From the Entrepreneur’s Perspective: The Contribution of Robotics Coding to Education, Notes for Entrepreneurs and Investors
At Boğaziçi Ventures, we continue to share insights from our portfolio companies through our BV Insights newsletter. In this week’s article, Özlem Değirmenci, Partner and Business Development Manager at Riders—an edtech company founded in 2019 to empower young generations in new technology fields and make them a productive generation, and one of our BV Growth portfolio companies—provides a detailed perspective on the transformative power of robotics coding in education, and shares valuable insights for entrepreneurs and investors. Enjoy reading!
At Boğaziçi Ventures, we continue to share insights from our portfolio companies through our BV Insights newsletter. In this week’s article, Özlem Değirmenci, Partner and Business Development Manager at Riders—an edtech company founded in 2019 to empower young generations in new technology fields and make them a productive generation, and one of our BV Growth portfolio companies—provides a detailed perspective on the transformative power of robotics coding in education, and shares valuable insights for entrepreneurs and investors. Enjoy reading!
What Is Robotics Coding?
Robotics coding refers to the process of designing robots to perform specific tasks through algorithms and programming languages. These robots can perceive their surroundings with sensors, move, and gain decision-making ability through artificial intelligence technology. As a constantly evolving field, when robotics coding is integrated into school curricula, it prepares children for the technologies of the future starting today.
The Importance of Robotics Coding in Education
In today’s world, robots integrated with hardware and software products perform many tasks that make our lives easier. Programming languages developed for robots increase their processing capacity. With a robotics coding curriculum, students learn how robots function and develop new products.
As part of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), more schools are adding robotics coding to their education programs, and its importance is also increasing in Turkey. According to a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research, integrating robotics coding into STEM education makes learning more enjoyable and lasting. In this study, 37 teachers reported that students’ interest and engagement in lessons increased.
Students who receive robotics coding education are better prepared for digital transformation processes when they enter the workforce in the future. Educational institutions working on robotics coding curricula demonstrate the importance of technology, attracting greater interest from students and parents. Thus, teaching robotics coding also enhances institutional reputation.
Contributions of Robotics Coding to Students’ Education
Robotics coding significantly supports students’ educational journey and future careers:
Creativity: Children propose new solutions and test their ideas by building robots, laying the foundation for future career success.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Robotics education fosters both individual and group work, enhancing communication, coordination, and planning skills.
Problem-Solving: Students learn to analyze and break down problems into smaller parts, improving their ability to solve challenges efficiently.
Technical Knowledge: Students gain deeper technical skills by learning robot mechanics, circuits, and programming.
Planning Skills: Managing robotics projects through analysis, design, development, and testing helps develop effective planning skills.
Career Opportunities: Robotics coding opens pathways to careers connected with AI, data science, IoT, and other technologies.
Digital Transformation
At an early age, children learn how robots and mechanical components work with enthusiasm. They analyze whether their robots meet intended needs and come up with solutions. This curiosity-driven process plays a key role in achieving digital transformation goals.
Where Is Robotics Coding Used?
Robots are widely applied across multiple industries:
Manufacturing: For efficiency and safety in production lines.
Healthcare: To conduct surgeries, interpret test results, and assess health risks.
Transportation: In autonomous vehicles that perceive their surroundings.
Agriculture: For sowing, irrigation, and spraying, improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Overall, robotics provides advantages such as reducing workload, improving decision-making, boosting efficiency, and accelerating processes across industries like healthcare, transportation, agriculture, finance, and retail.
Notes for Entrepreneurs and Investors
Robotics coding integrates with AI, data science, cybersecurity, AR, NLP, business intelligence, big data, deep learning, IoT, and machine learning—shaping future lifestyles. For entrepreneurs and investors, it opens the doors to a high-potential global trend.
Coding and robotics development have gained importance as part of policies focused on developing computational thinking skills. Problem-solving, creativity, analytical thinking, and collaborative work—all considered 21st-century skills—are effectively fostered by robotics coding.
Research shows that coding enhances students’ digital literacy, encourages creativity, and strengthens problem-solving skills. Products developed in this field that adapt to new paradigms and equip students with computational thinking will make a significant difference. Edtech startups that scale real-world skills and adapt to changing methodologies will benefit from the rising wave of investments.
About Riders
Riders, a simulation-based robotics coding education platform, was founded in 2020. It aims to make robotics and critical 21st-century computing skills accessible to all. Riders provides middle and high school students with practical, simulation-based training in computing concepts.
Through Riders, schools can teach computing fundamentals via real-world scenarios and digital twin projects. Students can also participate in Turkey’s first online robotics league, the Riders Robotics League, where they compete nationally and globally under the guidance of mentors.
By offering solutions for the growing global demand for robotics, Riders continues to expand. To invest in Riders or benefit from its educational offerings, you can contact: [email protected]
For more than 10 years, we at Boğaziçi Ventures have worked with dedication to contribute to Turkey’s tech startup ecosystem. With our deep expertise and powerful network, we support entrepreneurs. To grow your tech startup and join our global network, apply today with Boğaziçi Ventures!