Sphero bolt robot is the perfect choice to teach your kids coding and programming using a simple and fun learning tool. This is why Sphero is today the #1 robot in schools, and more than 40,000 educators from 80 countries in the world testify it.
If you were looking for that special gift to help your kids learn more and develop STEM skills, this is the page you want to read.
Contents
Technical Specifications
- The material is durable waterproof UV-coated clear and scratch resistant plastic sealed shell.
- Bluetooth Smart connection (100 foot range).
- Top speed is 2 m/s (4.5 mph).
- Motor encoders, gyroscope, accelerometer, 8X8 LED matrix, light sensor, infrared sensor, and compass.
- Inductive charging (6 hour charge for 4+ hours of play).
- Height: 73mm / Width: 73mm / Weight: 200g. It is about as big as a baseball.
- Compatible with Sphero Edu app for iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows & Chrome.
- Compatible with Sphero Play app for iOS & Android.
- Compatible with Swift Playgrounds for iOS.
- MORE THAN JUST A ROBOT: Sphero BOLT is a programmable robot ball that you can drive and code, providing endless opportunities to be creative and have fun while learning. Advanced yet approachable, you...
- ADVANCED SENSORS & LED MATRIX: Packed with plenty of programmable sensors including a compass, light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, motor encoders, and infrared communications, along with an...
Sphero Bolt is more than just a robot
Sphero Bolt is a programmable robot that you can use to learn and have fun at the same time.
Among the things that make Sphero Bolt unique is that it is an advanced robot packaged in a simple and approachable concept.
Sphero Bolt is very inviting and intuitive to use. From the very first time kids see it, they love it, so it is not intimidating at all.
Yet packaged inside the simplicity of its shape there is a programmable robot that can be driven and coded using a user-friendly interface that kids will love.
The Sphero Bolt robot features a transparent and sealed plastic shell that allows you to see part of its inner workings. Inside the package you have several sensors, motors and electronics that give life to Sphero and its magic.
This Bolt robot version of Sphero is the first one to feature an LED matrix (we’ll talk about it later) which serves for both playing games and communicating with your robot.
The programming of this ball robot can be done using Draw, Blocks and JavaScript. Sphero Bolt will take your kid one step at a time to learn from the very basics to develop most advanced programming skills.
With Sphero there is no assembly needed as it is a built to learn and play gadget. Simply start interacting with your Sphero and you’ll see how fun it is to play and learn with this robotic ball.
Sphero is more than just a robot because Sphero means being part of an international community that is there to support and inspire the creators of tomorrow. Sphero touches on STEAM, music and arts topics thanks to its innovative design and capabilities.
Bolt Sphero features advanced sensors & LED matrix
The success of Sphero is driven by its simplicity. Yet inside this simple concept of a robotic ball, there are packaged a lot of sensors and actuators to help Sphero rock.
The importance of these sensors is that each one serves a purpose, so for instance when your kid hears the word Gyroscope, it may or may not mean something. But if she or he has to write code to program it and see some results based on this code, the whole scenario is pretty different.
Sphero has a compass, light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, motor encoders, and infrared communications. And all of these are accessible through code your kid can create to make Sphero Bolt behave in different ways.
If you are wondering what a motor encoder is or what it is for, I bet the experience of programming it and seeing how it impacts the behavior of a robot ball like Sphero is more educational than reading about it, seeing videos online, and even talking to an expert about it.
This is the treasure behind having a robot to program it and see how the code works.
Another fantastic feature that is exclusive to the Bolt version is the 8×8 LED matrix. This colorful and interactive matrix serves various purposes. You can either program it to display characters, vector graphics, sensor data or play games on the matrix itself.
Most new generation robots are adding ways to communicate with users, and this is to enhance the user experience and debug programs in a much easier way.
The Sphero Bolt LED matrix is just that, and a great addition to help users interact better with the robot and overall have a better user experience.
Robot Bolt is built to learn and play
A ball is a straight forward call to have fun. We use spherical balls in most sports, and this is part of the genius behind the idea of having a robot built using a simple spherical shape.
