Sphero Products
General
Vulnerability Disclosure Program
Enabling Location Permissions on Android
User Manuals
Sphero's Unsolicited Ideas Policy
Airplane Travel with Sphero
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 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 EDU 16 Pack FAQ
Sphero RVR
Sphero RVR Warnings
Drawing power for the USB and UART ports
Missing UART Cable
Lost Charging Cable?
RVR Battery FAQ
Getting Started with RVR
Lost Battery Key?
Cleaning RVR's Wheels
Ollie
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
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 Edu
Computer Science Foundations
Using Computer Science Foundations
Purchasing Computer Science Foundations
Accessing Computer Science Foundations
Is SPRK+ Compatible with CS Foundations?
Sphero Edu: Important Notifications
Changing support for iOS 9 in the Fall of 2020
Update: Sphero Compatibility with Chrome OS
Sphero Q&A: Chrome OS Update
Important RVR Firmware Update
Which Robot is Best for my Needs?
Sphero EDU Device Compatibility
Sphero Edu Class Codes
Account Setup
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
Downloading Sphero Edu on Microsoft Devices
Connection Troubleshooting
Sphero Edu + Clever
Difficulties with Google Sign In
Locating Missing Programs
Sphero Edu app (Windows vs. Chrome)
Getting Started with Sphero Edu
Classroom Management Tools
Sphero Edu + Google Classrooms
Sphero Edu Webinars
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
Desktoy Mode
Privacy + Security
Face Drive not Available
Licensed Products
R2-D2
Purchasing R2-D2
R2-D2 Bluetooth Range
Is R2-D2 Waterproof?
Driving R2-D2
R2-D2 Play Modes
Resetting R2-D2
Putting R2-D2 into Deep Sleep
Power Requirements for Charging R2-D2
Is R2-D2 Compatible with Force Band?
Troubleshooting R2-D2 Connection Issues
R2-D2 Patrol Mode
R2-D2 Battery Life
R2-D2 Draw and Drive Mode
Connecting R2-D2 to a Device
Charging R2-D2
Ultimate Lightning McQueen
Lightning McQueen's Suspension Stuck
Lightning McQueen Care
Lightning McQueen not Driving
Lightning McQueen not Connecting to Device
Is Lightning McQueen Waterproof?
Charging Lightning McQueen
Lightning McQueen Stuck Updating
Connecting to Lightning McQueen
Ultimate Lightning McQueen Device Compatibility
Lightning McQueen Muted
Unboxing and Setting up Lightning McQueen
Lightning McQueen Play Modes
BB-9E
Driving BB-9E
Cleaning BB-9E
Changing BB-9E's Speed
Connecting to BB-9E
BB-9E's Battery Life
Is BB-9E Waterproof?
BB-9E not Driving in Correct Direction
What do BB-9E's Lights Mean?
BB-9E's Head not Lighting Up
Charging BB-9E
Putting BB-9E in Deep Sleep
Power Required to Charge BB-9E
Is BB-9E Compatible with Force Band?
Differences between BB-9E and BB-8
Waking BB-9E from Deep Sleep
BB-9E Play Modes
Force Band
Not all Holocrons Showing in the Armory
Force Band Keeps Reverting to the Blaster
Putting Force Band into Sleep Mode
Updating Force Band out of the Box
Force Awareness
What do the Different Force Band Lights Mean?
Combat Training
Force Band Button Menu
Wrong Force Band Connected to App
Force Band FAQ
Troubleshooting Force Band Connection Issues
Force Band Training Series
Updating Force Band Firmware
Only Getting Han's Blaster when Collecting Holocrons
Nothing Happening when Pressing Force Band Button
Droid Control
Wearing Force Band
Charging Force Band
Star Wars Droids App by Sphero
Watch With Me Mode (Star Wars)
Using Droid Interactions
Droids App Crashes during Watch with Me
Driving Droids with the Droids App
Patrol Mode
Droid not Connecting to Droids App
Connecting a Droid to Droids App
Star Wars Droids App Device Compatibility
AR Mode
Droid Interactions in the Droids App
Missing Features in Android App
Spider-Man
Spider-Man's Battery Life
What do Spider-Man's Lights Mean?
Unboxing and Setting up Spider-Man
Spider-Man Wakes up Without being Prompted
Spider-Man not Connecting to WiFi
Does Spider-Man Move?
Is Spider-Man Waterproof?
Spider-Man Security
Difficulties Downloading Spider-Man App
Does Spider-Man work with other Sphero Apps?
