It's not easy to get kids keen on doing things like coding, but these programmable robots from Play-i hopes to foster that interest at an earlier age. Using an iPad app, kids as young as 5 years old can learn programming concepts while playing with these robots, who have adorable been nicknamed "Bo and Yana".

So why use robots to teach kids to program? According to Vikas Gupta, the co-founder and CEO of Play-i,  young children do not have motor skills and language skills necessary to use a keyboard or type letters. Interacting with an iPad is much more accessible to them, which in turn allows them to understand programming concepts at a much earlier age.



The company is currently running a crowdfunding campaign to help with its planned summer 2014 launch. Early pledgers can donate $49 for Yana, and $149 for Bo. These prices should climb to a respective $69 and $199 once the robots reach the market. You can also donate $499 to get a developer combo that includes both machines as well as early access to an API.