The Conversation (0)
Sphero launches Mini, a tiny robot that looks like a billiards ball
Plus you'll never believe how you control the device.
UPDATED AT 8:03 AM Sept 29
Gesture control in technology is everywhere — including Sphero's latest toy: the Mini. Launching today, the toy is a return to Sphero's main appeal: clean, rolling robots without the franchise plug-ins from Star Wars that we've seen lately from the company.
Small, with a look that resembles a billiards ball, the Mini will come in five colors: white, pink, blue, red and green. You'll be able to run the Mini via a smartphone app, which can read gestures as you tilt and move your head in something called (yes) "Face Drive." This is similar to Sphero's Force Band, a toy the company launched in tandem with its BB-8 robot allowing you to move the device via gesture control.
The Mini can also be controlled via multiple players at once, allowing for a game not unlike keep away, or to run the toy through obstacle courses.
This being a Sphero device, you can also program the robot via Javascript block coding. And there are also pre-programmed options including "Slingshot Mode" which, through the app, lets you use the ball for an actual game of billiards or mini-bowling. (Mini bowling pins come with the toy.)
The toy fits into Sphero's SPRK+ line, has a 60-minute battery life, will eventually connect to Apple's Swift Playground and is launching at $49.99.
Sphero Mini — the robot you control with your face
Meet Sphero MiniSphero Mini packs tons of fun into a tiny, app-enabled robotic ball. Drive using the Sphero Mini app, or with your facial ...
Sphero's $79.99 robot looks like a billiards ball and comes in five colors: pink, green, blue, orange and white.
Related Articles Around the Web
GearBrain Compatibility Find Engine
A pioneering recommendation platform where you can research,
discover, buy, and learn how to connect and optimize smart devices.
Join our community! Ask and answer questions about smart devices and save yours in My Gear.
