Sphero Products
General
Vulnerability Disclosure Program
Enabling Location Permissions on Android
Sphero's Unsolicited Ideas Policy
Airplane Travel with Sphero
Replacement Charging Cables
Battery FAQ
Can the Batteries be Replaced?
Sphero Mini
Where Did the Sphero Mini App Go?
Sphero Mini Disconnects when Plugged In
Sphero Mini FAQ
Getting Started with Sphero Mini
Sphero Mini's Lights
Sphero Mini Connection Troubleshooting
Sphero Mini Soccer FAQ
Sphero Mini Activity Kit FAQ
Sphero Mini EDU 16 Pack FAQ
Is Sphero Mini Kit compatible with other Robots?
Sphero BOLT
BOLT Power Pack
BOLT Features
BOLT Power Pack Tips
Charging and Setting Up BOLT
Connecting BOLT
BOLT Modes
Charging Cradle Compatibility
Condensation Inside Sphero BOLT
Prolonging BOLT Battery Life (Deep Sleep)
BOLT at Home Guide
Sphero RVR and RVR+
Sphero RVR and RVR+ Warnings
Drawing power for the USB and UART ports
Missing UART Cable
Lost Charging Cable?
RVR and RVR+ Long Term Storage
Sphero RVR and RVR+ Battery FAQ
Getting Started with RVR and RVR+
What's new with RVR+?
Lost Battery Key?
Cleaning RVR/RVR+ Wheels
Ollie + Ollie Darkside
Ollie FAQ
Ollie Dies Quickly After a Full Charge
Ollie and Darkside Security
Waking Ollie
Ollie Device Compatibility
Specdrums
Specdrums MIX Device Compatibility
Specdrums Edu Device Compatibility
Windows and MacOS MIDI
Number of Rings that can Connect to App
Number of Colors Specdrums can Play
Specdrums MIX Tutorial: Getting Started
Are Specdrums Waterproof?
Specdrums Battery Life
Specdrums MIX Tutorial: Customizing Packs
What Colors can Specdrums Play?
Specdrums MIX Tutorial: Recording and Sharing a Song
What objects can be played with Specdrums?
Specdrums EDU 12 Pack FAQ
Specdrums Edu App not Making Noise
Replacement Ring FAQ
Spedrums MIX "Share" Feature not Available
Sphero 1.0 + 2.0
Cleaning Sphero
Pairing Sphero with a Device
Charging Sphero
Sphero Quick Start Guide
Sphero Light not Working
Sphero's Bluetooth Range
Sphero Volts/Hz
Sphero Firmware Updates
Is Sphero Waterproof?
Sphero not Holding a Charge
Unable to Update Firmware
Sphero isn't Charging
What is Boost Mode?
Resetting Sphero
Connecting Sphero to Device
Sphero not Following Driving Instructions
Sphero is Glowing Blue + White - Not Connecting
Red Flash
Sphero Accessories
Sphero SPRK Edition
Sphero SPRK+
SPRK+ Power Pack
Power Pack charging base stopped working
Can I charge other Sphero robots in the Power Pack?
Power Pack dimensions and specifications
Power Pack modes and light indicator
One of the SPRK+ robots in my Power Pack won't connect.
How can I purchase a Power Pack?
Using the SPRK+ Power Pack
SPRK+ Power Pack General Information
Using the Protractor + Maze Tape
What's the difference between SPRK+ and SPRK Edition?
SPRK+ not Holding a Charge
SPRK+ Charging Solutions
SPRK+ not Connecting
Condensation Inside Sphero SPRK+
Charging SPRK+
Getting SPRK+ in my Classroom
Prolonging SPRK+ Battery Life (Deep Sleep)
SPRK+ Modes
Connecting SPRK+ to a Device
BOLT Upgrade Program
Code Mat
Activity Cards Available Languages
Code Mat Dimensions
Code Mat Compatible Robots
Code Mat App Compatibility
Activity Card Information
How many Students can use the Code Mat?
Can I Buy Additional Activity Cards?
Sphero Sports
Sphero indi™
What do the lights on the indi™ robot mean?
Do I need an app to use indi™?
Adjusting the Speaker Volume of indi™
Resetting your Sphero indi™
indi™ Battery + Charging FAQ
indi™ Color Cards + Durable Tiles
Sphero Blueprint
littleBits Products
STEAM+ Kit / STEAM+ Coding Kit
What apps and devices are needed for the STEAM+ Coding Kit?
