Sphero has announced a new kid-friendly programmable robot, the Sphero SPRK+.
The maker of the ace BB-8 remote-control robot has announced the upgraded Sphero SPRK+. It’s a cute spherical robot that’s been designed to teach students how to code in a playful, colourful, and tactile way.
A new feature of the SPRK+ since last year’s Sphero SPRK is the ability to pair the robot with a smartphone simply by tapping them together. The new robot is also more rugged, thanks to a scratch-resistant and waterproof shell.
The Sphero SPRK+ features inductive charging (with a 60-minute battery life), programmable sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, and LED lights.
Perhaps the most exciting feature of Sphero’s SPRK range is the accompanying Lightning Lab app. Through this, users can create, share, and collaborate with others around the world on a variety of robotics projects.
“SPRK+ and Lightning Lab teach students valuable skills for the future under the disguise of play,” said David Millage, General Manager of Education at Sphero. “Our robots are being used to teach everything from art to physics in a fun and hands-on way that engage students on a new level.”
Related: Sphero BB-8 review
The Sphero SPRK+ is now available to buy for $129, which works out to roughly £87 – though it’ll inevitably cost more than that over here in the UK. You can find a list of retail partners for your area here.
The Lightning Lab app, meanwhile, is available as a free download for iOS devices, Android phones and tablets, and Amazon Fire devices.
What would you do with your own programmable robot? Let us know in the comments below.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.