BUYER GUIDE
True Robotics makes three coding robots, each built for a specific K–8 grade band. This guide compares the Treads Robot, the Pilot Robot Kit, and the Axle Robot Kit side by side so you can pick the right one for your students, your software stack, and your budget. Every robot uses block-based drag-and-drop coding — no typing required.
| Feature | Treads Robot | Pilot Robot Kit | Axle Robot Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade range | K–3 (ages 5–9) | Grades 3–5 | Grades 6–8 |
| Best for | First-time coders in early elementary | Upper elementary students starting hands-on robotics | Middle schoolers ready for real engineering |
| Price | $249 | Quote (school / district pricing) | Quote (school / district pricing) |
| Coding style | Block-based drag-and-drop | Block-based drag-and-drop | Block-based drag-and-drop with sensors and conditionals |
| Software | Treads Playground | Trubots Playground | Trubots Playground |
| Where it runs | iOS, Android, Web | Any web browser (Windows, Mac, iPad, Chromebook, Android) | Any web browser (Windows, Mac, iPad, Chromebook, Android) |
| Connection | Bluetooth | Bluetooth or USB | Bluetooth or USB |
| Wi-Fi required | No | No (after initial app load) | No (after initial app load) |
| Student accounts | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Build / assembly | Pre-built — out of the box | Build it, wire it, code it | Build it, wire it, code it (more components) |
| Sensors and motors | Onboard motors, no add-on sensors | Programmable motors, basic sensors | Additional sensors and motors for engineering challenges |
| Battery life | ~2 hours per USB charge | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Curriculum alignment | 30+ guided activities, K–3 progression | Guided STEM challenges aligned to grades 3–5 | Engineering and coding challenges for grades 6–8 |
| Classroom packs | Available — bulk pricing on request | Quote-based — schools and districts | Quote-based — schools and districts |
| Purchase orders | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
| Returns | 30-day returns | 30-day returns | 30-day returns |
Most schools that buy from True Robotics use all three robots together as a single K–8 progression. The same drag-and-drop coding model carries through every grade — students don't have to relearn how to code when they move from elementary to middle school. The hardware and the level of challenge are what change.
Treads is a pre-built tank-treaded coding robot for K–3 ($249). Pilot is a buildable programmable robot kit for grades 3–5 (quote-only). Axle is an advanced kit for grades 6–8 with additional sensors and motors (quote-only). All three use block-based drag-and-drop coding.
The Treads Robot is built for K–3. It comes pre-assembled, connects to the free Treads Playground app over Bluetooth, and does not require student accounts or Wi-Fi. Most kindergarten and first-grade classrooms can have students writing their first code blocks in under 10 minutes.
The Pilot Robot Kit is the best fit for 4th and 5th grade. Students build and wire the robot and program it with Trubots Playground in any web browser. It introduces functions, loops, conditionals, and basic sensors — the core concepts students need before moving to the Axle in middle school.
The Axle Robot Kit is designed for grades 6–8. It includes additional sensors and motors and supports more advanced engineering and coding challenges, including multi-sensor logic and variables, while keeping the same Trubots Playground software students used in Pilot.
You can, but most schools see better results using the full progression. Treads keeps K–3 students engaged with hardware sized for their hands and a dedicated app. Pilot and Axle ramp the engineering challenge as students grow. The block-coding model is consistent across all three, so students never have to relearn the basics.
No. The Treads Playground app connects to the Treads Robot over Bluetooth and works fully offline. Trubots Playground (used by Pilot and Axle) loads in a browser and then connects to the robot directly — no student accounts and no Wi-Fi needed during class.
Yes. True Robotics accepts purchase orders from schools and districts for all three products (Treads, Pilot, and Axle) and offers bulk and district pricing on request.
The Treads Robot is $249 retail with classroom pack pricing on request. The Pilot Robot Kit and Axle Robot Kit are quote-only — schools and districts can request a custom quote at truerobotics.org/quote.
Talk to True Robotics about which robot — or which combination — fits your grade levels, your budget, and your curriculum. Schools and districts get bulk pricing and may pay by purchase order.
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