Makeblock mBot Ranger
The mBot Ranger is a 3-in-1 robot kit with a sturdy metal frame. Build it as a tank, a speedy three-wheeler or a self-balancing robot, then code each one with drag-and-drop blocks or Arduino.
Shop the Makeblock mBot Ranger range
Start with the Ranger kit, then add the Bluetooth controller for driving and game-style projects.
mBot Ranger Kit – 3-in-1 Robot Building Set – Ages 8+
The full kit. Build Land Raider, Dashing Raptor or Nervous Bird, with sensors, Bluetooth and a metal frame included.
Bluetooth Controller – Multi-Language Coding Tool
A wireless gamepad for driving the Ranger and building game-style coding projects.
Build, rebuild and explore with one kit
The same parts rebuild into three different robots, so learners discover how design changes the way a robot moves.
Land Raider
Crawler tracks grip rough ground, so it handles slopes, grass and obstacles that stop wheeled robots.
Dashing Raptor
A light, fast build for speed challenges, racing and line-following tracks.
Nervous Bird
Stands upright on two wheels using its gyroscope, a hands-on way to see how sensors keep a robot steady.
Sensors that connect coding to the real world
mBot Ranger comes with light, sound, temperature and ultrasonic sensors, a line follower and a gyroscope. Learners use them to avoid obstacles, follow tracks, keep balance and measure their surroundings.
Every project turns into something learners can test, watch and improve, which builds logical thinking and problem-solving.
Start with blocks, grow into real code
Drag-and-drop blocks in mBlock mean learners don't need to type code to get going, so they can focus on how programs work.
When they're ready, the same robot can be programmed in Arduino C, so there's room to keep growing without buying new hardware.
From the classroom to Antarctica
In 2018, students from schools in Portugal and Bulgaria used mBot Ranger in a simulated Antarctic expedition, collecting and analysing environmental data along the way.
It shows how far the Ranger can go: from a first classroom build to science, technology and collaboration projects.
Why choose the Makeblock mBot Ranger for coding and robotics?
The mBot Ranger combines engineering and coding in one kit. Learners build a robot from aluminium parts, rebuild it into two more designs, and program each one, so they learn how structure, sensors and code work together.
Built for South African classrooms
The metal frame stands up to repeated building and rebuilding, and the three designs give a class plenty to work on across a term.
Real engineering, not just coding
Learners use screws, brackets and motors to build each robot, then see how design choices change speed, grip and balance. Add the Bluetooth controller for driving challenges.
Try it, compare it, get help
Try mBlock online for free, compare other robots in our range, or get help with a robot you already own.
Three coding levels with one mBot Ranger
Every level uses the same robot, so it keeps being useful as skills develop.
Build and drive
Learners build their first Ranger, then drive it over Bluetooth and try simple coding challenges on a tablet or phone.
Block coding with mBlock 5
Scratch-style blocks teach sequences, loops, events and conditions, using the ultrasonic sensor, line follower and motors.
Text coding with Arduino
Switch to Arduino C to write real code, program the self-balancing Nervous Bird and build more advanced sensor projects.
Try mBlock onlineMakeblock mBot Ranger in South Africa, backed by Support Your School
Buy locally with stock on hand, and get support from a team that works with schools every day.
Talk to us about school orders
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the mBot Ranger suitable for?
We recommend mBot Ranger for ages 8 and up. Younger children can start with our screen-free mTiny robot range.
What are the three mBot Ranger builds?
Land Raider is a tracked tank for rough ground, Dashing Raptor is a fast three-wheeled racer, and Nervous Bird is a self-balancing two-wheeled robot. All three are built from the same kit.
Does the mBot Ranger need to be assembled?
Yes. The Ranger comes as a kit that learners build themselves, and rebuilding it into the other designs is part of the learning.
What device do I need?
mBot Ranger can be coded with mBlock on a computer or in a web browser, or controlled and coded from a tablet or phone through the Makeblock app over Bluetooth.
Which coding languages does it use?
Learners start with Scratch-style block coding in mBlock, then move on to Arduino C on the same robot as their skills grow.
How is the mBot Ranger different from mBot2?
mBot Ranger focuses on building and engineering, with three robot designs in one kit. mBot2 is a single robot with a built-in screen and Wi-Fi that moves from blocks to Python, AI and IoT projects.
Is mBot Ranger suitable for classrooms?
Yes. Its metal frame is made for repeated use, and the three builds give learners plenty of projects. We can also help with school orders and support.
Where can I buy the mBot Ranger in South Africa?
You can order the mBot Ranger directly from Support Your School. We keep local stock, deliver across South Africa and help schools with bulk orders and quotes.