Innovative company thrives with Lego-based unmanned aerial vehicles
Flybrix: Merging Legos and Drones for Educational Fun
Flybrix, a company that has revolutionized the way children learn about drones and engineering, offers a unique blend of Lego-based construction with drone technology. This innovative approach appeals to young learners interested in robotics and aviation, providing them with an interactive platform to understand the intricacies of drone mechanics, electronics, and flight principles [1].
Amir Hirsch, the CEO and co-founder of Flybrix, grew up playing with Legos. His passion for both Legos and technology led him to found Zigfu in 2011, which received seed funding through Ycombinator to build and market an API for motion games and gesture user interfaces [2]. However, it was advice from an MIT alumnus that Hirsch found integral to his career. He later summarized this advice in a 2013 blog post that was picked up by Forbes, emphasizing the importance of developing a market approach for acquiring customers and using technology to create a defensible position [2].
Building a Flybrix drone is a hands-on experience. The drones are built by hand, and their design is customizable. Each kit includes motors, a fully-routed Arduino board, and a lithium polymer battery. The learning opportunities provided by Flybrix are vast, ranging from understanding the feedback system for maintaining drone stability to the basics of aerodynamics and electromechanics [1].
Flybrix kits are suitable for both children and adults. In fact, Flybrix primarily targets young people aged 14 and older, but Hirsch expects interest from retired pilots as well. The company has sold nearly 500 units to school systems worldwide, including many in STEM-focused programs in Australia. In 2016, Flybrix sold over 8,000 drone kits online, and the company aims to be in national retail chains by December 2021 [3].
Crashing drones during demonstrations is a common occurrence for Hirsch. However, he has only lost one Flybrix drone so far, which is stuck above the white board in the Flybrix office and is inaccessible without taking down the wall. Despite this, Hirsch remains optimistic about the future of Flybrix, believing that the company is making a significant contribution to STEM education [4].
References:
[1] Flybrix. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.flybrix.com/about-us
[2] Hirsch, A. (2013). How I Built a Company on a Blog Post About a Startup. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/amirhirsch/2013/01/03/how-i-built-a-company-on-a-blog-post-about-a-startup/?sh=65d3f3e27e6d
[3] Flybrix. (n.d.). Our Story. Retrieved from https://www.flybrix.com/our-story
[4] Flybrix. (n.d.). Press. Retrieved from https://www.flybrix.com/press
- The technology sector has seen the emergence of a unique startup named Flybrix, which merges Lego-based construction with drone technology, catering to both children and adults interested in engineering and science.
- Amir Hirsch, the CEO and co-founder of Flybrix, has a notable background in technology, having previously founded Zigfu in 2011, a startup that received seed funding for an API for motion games and gesture user interfaces, and also shared valuable insights about acquiring customers through technology in a 2013 blog post that was highlighted by Forbes.
- Flybrix kits provide a hands-on learning experience, teaching children as young as 14 about various engineering concepts such as aerodynamics, electromechanics, and drone flight principles, while also offering opportunities to understand the basics of computing and electronics.
- With innovative products and a strong focus on education, Flybrix has gained significant success, selling nearly 500 units to school systems worldwide and planning to expand into national retail chains by December 2021.
- Despite the occasional mishap, such as crashing drones during demonstrations, Flybrix's founder, Amir Hirsch, remains optimistic about the company's future, believing that their work in the field of STEM education will continue to make a significant impact.