But for Sphero to be as fun as any sports ball it features a durable and scratch-proof, sealed plastic shell. By the way, Sphero Bolt coding robot is water resistant so you can also make it swim and race in the pool.
The fun starts from the moment you open the box and look at all the amazing components the transparent plastic shell allows you to see, and once your kid starts creating programs and playing around with Sphero the learning and play experience will be at its peak.
Sphero Bolt can run continuously or a bit over 4 hours with a fully charged battery. The charging is inductive and all you need to do is put it on its base and that is all. The battery will take up to 6 hours to fully charge.
Sphero is inspiring creators of tomorrow
It is remarkable how something so simple as a robotic ball can touch the lives of kids in such impactful ways.
Sphero Bolt will teach your kid the basics of programming and provide a hands on training on the main components robots use these days.
Every modern robot uses motors, encoders, gyroscopes, accelerometers, light sensors, and much more, and this is why Sphero Bolt can give your kid the skills and abilities to shine in today’s world.
Coding is a very important skill. Some people think coding is just about writing boring lines with commands to make robots move and do things. But what most people fail to see is that to write these commands, one needs to know what you want the robot to do.
And so, something as simple as moving in a square-shape pattern becomes a challenge when you start thinking about the logic and sequence of steps the robot needs to follow.
This sequence of steps is called algorithm, and it is a fundamental skill in order to be a successful programmer or software engineer.
Once you figure those steps you can put them into code and make the robot follow them. Yet this is simpler said than done.
For instance, let’s go back to that square-shape pattern. If you were to give a robot directions to accomplish this task, what would you do?
Remember the robot does not think, as it is a machine, so you have to give it pretty clear instructions. You could not say: move in a square-shaped pattern, because the robot does not know what is a square.
So you need to break this challenge into mini steps to make sure the robot completes the task.
While we won’t solve this here (but you could if you got a Sphero), I think the point was illustrated. This is how STEAM related topics are touched when your kid starts to play with robots and create code to program them.
Sphero Bolt review and best offer
The best place to get your Sphero Bolt is Amazon. Not only they offer free returns and super fast delivery time, but you also get Amazon’s superb customer service as well as the opportunity to learn from current owners what has been their experience.
The Sphero Bolt reviews and comments are hundreds and people are also answering questions. You can ensure you have all the information you need before making a call.
- MORE THAN JUST A ROBOT: Sphero BOLT is a programmable robot ball that you can drive and code, providing endless opportunities to be creative and have fun while learning. Advanced yet approachable, you...
- ADVANCED SENSORS & LED MATRIX: Packed with plenty of programmable sensors including a compass, light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, motor encoders, and infrared communications, along with an...
Advantages of the Sphero Bolt robotic ball compared to others
No assembly needed: Sphero Bolt is so simple to use that kids will have fun with it right out of the box. There is no assembly needed to use the Sphero Bolt robot and kids will start learning the moment they get it.
Simple and fun concept: Simplicity is a complex thing. Yet Sphero achieves this with no problem. Millions of people around the world are thrilled about how amazing much fun and learning can come from a robotic sphere.
Several ways to build code: With Sphero Bolt you can draw paths to build code, create complex programs using block based programming language, and learn to program robots using JavaScript.
Intuitive and inviting design: The concept of a sphere is well associated in our brains with playing games and sports. Sphero Bolt is a robotic ball that from the very first time kids see it they won’t feel intimidated by the design. This is part of the genius behind Sphero.
8X8 LED Matrix: This LED matrix can display vector graphics, characters and sensor data. This last one is useful when debugging code. Your kids can also play games like tic tac toe.
Sphero Edu App: The Sphero Edu App helps connect Sphero bolt with the device you’ll use to control and program it. It will also help you connect with the support community and see other projects.
Support community: Your kid will never get out of ideas to play and create with Sphero Bolt thanks to the support community online. This is a safe environment where kids can learn from others and get help and ideas to solve challenges.
Plenty of tutorials and guides: If the support community was not enough, the internet is filled with interesting tutorials and useful guides to create more and more with Sphero Bolt.
