We'll be doing that through the learning app. Not only are we going to put together project-specific course content that will teach soldering, coding and how to work with the components in a structured way but we'll be opening up the platform so that makers can create their own kits and courses. We're focused on the learning aspect - useful, structured course content so you don't have to spend hours online on multiple sources. With some semblance of progression built in so you can move onto more ambitious projects or learn a new skill in the field - think TeamTreehouse or CodeSchool but for Hardware.
It’s awesome to see so many teams working on making it easier for people to get into the hardware maker space!
To that end…. since everyone is showcasing their projects, I’d like to introduce everyone to http://thimble.io/
Our aim is to make it much easier to learn and expand your skills in a more structured format. We’re working on a learning app and monthly hardware subscription kit. You get all the parts you need to assemble an entire project - the first month will be a wifi-enabled robot. We’ll be running weekly webinars every month in order to field questions aside from the community forum and slack group.
We’re also working on incorporating a competition element for those interested in pushing their skills. Every month a panel of judges from the industry will choose the top submissions - customized beyond the basic kit (naturally cool and useful prizes and accolades will ensue - cool hardware stuff + software subscriptions).
SHIPPING: We’re working with fulfillment houses to hopefully be able to ship internationally from the get go. Volume will dictate how much we can drop the overall price of the kit by. I can say that it’s a priority for us to do so and drop the price through better vendor partnerships and preferential rates from fulfilment houses to make Thimble more accessible.
Pricing: $70-80 for our first robot kit. We're looking for feedback on the first kit and from there we’re going to adjust price/kit complexity.