Orbotix Sphero

Introducing the Orbotix Sphero! Sphero is the world's first robotic ball gaming system that you control with a tilt, touch, or swing from your smartphone or tablet. Roll it, race it, or challenge yourself with Drive, Golf and more. Your experience changes with every new app. You can even use Sphero as a controller for on-screen gameplay. Single and multi-player apps let you engage in the virtual world and play in the real one. It's the ball evolved.

Using Bluetooth Technology, the Sphero is compatible with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android device and can be played as quickly as you can download a gaming app. The Robotic ball has over a 50 foot range and can reach speeds of up to 3 feet per second. It has precise control thanks to the internal guidance system including gyro and accelerometer.

100% summer compatible, from the beach to the bonfire - Sphero is ready for any adventure. Take your gaming experience outside and race it down the boardwalk, through the sand, even through water! Play handheld and multiplayer games around the campfire, compete in a game of TAG at the park, or take your Sphero for a swim in the pool.

How much tech can you pack in a 3 inch sphere? Here's the scientific bit - start with a sensor network multi-axis rate gyro and accelerometer fused together with the same kind of math that took Apollo to the Moon. Power it with lithium polymer batteries that are inductively recharged through the shell and add a Bluetooth-based command and control data link. Finally, mix in over-the-air firmware updates and internally sandboxed language extensions and you have a true robot that is an intelligent component of a smartphone app-based gaming, learning, and human-machine interaction system. Driving Sphero from the central app is just the start. An open API for iOS and Android invites developers around the world to dive right in. Oh, and Sphero is just fun.

Over 20+ apps are available for download, through iTunes Appstore and Android Marketplace, including:

• Sphero Drive - The Driving App built just for Sphero
  Drive Sphero with joystick, tilt, or old-school remote controls. Create challenging courses, race against friends and family, or turn out the lights for a little night racing.
• Sphero Chromo - Match the color. Beat the clock.
  Get ready to challenge your coordination and your memory with the first app that lets you use Sphero as a controller. Move Sphero to match the colors on your screen for an entirely new way to challenge yourself. You can choose from six different game modes. Chromo is initially available for iOS only
• Sphero Macrolab - Unleash Sphero's Inner Robot.
  Create easy, repeatable programs and macros for Sphero. Arrange simple commands and settings in any combination you choose to let Sphero drive autonomously, follow unique patterns, and more. Play your commands, save favorites, and even share them with friends. Multiball capability only available on Android.
  
• Sphero Draw N Drive. If you can draw it, Sphero can drive it.
  Use your finger to trace a shape or path on the screen and Sphero will follow it before your eyes. Just give your smartphone or tablet a shake to clear the slate.
• Sphero Golf -A totally new swing on golf.
  Sphero is the ball and your phone is the club. Pick a jhole then swing your phone or flick a finger to hit.

 What's included?

• Sphero robotic ball and inductive charging base
• Quick Start card and user manual
• Over 20+ free apps available through the iTunes App Store or Google Play

Construction: Inside: Orbotix Smart Robot Outside: Opaque high-impact polycarbonate shell;  

Dimensions: Size: 74mm diameter

System Requirements

• iOS4 or greater
• iPod touch (3rd and 4th generations)
• iPhone 5, 4S, 4, and 3GS
• iPad 2 and iPad
• Android Devices with operating system 2.2, 2.3.3+ and 3.0+

Click here to Stuff Magazine's review of the Sphero

The New York Times: "Crazy, clever fun!"

Mac World: "Enough techno-cool to make a geek's heart skip a beat"

President Obama: "Give me some space to drive my ball. That's terriffic!"

Spike: "A new type of gaming system"