Sphero Mini Programmable Robotic Ball

Product Description

Sphero Mini packs tons of fun into a tiny, app-enabled robot about the size of a ping pong ball. Drive Mini using different modes with the Sphero Mini app, or just by using your face. Yes, you read that right. Face Drive is a hilarious new feature that uses your facial expressions to drive the ball. Mini’s games are just as addicting – use the ball as a controller to shoot your way through space, race a ship through a tunnel, or rotate your ball to destroy a polygon of bricks. Thanks to the beauty of app updates, there’s always more on the way. If you’re feeling extra clever, download the Sphero Edu app and program your robot using JavaScript. Packed with teeny tiny tech, Sphero Mini has a little gyroscope, accelerometer, and LED lights. Colorful, interchangeable shells are available, so you can easily switch one out to suit your mood. With almost an hour of play time, Sphero Mini is the next big thing. Recharge the battery at a temperature of between 0º and 40º C (32º to 104º F)

What's in the Box
Sphero Mini Robot, Micro USB Cord, 3 Mini Traffic Cones, 6 Mini Bowling Pins

Features

• LITTLE ROBOT, LOTTA FUN: Sphero Mini packs a ton of fun into a tiny programmable robot the size of a ping pong ball. Equipped with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and colorful LED lights, this app-enabled robotic ball lets you drive, play games, and code using our free apps.
• DRIVE MODE: Control your robot toy any way you like with the Sphero Play app. Drag and drive with Joystick mode, pull back and release with Slingshot mode or tip and rotate your mobile device with Tilt mode. Included with Sphero Mini are 3 traffic cones and 6 bowling pins to inspire obstacle course fun right out of the box.
• PLAY GAMES: Use Sphero Mini as a game controller for arcade-style games in the Sphero Play app. Perfect for playing on the go or with limited space. Choose from 3 different games - shoot through space, speed through a tunnel, or smash a polygon of bricks. With 1 hour of play time, Sphero Mini is the next big thing.
• LEARN TO CODE: Use the Blocks drive mode to give your coding robot basic drag and drop coding commands. Looking for more of a challenge? Download the Sphero Edu app for more ways to program your educational bot, including JavaScript and Swift.
• INSPIRING THE CREATORS OF TOMORROW: Founded in 2010, we set out to redefine creative play experiences with the original Sphero app-enabled robot ball. Now, with our undeniably cool fleet of programmable robots and educational tools, we're inspiring a new generation through hands-on applied learning of coding, science, music and the arts.

Top Reviews

I had great expectations. However
by Amazon Shopper (2 out of 5 stars)
October 13, 2017

As an amateur robot builder, I bought this on the first day it was available. I had great expectations.

However, it simply does not perform.

Here is what happens.
1) Unbox. Quality looks good.
2) Open and charge Sphero mini. Good.
3) Install phone app. Good.
4) Connect to the sphero with phone app. Good.
5) Calibrate the sphero mini by orienting a LED to point at you. Good.
6) Drive the sphero mini in a given direction. Passable.
7) Drive the sphero mini in a different direction. You can hear the wheels spinning inside the shell as it tries to adjust. Lucky if it goes within 30 degrees of the intended direction.
8) Each successive change in direction is less and less accurate. After three direction changes, it is pretty much random.

Watching various video reviews would make you think that the reviewers are not good drivers. In fact, they think they are bad drivers. But in reality, the sphero mini is not a good direction follower.

The issue is the calibration (see step #5 above) does not last long. If you try to re-calibrate later, it is obvious that the LED is pointing in the wrong direction.

There is such a small point of contact between the sphero mini and the ground, that each direction change causes enough spinning that orientation is lost.

I have three requests:
1) Sphero could improve the sphero mini software by allowing an option where the calibration LED is always visible. The app would then have "steering" which allows you to change the direction the LED is pointing. And the app would also have a "forward/reverse slider" for speed control. This would remove the calibration issue and it would be much more controllable. Adding a "trim" to control max speed would be great too.
2) Sphero could improve the sphero hardware. Add a magnetometer so that once the LED orientation is set, the magnetometer can maintain it. This is a very common robot technique for orientation.
3) I challenge anyone to post a video of them driving the sphero mini two laps in a square pattern, four feet on a side.

