Sphero launches next generation of educational robots Bolt+
Sphero has redesigned its spherical educational robot Bolt and named it Bolt+. Some of the hardware has been renewed and the software has been updated.
(Image: Sphero (Screenshot))
Sphero has revised its spherical educational robot for pupils aged around 12 and teachers, as the company announced on Tuesday. The version created six years after the launch of Sphero Bolt is now simply called Bolt+. The hardware has been improved. Bolt+-specific programming blocks and learning lessons are also available.
The Bolt+ educational robot has remained true to its basic design. A transparent plastic ball contains the programmable electronics and the electric motor drive that makes the plastic ball rotate and thus moves the robot. Some of the robot's hardware is new, such as the 128 × 128 pixel color LC display, which can show several hundred ready-made graphics and animations as well as status information. The old Bolt still had a much coarser, simple matrix display.
The learning robot can be woken up by simply shaking it (shake-to-wake). It then automatically connects to the registered cell phone or tablet for programming and control via the "Sphero Edu" app.
The Sphero Bolt+ is now charged wirelessly via Qi. Sphero promises that the battery life has been improved thanks to optimized energy management and should keep the robot active for a whole day.
Programming blocks especially for Bolt+
There are Bolt+-specific programming blocks for the "Sphero-Edu" app, such as the roll-to-distance block, which is designed to enable more precise maneuvering of the robot. Bolt+ can also be controlled manually while a program is being executed on it. From now on, users can assign and call up software buttons with their own functions in the "Sphero Edu" app.
Instructions and 38 new learning lessons are available for programming the robot to enable cross-curricular use.
The Sphero Bolt+ educational robot is available in two versions: as a single robot for 199 US dollars and as a Power Pack with a total of 15 robots for schools for 3499 dollars. "For a limited time," Sphero is offering an update program for those who already own a Sphero Bolt. They can trade in their old robot for the new Bolt+ at a discount of 70 dollars. The Power Pack is then up to 1050 dollars cheaper.
So far, the new Sphero Bolt+ can only be pre-ordered. According to Sphero, delivery is scheduled for August 2024.
(olb)
