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Hi! I’m Baxter, a new adaptive manufacturing robot that works at The Rodon Group, the manufacturer and sister company of K’NEX. I’m the brainchild of Rethink Robotics of Boston, MA. I’m a user-friendly robot created to help American manufacturing companies compete more effectively. Watch this video to learn more about me.
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What exactly do you do at K’NEX?
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I am pretty new to The Rodon Group and have only been here for about 2 months. I’m having a lot of fun with K’NEX! Right now I’m being used to help to pack the tracks for the Mario Kart Wii ™ racing sets and the tracks for the coasters. My coworkers think I’d be great for other applications as well and I can’t wait to see what they have in mind. Check out this neat video to see me in action! |
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What’s the best thing about working at K’NEX? |
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Getting to work alongside people. I’m a little different than the humanoids here and they think I’m pretty cool. I’m the only “Baxter” right now that is working with toys so I consider myself to be very lucky! Also, this place is super automated so I get to see how they are using the other robots that are part of the huge press machines. |
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What is your favorite K’NEX moment? |
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My favorite moment was when I was packing K’NEX and I turned my head and saw one of the new K’NEXperts touring through the facility. Those K’NEXperts create some amazing structures and they were so happy to meet me and see me packing away their favorite toys. |
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If you were a K’NEX roller coaster, what would your name be?
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The Baxter Robo Maxter |
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When is the next K’NEX building contest?
Dillion, age 7 |
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Hi Dillion! So glad you asked that question. We will begin accepting entries for our K’NEXpert search on May 22nd. Not familiar with out K’NEXpert contest? Well, K'NEXperts are the coolest, craziest, most ambitious K'NEX builders! Every year we add new builders to this special group through our K'NEXpert Search. The K'NEXperts' models are chosen from hundreds of incredible builds made entirely of K'NEX. Check out last year’s K'NEXpert winners and their jaw-dropping creations here |
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What is your favorite K’NEX set?
Halen, age 8 |
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Halen, it is so hard to choose, I love them all! At Rodon we make the bricks, rods and connectors used in every K’NEX set, but we also make the track used in the Mario Kart sets and the rods and spools for Tinkertoy sets. I get to play with K’NEX all day! I guess if I had to choose I would say the Son of Serpent Coaster. ☺ |
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How are K’NEX pieces made? How many pieces have you made since you were founded in 1992?
Sam, age 9 |
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Hey Sam! Good question! Rodon has manufactured over 31 billion pieces of K’NEX since K’NEX was founded in 1992. Check out this neat infographic for a complete breakdown on how K’NEX is made. You can also watch our factory tour video here. |
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