FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Robotics Education Software

Open Roberta Lab

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Visit Open Roberta Lab Alternatives Pricing

Open Roberta Lab's own site

What Open Roberta Lab is

Open Roberta Lab is a browser-based environment for learning to program robots and microcontrollers. Its NEPO language uses visual blocks that learners assemble by dragging and dropping, and the Lab supports hardware ranging from Arduino boards and Calliope mini to LEGO Mindstorms EV3 and NAO. When a physical robot is not available, Open Roberta Sim lets users write programs for virtual robots. The Lab also includes tools for creating and using artificial neural networks within NEPO programs. It can be used in a standard browser on a PC, Mac, or tablet without installation; iOS and Android apps are also listed. Programming is possible without an account, but an account is needed to save programs and settings. Sharing programs or publishing them in the gallery requires a verified email account. The service is free and includes classroom tools and a curriculum library. Its intended audience spans children, young people, trainees, and employees exploring STEM and technology.

Who it suits

It suits learners and educators exploring programming through robots, from beginners to mixed-level groups. It is also useful when hardware is unavailable, since users can work with virtual robots.

What it does well

  • Free to use with no installation in a browser.
  • Supports a broad range of robot and hardware systems.
  • Simulator enables programming without physical hardware.
  • Classroom tools and curriculum library are included.
  • Neural network integration works with NEPO programs.

What to know first

  • Sharing requires a verified account with an email address.
  • Saving programs and settings requires an account.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
FreeFree to use · browser-based · no installation requiredFree

As lab.open-roberta.org lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open https://lab.open-roberta.org/ in a supported web browser.
  2. Choose a supported robot or hardware system, or use the simulator.
  3. Build a program with NEPO blocks by dragging and arranging them.
  4. Create an account if you want to save programs and settings.
  5. Verify an account with an email address to share programs or publish them in the gallery.

Verdict

Open Roberta Lab combines block-based coding, robot support, and simulation in a free learning environment. Users can start without an account, though saving and sharing work requires one.

Questions

Is Open Roberta Lab free?

Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and is free to use.

Can I use it without an account?

Yes. You can program without an account. An account enables saving programs and settings; sharing or gallery publishing requires a verified email address.

Which platforms are supported?

It works in a browser on PCs, Macs, and tablets, and has iOS and Android mobile apps.

Does it support programming without a physical robot?

Yes. Open Roberta Sim lets users program virtual robots.

Which hardware does it support?

Supported systems include Arduino boards, Calliope mini, LEGO Mindstorms EV3, micro:bit, NAO, LEGO SPIKE Prime, and others.

Where can I get help?

The maker directs users to its Wiki and FAQ, and offers email support for questions that remain unresolved.

Facts from Open Roberta Lab's own pages

Accounts
Users can program without an account, while an account enables saving programs and settings for later use in the Lab. · roberta-home.de, 3 Oct 2026
Browser access
The platform can be used without installation from devices with a standard internet browser, including PCs, Macs, and tablets. · open-roberta.org, 3 Oct 2026
Data retention
The privacy information says visitor IP addresses are automatically deleted from server log files after 30 days. · roberta-home.de, 3 Oct 2026
Hardware support
The Lab supports multiple robot and hardware systems, including LEGO Mindstorms EV3, Calliope mini, and NAO. · open-roberta.org, 3 Oct 2026
Intended users
The Roberta initiative describes its aim as engaging children, young people, trainees, and employees with STEM topics and technology. · open-roberta.org, 3 Oct 2026
Neural networks
The Lab includes an integration for creating and using artificial neural networks in NEPO programs. · roberta-home.de, 3 Oct 2026
Privacy and hosting
The privacy information says the website is hosted on Fraunhofer IAIS servers in Germany and personal data are not transferred outside the EU. · roberta-home.de, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose
Open Roberta Lab is an online programming environment for robots and microcontrollers, aimed at helping people learn programming. · open-roberta.org, 3 Oct 2026
Sharing limit
Sharing programs with others or publishing them in the gallery requires a verified account with an email address. · roberta-home.de, 3 Oct 2026
Simulation
The Open Roberta Sim lets users program virtual robots when they do not have hardware available. · open-roberta.org, 3 Oct 2026
Support
The maker directs users to its Wiki and FAQ and offers email support for questions that remain unresolved. · open-roberta.org, 3 Oct 2026
Visual programming
NEPO is a graphical, block-based programming language that users assemble with drag and drop. · open-roberta.org, 3 Oct 2026

Where Open Roberta Lab stands on Freedom251

Look at these too