# Robotics - Smart Machines — Programming app

> App to control and program Thames & Kosmos Robotics: Smart Machines kits. (iPhone/iPad app by Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/robotics-smart-machines/id998947235 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/375309682)
- Category: Entertainment, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.30/5 from 239 App Store ratings · 79 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.3 · 53 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-02-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/robotics-smart-machines/id998947235/reviews.md

## What is Robotics?

For use with the engineering kits “Robotics: Smart Machines”, “Robotics: Smart Machines - Rovers & Vehicles Edition”, and “Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & Treads Edition” by Thames & Kosmos.

This app is the “brain” of the robotic models you build with the Robotics: Smart Machines kits. The app uses the feedback from the models’ ultrasonic sensor together with programmed commands to control the models.

App Features

• Connect to your models via Bluetooth connection.
• Remote-control mode lets you directly control the models’ two motors forward and backward.
• Remote-control mode gives you a visual display of the object distance readings from the ultrasound sensor.
• Programming mode lets you script and save programs.
• Seven programs (Programs 1-7) are preloaded to work specifically with seven of the robot models in the “Robotics: Smart Machines” kit. Eight programs (Programs 9-16) are preloaded to work specifically with eight of the robot models in the “Robotics: Smart Machines - Rovers & Vehicles Edition” kit. Eight programs (Programs 17-24) are preloaded to work specifically with eight of the robot models in the “Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & Treads Edition” kit.
• A simple, visual programming language lets you program motors, sounds, and pauses.
• Different program segments can be set to run upon first run and then when the ultrasound sensor detects objects at different distances from the model.
• Use the 60-page or 64-page, step-by-step illustrated manual included in either kit to learn how to use all of the programming features.

*****
Suggestions, feature requests, or questions?
We look forward to your feedback!
Mail to: support@thamesandkosmos.com

Updates and news on www.thamesandkosmos.com

*****

## Key features

- Bluetooth connectivity
- Remote-control mode
- Visual sensor data display
- Script and save programs
- Preloaded robot programs
- Visual programming language
- Sensor-triggered program segments

## What do users think of Robotics?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🎨 Fun and engaging building experience
- 💡 Creative robotics and coding concepts
- 👍 Works well on older iOS devices
- 🎯 Educational value for children

**Cons**

- 🐛 Bluetooth connection crashes app repeatedly
- 📱 Incompatible with modern iOS versions and devices
- ❌ App frequently disconnects mid-use
- 😕 Confusing and poorly written instructions
- ⚠️ No customer support or app updates
- 🔧 Difficult assembly process
- ⏱️ Robot moves slowly and performance issues
- 🚫 App becomes unresponsive and locks up

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when pressing Bluetooth button
- Bluetooth fails to connect on iOS 13+ and iPhone 13
- App disconnects during use and won't reconnect
- App freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Bluetooth button stays grey and non-functional
- App incompatible with 64-bit Apple requirements
- Programming features don't execute properly
- Robot falls apart when custom designs are used
- Motor only works in reverse direction
- Distance sensor readings not detected by app

**Most requested features**

- Update app for iOS 13+ and modern iPhone compatibility
- Add external control option without Bluetooth dependency
- Improve app stability and connection reliability
- Provide clearer, more detailed instructions
- Add more coding options and programming features
- Implement proper customer support system
- Add camera functionality documentation for spy bot variant
- Improve robot speed performance
- Add easy power-off mechanism

## Recent user reviews (10 of 79)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/robotics-smart-machines/id998947235/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Makes kids sad

*2026-06-10*

It doesn’t work. It crashes every time we click the Bluetooth button, both on my iPad and on my iPhone. The set costs over $100 and then the app, which is the main functionality of the product, doesn’t work. So much money for a toy that just makes my kids sad.

### 5/5 — Omg!

*2026-04-04, version 2.1.0*

I decided to make a car and it worked!

### 1/5 — Good but

*2026-03-03, version 2.1.0*

It doesn’t work when I press the Bluetooth button it shuts off my iPad fix it please

### 1/5 — App crashes

*2025-01-23, version 2.1.0*

App crashes as soon as we try to connect to bluetooth on iOS 17 and iPhone 13.

### 1/5 — Can’t get it to pair

*2024-12-25*

As soon as you tap the Bluetooth button in the app it closes

### 1/5 — App quits when touching circular Bluetooth button in app

*2024-09-29, version 2.1.0*

The app is buggy. Cannot connect Bluetooth. Useless

### 1/5 — Horrible product

*2024-09-28, version 2.1.0*

Every time we try to sync Bluetooth the app closes and restarts. Don’t buy this product or anything from manufacturer

### 4/5 — :3

*2024-08-08, version 2.1.0*

Hello!
So I was on the app,It works fine just soemtimes eveything freezes.Idk if it is just me.And the instructions are weird.Like wrong,but you figure it out after while.Its cool tho!I just have to fix it every few minutes…And how do you turn it off?Its hard to take out the batteries ,And it’s just on in my drawer currently lol.But it’s okay in my opinion.I added grips to the wheels to,Becuase it’s works better with grips.But I like it over all👍🏻

### 1/5 — Bad

*2024-07-31*

Keeps on breaking

### 1/5 — Does not work. PLEASE GET THE APP WORKING!!!!!

*2024-01-12, version 2.1.0*

This is very disappointing, I was really looking forward to play with it but the app DOES NOT WORK!!!

## Frequently asked questions about Robotics

### What does the Robotics - Smart Machines app do?

This app acts as the control center for robotic models built with specific Thames & Kosmos engineering kits. It allows you to connect to your models via Bluetooth, control their motors, and program their actions using a visual programming language.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include Bluetooth connectivity to your robot models, a remote-control mode for direct motor operation, a visual display of sensor data, and a programming mode to script and save custom programs. It also offers preloaded programs for specific robot models.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the app is free to download and use. It is designed to work with the "Robotics: Smart Machines" engineering kits and does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What kits are compatible with this app?

This app is compatible with the "Robotics: Smart Machines", "Robotics: Smart Machines - Rovers & Vehicles Edition", and "Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & Treads Edition" kits by Thames & Kosmos.

### How do I learn to use the programming features?

The app's programming features are explained in detail within the step-by-step illustrated manual included with each compatible engineering kit. These manuals provide guidance on how to use all the programming functionalities.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.0 — 2018-12-06

Added additional programs for the Robotics: Smart Machines – Tracks & Treads Edition

### 2.0.9 — 2017-09-24

2.0.9: Added support for both 32- and 64-bit devices
2.0.4: Added additional programs for the Robotics: Smart Machines - Rovers & Vehicles Edition

### 2.0.4 — 2017-07-05

Added additional programs for the Robotics: Smart Machines - Rovers & Vehicles Edition

### 2.0.3 — 2016-11-15

2.0.3
Updated and increased device support

2.0.1
Bluetooth connectivity improvements:
In mid-2016, we made some changes to the electronic hardware in the Robotics: Smart Machines kit. If you have a kit manufactured after June 1, 2016, you will need this new version of the app to establish the Bluetooth connection between the hardware and your mobile device.
The app is backwards compatible; the new app will work with the previous versions of the hardware that were manufactured before June 2016.

### 2.0.1 — 2016-10-07

Bluetooth connectivity improvements:
In mid-2016, we made some changes to the electronic hardware in the Robotics: Smart Machines kit. If you have a kit manufactured after June 1, 2016, you will need this new version of the app to establish the Bluetooth connection between the hardware and your mobile device.
The app is backwards compatible; the new app will work with the previous versions of the hardware that were manufactured before June 2016.

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All apps by Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG: https://appshunter.io/developer/375309682

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*