Overview
Magnetically linked foam modules snap into a drone, a hovercraft or custom shapes, which made it a crash-tolerant classroom toy. Programming is visual-only and there is no camera. Makeblock has since focused on other products. Leftover units still circulate.
- Type
- Drone · Indoor drones
- Maker
- Makeblock (China)
- Released
- 2016
- Price
- Was $149
- Status
- Discontinued · used/leftover only
- Best for
- Ages 8+
- Programming
- No SDK, app / visual programming only
Price and shipping
Kickstarter launch in October 2016 (about $830K raised) with a planned $149 retail price. Later discounted by some resellers.
Shipping: If stock turns up. No longer listed in Makeblock's online store. Leftover and used units appear on Amazon and eBay.
Specifications
| Category | Drones · Indoor drones |
|---|---|
| Released | 2016 |
| Country | China |
| Availability | Discontinued · used/leftover only |
| Sales | 5,307 Kickstarter backers (2016, estimate) Kickstarter ↗ |
| Programmability | No SDK, app / visual programming only |
| Built-in autonomy | None / scripted · Moves only when controlled, or plays preset motions |
| LLM support | None · No built-in LLM and no SDK to connect one. |
| Best for | Ages 8+ (maker rating) |
| Vision sensors | No vision sensors |
| Actuators | DC / gear motors |
| Audio | No audio |
| Compute type | Proprietary / undisclosed |
| Remote control | Not programmable |
| Size | Hexagonal modular frame, about 23 × 22 × 5 cm, 140–150 g as a drone, 195 g as a hovercraft |
| Drive | Modular hexacopter, reconfigures into a hovercraft/boat |
| Compute | Main control module (closed) |
| Vision | None |
| Lidar | None |
| Sensors | IMU, barometer |
| Runtime | About 6–8 min flying (7.4 V 700 mAh pack), up to 16 min as a hovercraft |
| Speed | Up to 1.5 m/s as a drone (2.5 m/s as a hovercraft) |
| SDK | Makeblock app block programming (Scratch-style) |
Common questions
How much does Airblock cost?
It sold for $149. Kickstarter launch in October 2016 (about $830K raised) with a planned $149 retail price. Later discounted by some resellers.
Can Airblock be bought today?
It is discontinued, though used or leftover units still turn up. No longer listed in Makeblock's online store. Leftover and used units appear on Amazon and eBay.
Who makes Airblock?
Airblock is made by Makeblock (China). It came out in 2016.
Can Airblock be programmed?
No SDK, app / visual programming only. Makeblock app block programming (Scratch-style).
Does Airblock have AI chat or LLM support?
None. No built-in LLM and no SDK to connect one.
What age is Airblock for?
Ages 8+, per the maker.
Ratings & reviews
Ratings and reviews load on the live site.
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