But for now, I don't recommend.
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Love this little guy!
by Arcturus70 (5 out of 5 stars)
September 21, 2018

I have other Sphero products; however, I was curious about the Mini. I wanted to assess it for classroom use--to bring technology and fun into my high school classroom. So, I purchase the Green Sphere Mini as a test unit to explore its potential. I wasn't disappointed! Set-up was easy and problem free. I knew in advance that I'd need to charge it before trying any of its features. Once it was charged, the fun began. There are two apps that work with this device: 1) "Sphero Play," which allows people to drive the robot, choose drive modes, and play games ; and 2) "Sphero Edu," which allows users to code / program their robot to do unique tasks. Both apps worked with my iPhone X and my HP Chromebook (similar to what my students have). "Sphero Play" works better for me on my mobile phone. For coding / programming, I actually prefer to work the Chromebook because the screen canvas is much larges. Overall, I'm satisfied with my purchase! :)
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Kids love the miniSphero
by soundmind (5 out of 5 stars)
October 16, 2017

as written by the 10 year old who uses Sphero mini:

Sphero mini is an evolutionary device for the whole family. The perfect size makes it easily transportable for on the go fun! From the fun of building courses and playing "hide and seek" possibilities are endless. It's not only a toy but it's a game! I love the different ways you can control it; tilt, slingshot, face drive, and much more! I have an original Sphere, too. this one is similar, but a whole lot different. Mini seems faster and quicker. Also, the LED inside Sphero-mini is cool. Sphero mini is a great product.
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Solid company but wait for 2.0 (mini)
by Ron Nutt 2 (4 out of 5 stars)
November 24, 2017

Sooooo excited to get this little guy. I used it once. I bought it the day it was released but my carpet is too much for the Sphero mini to move. I love the idea and it seems pretty solid but just like the first Sphero ball they made, the 2.0 was much better (power, speed, control, etc).

So my advice is to keep supporting this company because they are doing great things. I hope their price points remain affordable because these toys are still "toys"

If money is tight and you are considering your options then wait for 2.0 mini
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Teacher & STEM
by Sierra Hill (4 out of 5 stars)
May 22, 2018

First off, I teach middle schoolers and it is very difficult to get them excited about pretty much anything. I recently found out about the Sphero mini on a field trip to our local STEM center. One of the stations was to work with the Sphero mini and the Sphero Edu app which allows students to use coding to make the ball move and perform different "tricks". My students and I were so intrigued by this new gadget that I decided to go ahead and buy one to see more of what it could do. Although I do love this new piece of technology, it does not come without its flaws. The ball has trouble making sharp turns and when given too many directions at once, then it starts spinning and you need to "aim" again. Overall, I have enjoyed the Sphero mini and I can't wait to find new ways to incorporate it into my classroom.
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Don't buy if you dont have BRAND NEW DEVICES FOR A CHILD
by Taira Landa (1 out of 5 stars)
December 25, 2018

My 9 year old son does coding at school. He requested this as a Christmas gift. I bough it because learning is always great for kids. I tried to install it on his iPad. It wasnt supported. So i tried it on my older computer that i let him play on, and it wasnt supported. Tried installing it on my very expensive work computer and it wasn't supported. Installed it on my phone and it worked. Also tried installing it through amazon on his tablet and it cannot seem to "find the robot". This is dumb. I won't allow my son to be on my phone to use this all the time, because I use my phone for work. Wish this was better accepted by older devices. Sending it back
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Great for middle school
by Corkig (5 out of 5 stars)
March 17, 2018

We have 2 of these for my middle school tech class and the students are really getting a kick out of them. They are making obstacle courses to race them. The minis work well with the Sphero Edu app and my students are enjoying learning the difference between driving and coding. They are pretty small, which is fine, because I don't have much storage space.
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10/10 would recommend!
by Linda Lynch (5 out of 5 stars)
October 10, 2017

I am a big fan of Sphero and I can honestly say that I had the most fun with this product. The mini games it provides in the app as well as the portability make this a fantastic toy for pass time. I bring it to my classes and when my professors are inevitably late I bring it out and pass the time.
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Four Stars
by Andy (4 out of 5 stars)
December 16, 2017

Happy with it. Cat is mesmerized.

Has trouble with thicker/shag-like carpet though.
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Incompatible with supported devices! Website specs are WRONG
by your name here (1 out of 5 stars)
December 26, 2018

Bought 3 for my kids after reading about compatibility with their existing phones & tablets. According to their website the apps require Android minimum V4.4.2 Kitkat or Fire Tablet 2015. We have android 4.4.2, 4.4 & 5.0 plus they all have Fire tablets 7th gen from 2016-2017. Apps will not install on any of our devices except the one android 5. Pretty big disappointment Christmas morning to the kids to get a toy they can't use!

Support says "I'm afraid there isn't a workaround for these devices and they will not be able to connect no matter what we do." DO NOT TRUST THEIR SPECS on the website.

I'm not even sure if I can return them, about to try to get a full refund.

Update 6/5/19: Sphero has updated their requirements now to Android 5.0, thus invalidating my kids devices but at least they are closer to accurate. Since I had them too long to get a refund (bought them a couple months before christmas and wrapped them under the tree), I'm stuck with 3 sphero's that only work on my phone. I purchased 3 new Samsung Galaxy Tabs for my kids so they could use their christmas toys. Tablets exceeded all Sphero specs, big surprise, none of them will connect. New tickets opened with Sphero, escalated to Engineering told there arae some known issues with connecting to Samsung Galaxy Tab A's. So now I have purchased 3 sphero's, 3 fire tablets, 3 galaxy tablets and still can't get them working. I'm never buying another sphero product.

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