STEAM+ Coding Kit Invention Guide and Resources
What standards can I meet with the STEAM+ Coding Kit?
STEAM Student Set
How Many Students can use the STEAM Student Set?
I've Finished all the Projects. What's Next?
What Standards can I Meet with the STEAM Student Set?
Cross Axle vs D-Shaft DC Motor | Cross Axle vs Hub Mount Servos
Available Lessons and Curriculum
Learning to Use the STEAM Student Set
littleBits Code Kit
What standards can I Meet with the Code Kit?
o28 LED Matrix vs o29 Round LED Matrix
Is Prior Experience Needed for the Code Kit?
Will this Work with the Bits I Already Have?
Code Kit Device Compatibility
Debugging littleBits Code
Code Kit Debugging Checklist
Difficulty Connecting codeBit to Computer
I'm not a Teacher - Can I Buy This?
What Kind of Code Does this Teach?
Hall of Fame Kits
Hall of Fame Kit Instructions
Are the Templates in the Bubble Bot Waterproof?
Empty Compartment upon Opening
Sound Trigger not Holding a Sound for 3 Seconds
Can I Combine Kits to Make Extra Inventions?
Pro Library / Makerspace Invention Wall
Makerspace Invention Wall / Pro Library Storage options
Wall Storage Mounting Instructions
2018 Pro Library Updates
Education Starter Kit
micro:bit Adapter
codeBit
General littleBits Questions
Disinfect littleBits with UV Light
littleBits Troubleshooting
Taking Care of Bits in the Classroom
littleBits Classroom - Lessons and Curriculum for Educators
Other littleBits
littleBits Inventor Kits
Gizmos & Gadgets Kit 2nd Edition
User Manuals
User Manuals - English
User Manuals - Italian
User Manuals - Spanish
User Manuals - Portuguese
User Manuals - German
User Manuals - French
Sphero + littleBits Apps
Sphero Edu
Computer Science Foundations
Using Computer Science Foundations
Purchasing Computer Science Foundations
Accessing Computer Science Foundations
Which Robots work with CS Foundations?
Sphero Edu: Important Notifications
Changing Support for iOS 10 and 11 with Sphero Edu 6.3.0
Changing support for iOS 9 in the Fall of 2020
Update: Sphero Compatibility with Chrome OS
Sphero Q&A: Chrome OS Update
Sphero Virtual Robot Beta
Robot Keeps Disconnecting (iOS)
Important RVR Firmware Update - August 31, 2020
Changing support for Android 5, 6, and 7 in February, 2022
Major Sphero Edu Windows App Update
Changes to Community Programs in May 2022
iOS Sphero Edu Video Playback Issues
Major Sphero Edu macOS App Update
Sphero Edu and Location Services for Android and Chromebooks
Sphero Edu Platform Scheduled Maintenance: July 8th, 2023
Google Sign-In Changes for the macOS and Windows Versions of Sphero Edu (Legacy Issue)
Important RVR/RVR+ Firmware Update - October 2022
Which Robot is Best for my Needs?
Sphero EDU Device Compatibility
Sphero Edu Class Codes
Account Setup with Sphero Edu
Verifying your Child's Sphero Edu Account
Verify Teacher Identity
Changing my Child's Password
Programming with Sphero Edu
In The Classroom
Change My Language
Privacy and Security
Sphero Edu QR Codes
Connection Troubleshooting
Sphero Edu + Clever
Locating Missing Programs
Sphero Edu Android App on Chromebooks
Sphero Edu Account Deletion
Sphero Edu JavaScript Wiki
Sphero Edu app (Windows vs. Chrome)
Getting Started with Sphero Edu
Classroom Management Tools
Publishing Sphero Edu Activities
Sphero Edu + Google Classrooms
Sphero Edu Activity Codes
Sphero Edu Webinars
What Sounds Can I Make With Sphero EDU?
Archiving Sphero Edu Classes
-999 Error Code
Sphero Edu IT Guide for Schools
Changing Text-To-Speech Settings for The "Speak" Block
Sphero Play
Downloading the Sphero Play App
Using Scream Drive
Sphero Play Device Compatibility
Programming with Sphero Play
Choosing Language Preference
Downloading Sphero Play
Unable to Access Golf Drive
Privacy + Security
Face Drive not Available
Edu Jr
littleBits Apps
- All Categories
- Sphero Products
- Sphero BOLT
- BOLT Features
BOLT Features
Sphero BOLT has all of the features that previous Sphero models (Sphero 2.0, SPRK, SPRK+) have and more. It's super durable, programmable, drive-able, and extensible. It has 2 drive motors, lights, and several sensors including a gyroscope, accelerometer, and motor encoders. BOLT also has a ton of new features that go beyond previous models, including:
Battery: BOLT has a much larger battery than previous Sphero models to accommodate all day use in schools, and your most ambitious projects at home. BOLTs battery will last at-least 2 hours (and sometimes up to 5 hours if not driving the entire time), compared to about 1 hour of play time on previous models. Due to the larger size, it takes 6 hours to charge a fully depleted BOLT, whereas it takes 3 hours to charge most other Sphero robots.
