Home Comics & Toys The Sphero Bolt is the new programmable ball that teaches your kids how to code

The Sphero Bolt is the new programmable ball that teaches your kids how to code

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Sphero Bolt

We all know the robot overlords are coming and will eventually take over. What we might not realise is that they could be coming in the shape of little robotic balls. Not that kind, you perverts. Sphero has announced a new rolling ball robot called the Sphero Bolt as their next innovation of education-based products that are designed to help kids get into the tech industry.

The ball, which connects via Bluetooth or WiFi to laptop or mobile device using the company’s App, can be programmed to move in different directions and distances by the user, but also includes an 8×8 LED screen so that it can also offer up a form of communication or acknowledgement by the user if a task is completed. Or alternatively, communicate a message if needed. The device opens up quite a lot of features to the willing student though as anything from its gyroscope, accelerometer, compass and light sensor can be controlled, along with possible communication with other Bolt devices thanks to the use of four infrared sensors which can transmit messages to other devices.

It’s definitely a great concept and something which should really spark the enthusiasm and imagination of not just kids, but adults to as they teach these little balls to do a variety of things. It might be a little limited in its capabilities but is a great foundation to understanding the basics of programming and should provide kids with hours of fun while they get to learn in the process. Make that at least 2 hours of fun, because that is how long the Sphero Bolt is intended to last before needing a recharge.

The Sphero Bolt costs $150 (around) from the company’s website (around R2300), which is the small price to pay to ensure your kids become the Skynet founders of the future.

Last Updated: September 11, 2018

8 Comments

  1. Gavin Mannion

    September 11, 2018 at 14:11

    I need one of these

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      September 11, 2018 at 14:22

      damnit… don’t ship to Europe.. or Africa.. or anywhere other than Trumpistan

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        September 11, 2018 at 15:16

        All hail

        Reply

      • miaau

        September 11, 2018 at 16:52

        THe Original Sphero did eventually ship to our land of the free. I imagine, though, that it will ship to Europe, i.e. you, before we got.

        Or just use some sort of courier company.

        But yeah, I want this puppy

        Reply

        • Gavin Mannion

          September 11, 2018 at 17:12

          my kids doing ICT in school and this could make that far more entertaining… I’m moving again so when I find a new place to settle for a few months I’ll jump through the hoops to organise one I think

          Reply

        • HvR

          September 11, 2018 at 18:04

          Amarex’s Global Shopper service should be able to deliver it to you

          Reply

  2. Yondaime

    September 11, 2018 at 14:12

    If i had kids i’d probably buy them this

    Reply

  3. Ghost In The Rift

    September 11, 2018 at 14:36

    Has anybody seen my robot’s balls?…..it lost it somewhere around a Dota tournament.

    Reply

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