Article updated on March 31, 2025 by Byothe
"A computer that everyone can do"... This is the slogan of the creators of Canoe, the computer in kit form!
From a crowdfunding campaign (through crowdfunding) on Kickstarter, Kano is a kit that aims to explain very concretely how a computer works and to introduce the basics of programming with a fun dimension.
As simple as Lego or Mecano, Kano is an educational kit available for pre-order on Kano.me for €119 (+€19.99 shipping) and which will be delivered from July 2014.
The pack includes:
- an assembly manual
- a programming manual
- an 8GB memory card that integrates the operating system (for the more initiated, Kano OS is derived from the free operating system Debian)
- a speaker for sound
- un Raspberry Pi model B
- a keyboard
- a box
- stencils for decoration
- stickers
- cables: HDMI and micro-USB
- a universal power outlet
- a WiFi chip
So you will only need a screen… everything else is provided!
The manuals are very nicely illustrated and present all the steps step by step… a bit like an Ikea manual!
The programming manual will offer you to create a video player, a "snake" type game, a "pong" type game (see a web demo), a "Minecraft" style game and even compose your own music!
So, once the computer is assembled, you can then start programming, playing, making music... all in a very fun way in the form of "challenges".
In short, Kano is a very nice project, fun and relatively inexpensive… To try if you want to discover the basics of computing! By the way, I invite you to visit the website Kano.me which is also very successful!
So, are you going to give it a try? Let us know in the comments below!
