Tyneside firm ships educational robots to Miami after hard-won order

A Tyneside start-up that creates robots that introduce children to programming from an early age has shipped some of its products to Miami.

Roamer Robotics creates screen-free, modular robots that feature a keypad for programming them to perform different manoeuvres. The units have a voice and sound and can be instructed to play music and come with a range of jackets that can transform them into a dog, a car or a spider.

The technology was invented by engineer Dave Catlin who has produced a number of research papers on the topic. Mike Carter, CEO of Roamer Robotics, set up the company in 2022 to carry on what he called the floor robot tradition in education.

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Now the firm has sent a number of its products to the US following a major order. Roamer robots have been sent to Miami, Florida for use by Miami-Dade County Schools to be used within the state's floor robots training programme.

The deal follows Roamer's recent work with neighbouring Swift Electronics Ltd - a provider of printed circuit boards that has premises on Saltmeadows Road in Gateshead. Swift supplied circuit boards for the robots and programmed them to follow commands and assembled them before shipment.

Mike Carter, Roamer Robotics CEO, said: "It has been a hard-fought battle to gain the order for the training, having to navigate the complex logistical issues around exporting abroad and especially to the United States of America. I'm delighted that through the support of our logistics partner InXpress in Gateshead we've been able to fulfil this exciting order. I strongly believe that once each teacher becomes confident in using the floor robot, they will want more."

Swift Electronics Ltd, managing director, Jonathan Sloane added: "It has been an absolute pleasure supporting Mike and the team at Roamer. It’s great to see another Gateshead company doing well and we wish them a fantastic 2025."

Roamer says its robots support the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) agenda by providing a non-threatening tool for use in learning settings. It says the technology - which features four difficulty levels suitable for young children through to adults - can help spur curiosity and develop critical thinking, creativity, confidence and computational thinking.