: design innovation, benefit to user, benefit to client/brand, benefit to society, and appropriate aesthetics. The finalists span twenty categories, including automotive & transportation, branding, consumer technology, environments, home, medical & health, social impact, and, of course, children’s products.

Botzees Mini’s inclusion in this distinguished group of entries alludes to the importance and benefits of introducing children to STEM early. Kids as young as three can play with Botzees Mini and explore computer programming concepts such as cause and effect, if/then logic, sequencing, and de-bugging.

Most computer programming toys involve screens in one form or another, and many parents are concerned that their children already spend too much time in front of those glowing blue-light time sucks. Botzees Mini bypasses that problem through its innovative use of command cards, line drawing, and image recognition and sensor technology. The product encourages technology literacy without contributing to screen addiction.

The IDEA 2021 Awards Ceremony will stream live on the Industrial Designers Society of America website on September 21. Botzees extends gratitude to the IDEA committee for including Botzees Mini in their group of finalists.