Robo Challenge
Maker Faire Bay Area 2026
September 25th-27th
Screens like the iPad are fascinating—and for good reason. But they often turn kids into passive consumers and make it harder for them to engage with the physical world or share their experiences with others.
My goal is to offer a compelling alternative: simple, physical systems that are just as engaging as digital games.
With this project I designed a modular robot system that allows kids to build a variety of base robots—and then go far beyond that. They can customize, remix, and invent entirely new designs.
And then comes the fun part: the robots compete in friendly challenges.
All designs are open: STL files, bills of materials, and step-by-step instructions are freely available. Each robot can be built for well under $5—including motor, gearbox, and batteries.
Oliver Zeigermann
Oliver Zeigermann is a former teacher turned engineer who loves building real-world things with kids. Instead of screens, he creates simple, low-cost systems that can be touched, hacked, and remixed. His goal: give every child the chance to explore technology by actually making something with their own hands.
