BB-8
© 2015 Orbotix, Inc.
The size of a baseball, this speedy self-propelled Star Wars branded Sphero is controlled with your tablet or phone. The most striking new feature is the magnetic head, which glides on the top of the rolling ball -- just like the movie BB-8, only on a much smaller scale (the movie version looks to be about the size of a beachball). A more accurate name is mini-BB-8. The process of charging and syncing the BB-8 to your tablet with Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) is easy. The app is nicely designed, offering more features than previous Spheros we've tested. The BB-8 is tricky to steer but fast -- reaching speeds of nearly 5 mph. According to the producer, the Bluetooth range is 100 feet. You can do a lot more than just drive around. Features include an autonomous mode (BB-8 learns the environment) and can be controlled with voice commands. There's a message recording option that "beams" recorded movies to your iPad's screen, but that was clunky. If you've ever used a Sphero product, you know that they can be hard to steer, so expect a learning curve. There's also a high novelty effect with this toy that will fade in a few days. In the box: the robot, an induction charging base, and a micro USB cable. You can download the free app on a newer Android or Apple device, and you're ready to go.
$150, iPad, iPhone, Android
Teaches: robotics, fine motor coordination, Star Wars
CTR Rating: 88%