Your Questions Answered:
Below are some of the questions users have asked us about MiRo.
Click here to ask your own question in the form below or visit our contact page for more direct help.
For technical FAQs click the button below, which will take you to our Labs + Documentation page, or head to our Forum.
What is Miro-E?
MiRo-E is a highly specified, flexible, low-cost, programmable AI robotic platform, developed to mimic familiar domestic animal-like behaviour.
What does Miro do?
MiRo-E is programmed to react to humans and to other MiRo’s through recognition, movement, sound and light. It is autonomous in demonstration / pastoral care mode. It responds to touch, stroking and sound. It is a proven flexible & useful tool for sophisticated university research. It could potentially help with therapy for neurological conditions [from SEN to dementia], and we are pursuing research in these areas.
It is up to you! - We view MiRo as a ‘non-binary’ digital device.
What gender is MiRo?
We mostly work in Python, though we provide also some examples in C++, and of course the MiRoSim App uses Blockly.
But any language that can talk to the ROS (Robot Operating System) interface can be used with MiRo. For software running on the robot, the on-board environment is Raspbian Linux.
What is MiRos programming language?
MiRo communicates using WiFi / Bluetooth / USB, which allows:
Bluetooth set-up and behaviour configuration using MiRo-E Android App.
WiFi gives access to higher power computing and cloud services.
How do I connect to MiRo?
What age group is Miro suitable for?
The 3rd Gen. MiRo-E has been specifically developed for education, including:
Primary schools using the physical MiRo-E and the simple to grasp MiRo Educational programming Interface [MiRoCODE] to teach younger pupils basic robotics and coding principles.
Secondary schools using MiRoCODE with Blockly or Python, or development in Python and C++, programming languages.
A classroom pet in early school learning [a pastoral care mode is coming soon].
Research into therapy for Special Educational Needs and older age related issues.
Depending on aptitude, we would suggest students below age 7 interact primarily with the physical MiRo-E (to explore simple STEM, Robotics, Engineering and Programming concepts) and students older than 7 start utilising MiRoCODE.
Advanced students can use a separate Linux development environment [our MDK] to explore more complex research and behaviours.
How many MiRo’s do you need per class?
Only one MiRo-E is needed per classroom, however MiRo-E’s interact wonderfully with each other so two or three per class is an ideal.
The browser-based simulator interface means individual pupils code a virtual robot, observe how behaves on screen, and fix any bugs, before they download to the physical robot.
MiRo-E arrives with the required software loaded, and the software is frequently updated by our outstanding development team. MiRoCODE allows students to code in Blockly or Python to provide an accessible and structured approach to programming MiRo-E.
There’s a full-physics 3D robot simulator (Gazebo) for speedy code development and testing using one MiRo-E per class.
Click here to learn more about the simulator.
How does the MiRo Educational programming Interface [MiRoCODE] work?
MiRo is an interactive robot that engages students and stimulates creativity - perfect for introducing coding concepts and developing imaginative coding programmes. Build your code, simulate the behaviour, then run it on the MiRo robot! These interactive and socially engaging experiences in the classroom make STEM enjoyable for students so they learn quickly and produce real results. The versatility of Blockly and Python mode, and the addition of our preprogrammed coding blocks, caters to any learning level from KS1 into University and beyond: the coding possibilities are endless. We have designed lesson plans to teach against the KS1,2 & 3 UK curriculum so you can begin teaching with MiRo today! For more information head to our ‘Education’ page: https://www.miro-e.com/education
If you would like to find out more we would be happy to answer any questions: sales@consequentialrobotics.com
I am thinking about using MiRo in my school. What’s the best way to use MiRo as a learning tool and how is it better than other coding tools out there?
What else is MiRo useful for?
MiRo is proving to be useful as a pastoral and cognitive therapy tool for, and we are continuing to research more into:
Special Educational Needs in children and adults.
High level university research looking to hack robots or do their own custom programming.
What is MiRo’s battery life and
how is it charged?
MiRo comes with a rechargeable battery pack and inline charger.
The battery life varies with usage, but it is approximately 6+ hours active and 12+ hours standby.
