Programmable Sphero Sphero BOLT Robot Has Led Matrix

For those who love tinkering with robots, there is good news. Toy robot manufacturer Sphero has released a programmable robot with an LED matrix. The Sphero BOLT also has infrared communication, allowing it to ‘talk’ to other BOLTs.

The ‘remote control’ for the robot is an app called Sphero Edu. This was developed by the manufacturer itself and uses graphical programming where you can stack the instructions to the robot. This way you not only check how the robot moves and where it goes, but also how the BOLT reacts to data that comes in via the sensors. The app is primarily intended as a learning tool. It has several instructions and offers opportunities for self-study.

By adding an 8×8 LED matrix, you can see what the robot is trying to communicate. For example, the screen flashes a lightning bolt when the BOLT needs to be charged. Sphero Edu can also be used to set up your own messages and symbols. The BOLT charges via a micro USB.

Graphical programming Sphero Edu

The most special feature is infrared communication. This makes communication with other BOLTs possible and can even make the robots move in a group or avoid each other. You may have to save up for a herd of robots. Each BOLT costs one hundred and fifty dollars.

Sphero is known for its replica of BB-8 from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The replica was a huge hit. More robots for his Star Wars line followed, and even Lightning McQueen robots, but they weren’t quite as successful. According to TechCrunch, they had to lay off 45 employees after Sphero’s sales were disappointing. The manufacturer then started to focus more on educational products.