Sphero Ollie is a cool app-controlled robotic toy that was released in 2014 by a company called Orbotix Inc. who introduced the world’s first robotic ball. Sphero Ollie robot a fun toy that you control using your smartphone via an accompanying app.
Ollie can be driven indoors or outdoors and is similar to an RC car, but much better, in my opinion. Fun things you can do with Ollie include drifting him while you drive, spinning him around his axis, flipping him over, and many more tricks that your creative mind can think of.
I’ve been able to test-drive Ollie for a few days and had fun doing so. I’ve created a few videos based on my experience playing with this cool robotic toy and here you will find an in-depth review on Sphero Ollie. Overall, I think it will make a great gift for kids ages 8+.
First off, you will require a smartphone (iPhone or Android) in order to control Ollie the robot as it does not have a remote control like RC cars. Also, you will need to download the Ollie app which is available in Android (4.4 and above) or iPhone (iOS 7 and above). And if you’re wondering what technology allows you to remotely control Ollie using your smartphone, it’s the Bluetooth functionality on your cell phone.
I’ve been able to test-drive Ollie for a few days and had fun doing so. I’ve created a few videos based on my experience playing with this cool robotic toy and here you will find an in-depth review on Sphero Ollie. Overall, I think it will make a great gift for kids ages 8+.
First off, you will require a smartphone (iPhone or Android) in order to control Ollie the robot as it does not have a remote control like RC cars. Also, you will need to download the Ollie app which is available in Android (4.4 and above) or iPhone (iOS 7 and above). And if you’re wondering what technology allows you to remotely control Ollie using your smartphone, it’s the Bluetooth functionality on your cell phone.
Sphero Ollie: Specifications and Android App
When I first saw Ollie, I was skeptical whether it was built tough enough to withstand drops, hits, and flips. However, I was surprised how tough it was after having tested it out. Sphero Ollie has a tubular designed body built from polycarbonate material making it tough. Its tubular shape along with two independently rotating wheels, makes Ollie easier to handle and perform a variety of tricks.
Ollie’s cylindrical body has built-in LEDs that glow, in different colors, while driving or calibrating/initializing. Weighing 1.375 pounds, this rolling robot can reach speeds as high as 14 Mph or 23 Kph. And with a range of 30 meters (approximately 100 feet), it gives a pretty decent range to remotely control Ollie.
This fun robotic toy comes with two rubber tires and hubcaps. However, you can customize Ollie with different types of grip tires (ultra, nubby, and turbo) that come in different colors (blue, green, red, pink, and black). You also get a variety of hubcaps.
Sphero Ollie is equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery. It takes approximately two hours to charge the battery via a microUSB port using a USB cable (included in the package). A fully charged Ollie will provide about one hour of play time. Before recharging Ollie, please ensure that you let it cool down.
As briefly indicated earlier, calibrating and controlling this robotic toy is accomplished via the Ollie app (available for Android and iOS platforms). Therefore, you require a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone equipped with Bluetooth technology. The Ollie app has a virtual joystick and a Trick pad allowing you to control Ollie’s movements and perform fun tricks.
Also, the app allows you to customize Ollie’s settings like speed, handling, and acceleration. Furthermore, you can change the orientation of the joystick and Trick pad. Ollie’s firmware is automatically and wirelessly updated via your smartphone device.
Ollie’s cylindrical body has built-in LEDs that glow, in different colors, while driving or calibrating/initializing. Weighing 1.375 pounds, this rolling robot can reach speeds as high as 14 Mph or 23 Kph. And with a range of 30 meters (approximately 100 feet), it gives a pretty decent range to remotely control Ollie.
This fun robotic toy comes with two rubber tires and hubcaps. However, you can customize Ollie with different types of grip tires (ultra, nubby, and turbo) that come in different colors (blue, green, red, pink, and black). You also get a variety of hubcaps.
Sphero Ollie is equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery. It takes approximately two hours to charge the battery via a microUSB port using a USB cable (included in the package). A fully charged Ollie will provide about one hour of play time. Before recharging Ollie, please ensure that you let it cool down.
As briefly indicated earlier, calibrating and controlling this robotic toy is accomplished via the Ollie app (available for Android and iOS platforms). Therefore, you require a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone equipped with Bluetooth technology. The Ollie app has a virtual joystick and a Trick pad allowing you to control Ollie’s movements and perform fun tricks.
Also, the app allows you to customize Ollie’s settings like speed, handling, and acceleration. Furthermore, you can change the orientation of the joystick and Trick pad. Ollie’s firmware is automatically and wirelessly updated via your smartphone device.