Lights: Sphero BOLT has an 8x8 LED matrix that can display any color, animation, scrolling text, or real-time data you tell it to! These capabilities are exposed in the Sphero Edu app, and you have full control over customizing them. The matrix is handy for creating characters and stories, displaying exciting data like dynamic variable values or abstracted sensor data, or merely scrolling some stilly text like a scrolling marquee. You learn more about how to use the matrix in the Activities section of Sphero Edu. BOLT also add an front RGB LED, and a back RGB LED (all previous models had a blue-only back LED).
Sensors: many sensors that you can program interesting logic around in the Sphero Edu app. BOLT and all previous versions of Sphero have aBOLT is unique with its light sensor, compass, and infrared sensors, which all add completely new ways to interact with Sphero! You learn more about how to use the new sensors in the Activities section of Sphero Edu
- Light Sensor: The light sensor reads the light intensity (luminosity) in your environment from 0 - 100,000 lux, where 0 lux is full darkness and 30,000-100,000 lux is direct sunlight. Keep in mind that if you are running a program with a luminosity condition, you may need to adjust it for different environments, as light intensity can vary significantly between rooms.
- Infrared (IR) Sensors: Infrared (IR) is invisible light with longer wavelengths than visible light, and it is commonly used in TV remote controls to transmit small amounts of data. IR is used in Sphero BOLT to send data such as relative distance and heading between robots, and custom messages. There are four IR emitters and receivers (pairs) for 360° awareness assuming there is a clear line of sight between two or more BOLT robots. The valid range is up to about 4 meters.
- Compass: The compass sensor (it's really a "magnetometer") allows BOLT to know it's orientation on earth, just like a normal compass. This sensor can be used to write a program that moves in real-world directions around a room, or even in relative directions if placed on a map oriented correctly. The compass also enables "Auto-Aiming" on BOLT, where the robot syncs it's offset from North with the compass inside your phone or tablet, so you don't need to aim manually. You can find the Auto-Aim feature on the drive screen of the Sphero Edu app.
Auto-Aiming: All Sphero robotic balls need to be "aimed" and oriented relative to your position, so that forward for the robot and user are the same direction. On previous Sphero models, the user needed to aim Sphero using the blue tail light manually. We know that can be confusing, so we added a compass (magnetometer) sensor inside Sphero BOLT to power this new Auto-Aim feature, and we think it's really magical. On the Drive screen in the Sphero Edu app, notice the new compass-like icon in the bottom right. Tap the button, then tap Auto-Aim, and your robot will quickly sync to the same direction that you are facing!
- How does it work? The new compass sensor in BOLT enables to know it's orientation on earth using magnetism, just like a standard compass. When you connect BOLT to a smartphone or tablet that also has a compass sensor, we can match BOLT's offset from North with your devices offset from North, and therefore, we "automatically" aim you without the need for the manual aiming process. Don't worry, if you like the old way, you can still manually aiming with BOLT.
- Tell me more! Ok, since you asked. The compass sensor can also be used to write a program that moves in real-world directions! Imagine all the possibilities now that your robot can reenact famous expeditions from world travelers on a large world map, or use BOLT as a real compass for orienteering, or for fun storytelling using actual directions on a small scale version of your hometown. The possibilities are endless and incredible.
- Does it work perfectly? No. BOLTs compass has the same limitations as a standard compass. All compass readings degrade when near metallic and magnetic objects that interfere with earth's natural magnetic field. Here are some tips to get Auto-Aiming working great:
- Move away from large metal, magnetic, and electronic objects. Even steel beams below you in the floor or the metal pipes on a desk can significantly affect the reading
- If you have accuracy issues with Auto-Aiming, instead of placing it on the ground try holding BOLT in your hand, then hit the Auto-Aim button
- Auto-Aiming is compatible with most iOS and Android mobile devices, but not with computer/laptop devices, as it requires a magnetometer in your connected device, and most laptops do not have a magnetometer.