Thames & Kosmos Kai: The AI Robot Kit | Learn Machine Learning with a Six-Legged, App-Enabled Robot

Meet Kai: An AI Robot Adventure for curious minds

Meet Kai, a six-legged, app-enabled robot that responds to your gestures and sounds. Through the companion app, you train an AI model by recording movements and audio, then watch Kai learn to associate each gesture with a function: walk forward, walk backward, turn left, turn right, and stop.

Each data session grows Kai's understanding. The more examples you collect, the sharper Kai's responses become in play mode when you perform the trained gestures again.

Hands-on learning meets digital discovery

The kit blends hands-on assembly with digital experimentation. The fully colored 64-page manual guides you through building and programming while a playful comic-style story brings AI concepts to life.

• Assemble and program a six-legged robot
• Record gestures and sounds to train the AI model
• Test your model in real time by controlling Kai in play mode
• Use the remote function or device tilt to steer Kai

What you get and how it helps

In addition to Kai, the set includes a face display with 25 LEDs that can show expressions and scrolling messages, plus a step-by-step illustrated manual and a compelling science story. The kit is geared for ages 10+ with adult help, or 12+ for independent exploration.

• Six-legged robot with 360-degree upper-body rotation
• App-enabled AI training and control
• Remote-control mode and gyroscope steering
• Face display with programmable expressions
• Comprehensive, kid-friendly guide and historical context for AI

Note on compatibility: The app runs on iOS and Android devices; a tablet is recommended for the best experience. Check your device compatibility in the app stores.

Why Kai stands out: It offers a tangible way to explore future tech through purposeful play. While outcomes can vary, users report engaging learning moments, curiosity about AI, and a better understanding of how data can guide intelligent behavior.

Expanded learning journey

Kai's 64-page guide not only teaches assembly and programming; it also includes a kid-friendly history of AI and real-world applications, bridging imagination with practical context.

Whether used as a classroom project, a family science night, or a solo curiosity-driven build, Kai supports collaborative exploration and personal experimentation.

As you complete components and connect the app, you’ll see visually engaging indicators on Kai, like scrolling messages on its LED face, and you’ll hear the prompts guiding your next steps.

The product kit emphasizes safe tech play and responsible data training within a kid-friendly framework. The six-legged Kai design invites experimentation with balance and mobility across surfaces. Getting started is simple: download the app, follow the illustrated steps, and watch Kai come alive as you complete your first training session.