Force Friday Introduces Sphero’s Star Wars Droid BB-8

kristielCoding & Programming, New Releases, Robotics

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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
SpheroOllie
SpecialtyAdaptive personality, hologram technology, autonomous drivePlay, Learn, ExploreSpeed, Tricks, Customization
Power1 hr. drive time1 hr. drive time1 hr. drive time
Apps1 App30 Apps – Driving, Multiplayer + More4 Apps – Driving, programming
DriveOver 4.5 MPH (2M/S)Over 4.5 MPH (2M/S)Over 14 MPH (6M/S)
ConnectionBluetooth LEBluetooth LEBluetooth LE
DevicesiOS, Android, and Windows compatibleiOS, Android, and Windows compatibleiOS, Android, and Windows compatible
ProtectionWaterproof and Pet-proofOutruns 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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