We check every MiRo carefully before dispatching it to you so it is unlikely that you will receive a broken robot, unless it was heavily damaged in transportation. Please charge your MiRo to full before use. Follow the unboxing guide here: https://www.miro-e.com/unboxing
I’ve just unpacked my MiRo from the box and turned it on but it isn’t responding. Is my MiRo broken?
The MiRo robot comes pre-loaded with all the latest software. If you have any issues with this at all please contact: support@consequentialrobotics.com
You will need to download the MiRo app to run a demo or to adjust controllers on your MiRo robot. Head here for guidance: https://www.miro-e.com/miroapp
You will also need to sign up to MiRoCLOUD in order to have full access to the learning tool: https://www.miro-e.com/mirocloud
Should I download software onto MiRo when I first use it?
In order to run MiRo on demo mode, turn the robot on and enable your bluetooth and MiRoApp. Once configured, you can adjust controllers to suit your needs and MiRo will run autonomously. MiRo is packed full of sensors so it will respond to its environment - including any petting or stroking.
How do I get MiRo to move around autonomously? I want to use it for a demonstration but won’t have time to keep running code.
MiRo has in total 28 capacitive touch sensors, 14 of these are in the head. This means that MiRo does interact well with touch and you will see positive emotion displays such as wagging tail and flashing green lights. Try different pressure or position of touch - MiRo particularly likes being stroked on its back and under its chin!
If you still think that there isn’t much response, please reach out to: support@consequentialrobotics.com
MiRo is not responding when I stroke it…
You won’t be able to sign up for CQR Hub without first receiving a personal link. Sign up to MiRoCLOUD on this page and you will shortly receive your link and further instructions: https://www.miro-e.com/mirocloud
Why can’t I access the CQR Hub?
What is the potential with MiRo?
MiRo, with the right know-how and programming, could be manipulated by advanced users to perform a wide range of custom functions:
Stereo HD vision could be programmed for:
Facial recognition and analysis of mood and body language
Situational awareness
Optical navigation using objects and ceiling for reference points
User-programmed applications for the quad microphones might include:
Acoustic mapping to understand where sounds are coming from
Respond to ambient noise so behaviour reacts to it
Obey certain voice commands
Analysis of voice detecting abnormal stress or excitement.
Situational awareness
WiFi /Bluetooth/USB then could give access to:
Higher power computing for more sophisticated tasks such as SLAM navigation and sophisticated facial recognition analysis
Operation in remote environments for security and surveying
Cloud services such as Alexa, Siri and Google
The only constraint is your skill and imagination!
How do I get one?
The UK retail price of MiRo is £2,450 + Tax / VAT + shipping
First production batch of MiRo-Es have now been oversubscribed, but we are now taking orders for April 2019 delivery.
Visit and buy online at our e-shop by clicking the button below.
Can we buy multiple MiRo's?
Contact our office if you need to use purchase orders, buy more than five or are eligible for concessions.
There is an introductory discount for non-private primary and secondary schools offered in the United Kingdom only.
This includes our one year guarantee on manufacturing defects & online support.
What is MiRo’s technical specification?
Below is a summary of the main technical elements of MiRo. For more detailed specifications please visit our Lab site by clicking this link.
Core:
Raspberry Pi 3B+
Quad core 1.4 GHz
1GB RAM, 16GB micro-SD Raspbian, ROS ready
Precision:
Accelerometers;
1 in body, 1 in head
Vision:
2 HD cameras 720p
Proximity:
Sonar up to 1m
Detection:
4x light sensors 2x cliff sensors
Drive:
2 differential drive wheels with opto sensors
Up to 0.4m/s
Sound:
4x 16-bit microphone 1x loudspeaker (streamable)
Interactive:
28 capacitive touch sensors; 14 in body, 14 in head
Connected:
Bluetooth – WiFi – USB expansion ports
Movement:
3 main DOF Lift, yaw and pitch with position sensors
Emotion:
6 independent RGB LEDs
Expressive:
Tail droop/wag Eyelids open/close Ears rotate
Size & Weight:
The MiRo 3rd generation weighs 3kg (or 2.8kg without the battery pack), is 36cm tall and 34cm in length.
Certification:
MiRo-E is CE, Au & FCC certified.
Still have a question?
Please do feel free to ask us a question below, or visit our contact page to get in touch!