Terms of Service — PAWS

Last Updated: August 11, 2026

1. Agreement to Terms

By downloading, installing, opening, or using PAWS (the “App”), you (the “User”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and expressly agreed to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must refrain from installing or using the App and uninstall it immediately.

The App is educational in nature and may be used by minors. In such cases, the parent or legal guardian accepts these Terms on behalf of the minor, assumes all obligations set forth herein, and is responsible for supervising both the minor’s use of the App and the operation of the physical robot it controls.

2. Nature and Purpose of the App

PAWS is a mobile application for learning programming and robotics. The User assembles visual blocks into a program, and the App translates that program into PAWS v1.0 protocol frames that are sent over Bluetooth Classic (SPP) to a compatible ESP32-based robot owned or controlled by the User.

The App is intended for:

Teaching and learning programming concepts through visual blocks.
Controlling the User’s own educational robot.
Classroom, workshop, home, and hobby use.

The App does NOT connect to the internet, does not transmit data to external servers, and does not create accounts. All operation is local: the phone talks directly to the robot.

3. Key Features the User Acknowledges and Accepts

The User expressly acknowledges that the App includes the following technical features and understands their implications:

Bluetooth Classic connection. The App discovers nearby Bluetooth devices and connects to the one the User selects. Pairing, when required, is handled by the Android operating system.
Direct control of physical hardware. Commands sent by the App cause real, physical motion of motors, wheels, servos, and other peripherals on the robot.
Safety heartbeat. While a session is active, the App sends a periodic keep-alive signal. If the robot stops receiving it, the firmware performs an automatic stop. This is a firmware-level safety aid, not a guarantee that the robot will stop in every circumstance.
Pin configuration. The App can configure the robot’s hardware pins. Incorrect configuration may damage the robot, its peripherals, or connected components.
Timed motor commands. Motion commands run for a duration set by the User; the robot continues moving until the duration elapses or a stop command is received.
No remote kill switch. The Developer has no ability to stop, override, or intervene in a running robot. Control lies entirely with the User and the robot’s own power switch.

4. Robot Safety — User Responsibilities

Operating a physical robot carries inherent risks. The User agrees to:

Supervise operation at all times, especially when the operator is a minor.
Operate the robot only in a safe, clear area, away from stairs, ledges, water, open flame, animals, and bystanders.
Keep hands, hair, clothing, and cables away from wheels, gears, and moving parts.
Verify pin configuration and wiring before sending commands, and use a power supply appropriate for the hardware.
Never operate the robot near people who cannot move away from it on their own, or in environments where a collision could cause injury or damage.
Keep the robot’s physical power switch accessible so it can be turned off immediately.
Not modify the robot in ways that make it unsafe (excessive speed, sharp edges, unstable loads, unsuitable batteries).
Follow the safety instructions of the robot hardware manufacturer, which prevail over anything stated here in respect of the hardware itself.

The App is a control interface, not a safety system. It cannot detect obstacles, people, hazardous environments, or hardware faults.

5. Prohibited Conduct

The User agrees to use PAWS exclusively for lawful, ethical purposes and in compliance with applicable law. In particular, the User agrees NOT to:

Connect to, control, or interfere with robots or devices the User does not own or is not authorized to operate.
Use the App or a controlled robot to harass, injure, intimidate, or endanger any person or animal.
Use the App or a controlled robot to damage, trespass upon, or interfere with property belonging to others.
Attach or operate weapons, hazardous substances, incendiary devices, or any dangerous payload on a robot controlled by the App.
Use the App to conduct covert surveillance of any person.
Operate the robot in restricted or prohibited areas (airports, roads, industrial zones, hospitals, military facilities, etc.).
Reverse-engineer, decompile, or modify the App except to the extent such restriction is prohibited by applicable law.
Interfere with Bluetooth communications of third parties.

