In preparation for the upcoming release of the Star Wars: Episode VII, Disney has deemed today Force Friday and unveiled a series of toys and other items related to the film. Part of this event introduced us to Sphero’s latest robotic creation, Star Wars droid BB-8.
BB-8 is the cousin robot to Sphero’s flagship product of the same name and the more rugged app-enabled robot, Ollie. The adorable robot taking the world by storm is actually the third robot to come from the Sphero workshop. Like the robots that came before him, BB-8 is a high-tech robot designed to teach children about programming and the world of robotics.
What’s behind the droid? App-enabled Programming
For the most part, BB-8 has similar functionality as Sphero with the exception of some amazing features such as hologram creation, adaptive personality and more. The secret behind these interactive robots is their app-enabled programming. If you have a mobile device, you can program these guys to do whatever you want. Let’s take a look and see how BB-8 compares to his fellow robots!
BB-8 | Sphero | Ollie | |
Specialty | Adaptive personality, hologram technology, autonomous drive | Play, Learn, Explore | Speed, Tricks, Customization |
Power | 1 hr. drive time | 1 hr. drive time | 1 hr. drive time |
Apps | 1 App | 30 Apps – Driving, Multiplayer + More | 4 Apps – Driving, programming |
Drive | Over 4.5 MPH (2M/S) | Over 4.5 MPH (2M/S) | Over 14 MPH (6M/S) |
Connection | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth LE |
Devices | iOS, Android, and Windows compatible | iOS, Android, and Windows compatible | iOS, Android, and Windows compatible |
Protection | Waterproof and Pet-proof | Outruns Pets and Hates Water |
There’s no rule that states learning cannot be fun, and with Sphero’s app-enabled robots, students young and old can enjoy the world of technology and programming. STEM solutions that are this engaging and classroom friendly can be hard to come by, so whether you’re an educator looking to liven up your curriculum or a parent interested in purchasing educational toys that keep your child interacting – Sphero is the choice for you.
Keep your eyes open for more news on BB-8’s adventures in the upcoming Star Wars film! We’re hoping to have this item in stock for classrooms and playrooms around the galaxy.
More Robotic Solutions at Studica
Robotic solutions in the classroom are incredibly successful because of their inherent foundation in STEM principles and their ability to capture the interest and attention of young students. Explore some of the solutions we have available today!
- Wonder Workshop
Comparable to the Sphero platform, Wonder Workshop offers students access to a fun, interactive robotic platform that helps them understand basic robotic engineering and programming. Young students (ages 5+) will have fun with Dash & Dot as they enjoy discovering basic coding practices. - FUZE
Students will experience a more advanced introduction to coding and robotics with FUZE’s Raspberry Pi powered coding system. This solution focuses less on the “play” aspects of robotics and teaches students to create their own programs from scratch. - fischertechnik Education
fischertechnik Education has several robotic solutions, including Mini Bots, Robotics LT Beginner, Robotics TXT Advanced and so much more. These products offer students experiences in various kinds of robotics, while offering them a lasting interest and foundation in STEM concepts.
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