Waterproof: Sphero Bolt features a sealed plastic shell that is waterproof, so your kid can confidently use Sphero to play water games like races. The challenge increases here because the movements of Sphero are not the same when in the water.
Platform compatible: The Sphero Edu App is compatible with iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows & Chrome.
STEAM and critical thinking skills developer: This robotic sphere will challenge kids to develop programs to complete specific actions. These actions will require your kid to think about best way to accomplish a task. This is perfect to develop critical thinking and STEAM skills.
Other Sphero models and kits
Other interesting releases from Sphero
See this robotic ball in action with this Sphero Bolt review
Here is a video where you’ll see Bolt by Sphero in action. I hope you find this video as useful and as educational as I did.
This Sphero Bolt review explains in a very interesting and entertaining way the
What you need to know before buying Sphero Bolt code robot
Just to be super clear on this, Sphero is not a robotic kit that needs assembly. Part of the fun with robots is building them, and in this case you won’t need to put anything together.
I want to mention this because some people may expect that building phase, which is always fun as well, but the Sphero Bolt is not that type robotic toy.
Other than that, Sphero Bolt is truly a great programming learning tool for young and old ones. People really enjoy this simple and educational robot.
Something else I consider important is to mention is that Sphero as a brand has many years now. This means you can count on them to solve any issues you may have with their products.
When the first Sphero model was released, it was mostly a remote control spherical gadget that needed a lot of help to operate and it was not programmable.
The Bolt model is truly a step up in the evolution of this fantastic gadget and it is nowadays a solid reference in the world of educational toys for kids.
Sphero Bolt FAQs
Sphero Bolt needs 4 hours to fully charge its battery and it will last up to 6 hours in continuous operation.
The charging method is inductive and all you have to do is place Sphero on its charging base and connect the base via the USB cable provided to a power source.
Yes. Sphero Bolt features a sealed plastic shell that makes it waterproof.
Yes. It can be programed using the Sphero Edu App, and it supports 3 different ways of programming.
1. Drawing paths.
2. Using blocks language.
3. Writing JavaScript code.
There are plenty of tutorials and guides online to help you get the most out of your Sphero Bolt
No, Sphero Bolt does not have a camera.
Not the robot itself. Yet the Sphero Edu app can.
Sphero Bolt also features an 8×8 LED matrix which among other functions has the ability to communicate to the user sensor data.
Sphero is recommended for 8+ year old kids. An adult should always be present to help with the operation. Even younger audiences could have fun and enjoy playing with Sphero.
No. Sphero connects via Bluetooth SMART to the Sphero Edu App on your computer or mobile device.
Sphero Bolt is a programmable robotic ball which can display characters, vector graphics, and even play games using its 8×8 LED matrix.
Since it is a programmable device the possibilities are endless in terms of how many uses you can give it. Here is a video review that may help get a more accurate idea of what Sphero Bolt can do and what it is for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOU-q3YHBSk&ab_channel=KhanFlicks
Final comments: Sphero Bolt robot is an amazing coding robot for kids
The Sphero Bolt is the newest version of the Sphero robotic ball. It features many sensors and an 8×8 LED matrix which helps to improve the user experience with this gadget.
Going beyond the technical details, Sphero Bolt is a fantastic learning tool to teach kids and adults how to program a robot.
Kids have fun and learn at the same time, and the possibilities with Sphero are endless. Even more, the loyal audience and community Sphero has online only helps to make it better.
Sphero Bolt is both affordable and approachable, which means you won’t break your bank account with it and your kid won’t feel intimidated to start playing and experimenting with this programming teaching tool.
Look no further than Sphero Bolt to start helping your kid learn about coding and developing STEAM skills.
- MORE THAN JUST A ROBOT: Sphero BOLT is a programmable robot ball that you can drive and code, providing endless opportunities to be creative and have fun while learning. Advanced yet approachable, you...
- ADVANCED SENSORS & LED MATRIX: Packed with plenty of programmable sensors including a compass, light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, motor encoders, and infrared communications, along with an...