6. Limitation of Liability and Developer Disclaimer

THE USER EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT:

The App is a neutral tool that executes only the User’s instructions.
The Developer has no access, control, knowledge, or supervisory capacity over the robot, the environment in which it operates, or the programs created by the User, as the App operates entirely locally and does not transmit data to external servers.
The App is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or responsible for any robot hardware, kit, board, or firmware manufacturer. Compatibility with a given device is not guaranteed.
The Developer is not responsible for:
- Physical injury to the User or to third parties caused by a robot controlled with the App.
- Damage to the robot, its peripherals, the phone, or any other property.
- Loss of programs, configurations, or data stored on the device.
- Bluetooth connection failures, latency, dropouts, interference, or commands that are delayed or not delivered.
- Failures of the robot’s firmware, hardware, sensors, motors, or power supply.
- Interruptions, software errors, or incompatibilities with specific devices or Android versions.
The App is provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE”, without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Developer’s total liability to the User for any claim arising from the use of the App is limited to the amount actually paid by the User for the App (which, being free in its current version, is zero).

7. Indemnification

The User agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Developer, collaborators, partners, affiliates, legal representatives, and anyone associated with the project, from and against any claims, demands, legal actions, complaints, administrative sanctions, fines, costs, professional fees (including attorney’s fees), or damages of any nature arising from:

a) Misuse, unlawful, or unauthorized use of the App by the User.
b) Violation of these Terms.
c) Injury or damage caused by a robot operated using the App.
d) Violation of third-party rights.
e) Breach of any applicable law, regulation, or rule.

This indemnification obligation survives the uninstallation of the App or the termination of these Terms.

8. System Permissions

To function, the App requires the following Android operating system permissions, which are granted voluntarily and consciously by the User:

Bluetooth scan (BLUETOOTH_SCAN, Android 12+): to discover nearby robots. Declared neverForLocation.
Bluetooth connect (BLUETOOTH_CONNECT, Android 12+): to open the connection to the selected robot.
Legacy Bluetooth (BLUETOOTH, BLUETOOTH_ADMIN, Android 8–11): equivalents of the above on older systems.
Precise location (ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, Android 8–11 only): required by those Android versions to discover unpaired Bluetooth devices. The App never reads or uses your location.

The App does not request internet access. The User may revoke these permissions at any time from device settings, which may partially or fully affect the App’s functionality.

9. Privacy

The App does not collect, store, or transmit personal data. See the Privacy Policy for full details.

10. Intellectual Property

The software, source code, design, brand, logos, and visual identity of PAWS are the exclusive property of the Developer and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. The User receives only a personal, non-transferable, non-exclusive, and revocable license to use the App in accordance with these Terms.

Block programs created by the User are the User’s sole property and responsibility.

11. Modifications to the Terms

The Developer may modify these Terms of Service at any time. Modifications will be communicated through an App update or publication at the official URL. Continued use of the App after a modification constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms of Service.

12. Suspension and Termination

The Developer reserves the right to discontinue the App, in whole or in part, at any time and without prior notice. Termination does not affect the User’s obligations arising from prior use, especially the indemnification obligations (Section 7).

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Peru. Any dispute arising from the interpretation, application, or enforcement of these Terms of Service shall be submitted to the competent courts of the city of Arequipa, Peru, with both parties waiving any other jurisdiction that may apply to them.

The foregoing is without prejudice to the mandatory consumer protection rules that may apply to the User in their country of residence.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is declared null, invalid, or unenforceable by a competent authority, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.

15. Contact

For questions, concerns, or to report violations of these Terms, contact us at:

PAWS Email: [email protected]

FINAL USER DECLARATION

BY INSTALLING AND USING PAWS, THE USER DECLARES UNDER THEIR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY:

Having read these Terms in their entirety.
Understanding that the App controls physical hardware capable of causing injury or damage.
Committing to supervise operation, especially when the operator is a minor.
Committing to use the App exclusively for lawful purposes and on hardware they are authorized to operate.
Holding the Developer harmless from any claim arising from their use.

Failure to comply with any of these declarations is the User’s sole responsibility.

PAWS Terms of Service