Spotlight on: Sphero Bolt

Robotics, sensors, lighting, even gaming are all possible on the amazing Sphero BOLT (187-1549) : a robotic ball chock-full of creative and captivating functionality. Whether you’re a student wanting to get your mitts on its vast potential or you work in education and want to introduce your class to one of the most novel coding platforms available, Sphero’s newest release is a must-see. 

In this guide, we explore this brand-new tech; what it is, how it works, the various projects for which it can be used and how to use Sphero in the classroom, as well as a note of any other components that you’ll need or want to go alongside it. Read on to learn more!

What is Sphero? What is the BOLT? 

Sphero is a producer of programmable spherical robots designed for educational settings. The edtech company became famous with the release of the Sphero 1.0, 2.0, Ollie, and Sphero Sprk+. According to the company, its tech has been used to educate millions of students across some 20,000 schools – that’s a whole lot of roll-bots! 

Sphero recently released the Sphero BOLT, a fully transparent and supremely more feature-packed iteration of the popular technology. The new model piles on the functionality: gyroscopes, motor encoders, accelerometers, a compass, light sensors, infrared sensors and an 8x8 LED matrix display are all loaded into the tiny sphere. They can be programmed or controlled remotely via Bluetooth, too; typically using a smartphone. 

The tech even comes with wireless charging, meaning that it can stay safely encased in its waterproof, UV-protected spherical shell – keeping the Sphero BOLT safe from shocks, spills, kids, and the classroom. It really is practically indestructible! 

How does Sphero work? 

Sphero devices such as the BOLT work with the use of an accelerometer, gyroscope and small wheels – all of which sit snugly inside the tough plastic sphere. 

When instructed, the wheels spin and climb up the interior of the sphere, causing it to roll forward. To turn, the ball uses its gyroscope. The BOLT’s on-board magnetometer (or compass) lets users program directions relative to the Earth’s orientation, while a neat, simple auto-aim feature allows the robot to point itself in whichever way you are pointing to. 

That’s not the only way in which this Sphero marvel works, though. Thanks to their four, 360-degree infrared sensors, BOLTs can also be programmed in concert or to communicate with each other, putting a whole host of extra capabilities into the palms of users, and their 8x8 RGB LED matrix can be used to code vibrant images and animations. 

The ambient light sensor allows the BOLT to be programmed relative to different sources and intensities of light. 

For what kinds of Sphero projects can the BOLT be used? 

Due to the countless capabilities of the BOLT, coding students and hobbyists can get stuck into a wide variety of engrossing Sphero projects. 

Understanding atoms 

A perfect project for school kids, this Sphero Project involves creating a program that mimics the movement of atomic particles. The BOLT is then dipped in a little bit of paint, placed on a piece of paper, and the program is run – tracing the movements of atoms in solid, liquid, or gaseous states. This project is great for getting more visually focused learners into physics. 

Obstacle courses 

One of the best things about Sphero is that many projects can be combined with other subjects – like art and design – as opposed to just computer programming, making it even more accessible. Creating an obstacle course is one such project. 

Using cardboard, Lego or any other materials that you have to hand, build a course for your Sphero to navigate. Create ramps, gates and other obstacles – and, to really go the extra mile, build multiple lanes so that you can race multiple BOLTs! To navigate either, use the remote-control function or program your robot, developing your coding skills. 

Robotic mind control 

Sphero BOLTs can talk to one another via infrared – a cool feature that you can explore with this great little project. In it, you use one Sphero to control another, exploring the IR features via the Sphero Edu app’s communication blocks. Once you’ve written the code, you can start controlling the other bot’s mind! 

Light work 

Put the BOLT’s new light sensors through their paces with this Sphero project. Using conditional and dynamic programming, once you’ve written the code, you’ll be able to use a light source to control your BOLT – whether that’s playing animations on the LED display or making the BOLT move away from the source of light. 

Chariot racing 

Perfect for getting students interested in history and design topics, in this project you create a chariot that can be pushed or pulled by Sphero. LEGO, K’NEX, or simple pipe cleaners – lots of materials will work as long as you can make a cart and working wheels from them. For even more fun, this project can be combined with racetrack or obstacle-course designing. 

Alongside the Sphero projects spotlighted above, you can get loads of other ideas from the free Sphero Edu and Sphero Play apps as well. Take a look through, then get making and programming! 

Using Sphero in the classroom: what skills does it help teach? 

Programming education forms a big part of the UK's computing curriculum and a 2021 Worldskills survey saw 92% of employers say that digital skills were important skills for employees. However, Education Data Lab statistics cited by WorldSkills show that the number of GCSE computing students has nevertheless dropped 40% since 2015. 

That’s where fun and accessible coding aids like the Sphero BOLT come in. 

Using Sphero in the classroom, teachers have a brilliant tool at their disposal to get children enthused about STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths) and computing early in their schooling. 

Sphero’s apps and technology are designed for kids and beginners and can be easily controlled via smartphone and tablet – two devices on which most kids these days are pretty clued up! All coding is done through the free app, and there are lots of projects into which you can jump from day one. 

This is where Sphero really comes into its own in the classroom. Many of the projects aren’t just coding and programming tasks; instead, they’re coding combined with design, physics or a host of other subjects. That means that you can explore computer science in a wide range of contexts – showing kids just how many applications coding has in the real work, and hopefully sparking their imaginations as a result. 

Skills-wise, Sphero doesn’t just teach children how to code but flexes their imaginations, teaches them persistence and boosts their problem-solving abilities, too. That makes it a great addition to any classroom! 

Which other components will I need to use the Sphero BOLT? 

All you need to get started with the Sphero BOLT is the system itself and a mobile device – the app is completely free. You can purchase the BOLT either on its own or in a pack of 15 (187-1551) designed for classrooms. Power banks fitting 15 BOLTs (187-1552) are also available to get them charged up quickly, en masse too. 

The Sphero BOLT is popular for a reason, giving teachers and kids an exciting and engrossing way to get into coding and bring tech to a wide range of other school subjects. For more information on how you get your school rolling, get in touch with our team today.