Robotic Ball

You know there’s a lot of interest in a new product when the company has to move its CES booth to a larger space at the last minute. That’s what happened this year with Orbotix when it introduced Sphero, a robotic ball.

It’s a baseball-sized plastic ball that you can control via Bluetooth using an iOS or Android device. You load the controller app onto your phone or tablet. Then you can roll the ball in any direction using the onscreen steering mechanism. It’s loads of fun, and Orbotix is hoping that developers will use it as a platform for all kinds of games. You might have it solve a maze by rolling around on the floor. Or you might have two players go head-to-head in a makeshift Sumo match. There’s a boost mode you could use to knock your opponent out of the ring.

There aren’t a lot of details available, but I was told at the booth that you can customize the RGB LED light to change color when you bump up against something. It also recharges using inductive technology, so when you set it down into the charger base, it will charge automatically.

The API for the device is open source, so the sky – or more precisely, the floor – is the limit for developers who want to dream up imaginative new activities for this cool, new tech toy.