Resetting Spider-Man
Setting an Alarm on Spider-Man
How to Put Spider-Man in Deep Sleep + Wake Him Up
Spider-Man not Responding or Understanding
Changing Spider-Man's Volume
Enabling Guard Mode
Spider-Man Voice Commands
Charging Spider-Man
Spider Man has Wrong Date or Time
Spider-Man doesn't Understand Child's Voice
Using Spider-Man without WiFi
Troubleshooting Spider-Man Connection Issues
Connecting to Spider-Man
Spider-Man Languages
Spider-Man Play Modes
Cleaning Spider-Man
Spider-Man Privacy Information
Recommended Age for Spider-Man
Spider-Man Device Compatibility
Watch With Me Mode (Spider-Man)
Powering Spider-Man On and Off
Connecting Spider-Man to a Device
BB-8
Resetting BB-8
BB-8's Lights Flashing
Using BB-8 Voice Commands
Recording a Hologram
BB-8's Battery
Waking BB-8 from Deep Sleep
BB-8's Bluetooth Range
Is BB-8 Waterproof?
Driving BB-8
Cleaning BB-8
Lost or Damaged BB-8 Head
BB-8 Voice Commands
Putting BB-8 in Deep Sleep
BB-8™ Tech Specs
BB-8 Charger Animations
Difference Between Battle-Worn and Original BB-8
Charging BB-8
BB-8 Training Video
Getting Started with BB-8
BB-8 Not Charging
How do I use the Draw and Drive feature for BB-8?
Android Error Message 907 Or 963
littleBits Products
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?
Education Starter Kit
micro:bit Adapter
Pro Library
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?
Available Lessons and Curriculum
Leaning to Use the STEAM Student Set
General littleBits Questions
Disinfect littleBits with UV Light
littleBits Troubleshooting
Taking Care of Bits in the Classroom
Lessons and Curriculum for Educators
Droid Inventor Kit
Droid Troubleshooting
Droid Inventor App not Connecting to Control Hub
Droid Servo Alignment Off Center
Trouble Recording Secret Message
Part of Droid is Broken
Missing or Lost Part
Bluetooth Troubleshooting
Droid Inventors App Device Compatibility
Connecting Droid Inventor App to Control Hub
Droid Plastic Replacement Parts - 3D Files
Droid Inventor Kit Instructions
Other littleBits
littleBits Inventor Kits
Instructions for the Base Inventor, Electronic Music Inventor, and Space Rover Inventor Kits
littleBits Needed for the "Inventing with littleBits" JAM Course (now DIY.org)?
Avengers Hero Inventor Kit
Smart Device Needed for the Avengers Hero Inventor Kit
Hero Inventor Kit Troubleshooting
Avengers Hero Inventor Kit Instructions
Purchasing the Avengers Hero Inventor Kit
littleBits Code Kit
Code was Uploaded, but Circuit doesn't Show Expected Output
What standards can I Meet with the Code Kit?
Is my Code Kit Circuit Set Up Correctly?
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?
Gizmos & Gadgets Kit 2nd Edition
General FAQ
littleBits FAQ
How do littleBits Work?
What can you Create with littleBits?
How do you Use littleBits?
What are littleBits?
Sphero FAQ
How do Sphero Robots Work?
Do Sphero Robots include a Camera?
What is Sphero?
Coding Languages and your Sphero App-Enabled Robot
What Ages are Sphero Robots for?
Battery FAQ
Sphero + littleBits Self-Service Resources
Can you Code with Sphero Robots?
What Coding Language do Sphero Robots Use?
What Games can I Play with Sphero?
What's Inside of a Sphero Robot?
What can Sphero Robots Do?
How do you Program Sphero Robots?
What are Sphero Programmable Robots?
Can the Batteries be Replaced?
Warranties + Returns
Warranty Information
Return Policy
Can you Refund the Tax on My Order?
I Need to Cancel my Order
I Need to Change my Shipping Address
SpheroCare - Protecting your Robots + Bits
There is Something Wrong with my Order
Orders + Shipping
Placing a Tax Exempt Order
How do I use a Purchase Order?
Request a Quote
When will my Order Arrive?
Sphero W-9 and Sole Source Letter
How are your Products Shipped?
What Payment Methods do you Accept?
Creating an Online Account
Become a Reseller of Sphero or littleBits Products
Grant Funding Resources
New Jersey Business Certificate
Lost Package
International Shipping
Declarations of Conformity
Holiday Shipping Cutoffs
US Military Addresses (APO/FPO)
- 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.