21st Century Robot

Chapter 3. Design

In this chapter we’ll meet the person who first designed Jimmy, illustrator Sandy Winkelman. He tells us about his inspiration and who he hoped Jimmy would be. Then we talk with designer Wayne Losey, who brought Jimmy into the physical world. Using computer design tools and 3D printing technology, Jimmy was printed in multiple sizes. Next, we chat with Dr. Melissa Gregg, who asks if our robot is a boy or a girl, and explains why it’s an important question. Finally, we meet Ms. Moore’s first-grade students, who became inspired by Jimmy and designed their own robots. Ms. Moore shares their vision for the future of robotics as they answer the question: what would you want Jimmy to do?

Robots in the Backyard

At the back of Sandy Winkelman’s ...