How to Set Up Sphero Ollie
Ollie is a lot of fun to play with, but in order to get the most of this robotic toy, you need to take the time to learn a few thins and set up Ollie. Follow these steps below and you will soon be on your way to some fun times with your best friend Ollie. If you’d rather watch an instructional video, check the Ollie Set-up video below:
- First things first, you need to pump some life into Ollie, after all he is a robot and his life depends on the built-in rechargeable battery. Based on my experience, it takes about two hours to fully charge Sphero Ollie and once charged, you will get about an hour of playtime with this friendly robot. Ollie is charged using the USB cable included in the package.
- Next, you need to download the Ollie app available at Google Play (Android) or iTunes (Apple iPhone). The app is compatible with Android (4.4 and above) or iPhone (iOS 7 and above) respectively.
- Once you have Ollie fully charged and the app downloaded, it’s time to connect and initialize Ollie. Basically, in this step, you are syncing Ollie and your smartphone. As soon as you open the Ollie app, you will be prompted to tap Ollie with your smartphone (make sure that your Bluetooth is on). This process takes a couple of seconds as Ollie syncs with your smartphone.
- The final step, in setting up Ollie, is to aim your smartphone at Ollie in order to effectively control the robot. This is achieved by clicking on the aim button on the Ollie app and then using the illuminated circle to align Ollie’s tail to your smartphone. You can also customize Ollie by changing settings like his speed, handling, and acceleration.
Performing Tricks with Sphero Ollie
As you already know, you can drive Ollie around like an RC car, indoors or outdoors, using the virtual joystick. However, this rolling robot on wheels can do much more than just drift. You can perform tricks with Ollie while it spins and flips. Each of Ollie’s two wheels move independent of each other, which allows Ollie to perform a variety of tricks.
For example, to give Ollie a quick spin, right swipe or left swipe the Trick pad. For a long spin, swipe the Trick pad (left or right) and hold your finger on the Trick pad. You want to see “Crazy Ollie”? Swipe down and hold your finger on the Trick pad. If you need to brake while driving Ollie, just touch the Trick pad and hold your finger.
To see the tricks that you can perform with Ollie, check the Android app Help section. In the video above, you will see Ollie in action and some of the tricks.
For example, to give Ollie a quick spin, right swipe or left swipe the Trick pad. For a long spin, swipe the Trick pad (left or right) and hold your finger on the Trick pad. You want to see “Crazy Ollie”? Swipe down and hold your finger on the Trick pad. If you need to brake while driving Ollie, just touch the Trick pad and hold your finger.
To see the tricks that you can perform with Ollie, check the Android app Help section. In the video above, you will see Ollie in action and some of the tricks.
Potential Drawbacks and Help with Sphero Ollie
Ollie is fun to play with and I’m sure your kids will love him. This robotic toy is made from durable material built to withstand tough hits, falls, and tumbles. Mind you, I’m not suggesting that you should throw Ollie around. However, Ollie is not waterproof like the Sphero ball, so make sure not to submerge it in water.
One hour of battery life seems a little less, but it takes only a couple of hours to recharge. And I think it may be a good thing that the battery lasts only one hour because it allows kids to take a break given that it requires repetitive hand and finger movements to control Ollie.
While driving Ollie indoors, especially at home with furniture around the house, Ollie can get stuck. However, by using the Trick pad, you can easily free the robot. For example, you can use the “crazy Ollie” trick, which worked for me.
This hasn’t happened too often with me, while testing Ollie. However, if this rolling robot goes out of range (30 meters) or gets ”dizzy” while performing some tricks, you may have to recalibrate Ollie with your smartphone. It doesn’t take too long though.
And finally, this is not drawback, but something to consider. Controlling Ollie will take some practice, especially precision turns and getting used to Ollie’s orientation. My suggestion would be to take the time to set up Ollie and sync the unit correctly with your smartphone. This will go a long way in ensuring that this robotic toy will be one of your kids’ best toy.
If you need any help with Sphero Ollie, check out my videos on my YouTube channel (click the images above). Should you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
Credits
Sphero, the Sphero logo, and Ollie are trademarks of Orbotix, Inc.
All other trademarks like Android, Bluetooth and others, belong to the respective ownders.
Images on this webpage belong to author, unless mentioned or linked to.
Official Sphero Website: www.gosphero.com
One hour of battery life seems a little less, but it takes only a couple of hours to recharge. And I think it may be a good thing that the battery lasts only one hour because it allows kids to take a break given that it requires repetitive hand and finger movements to control Ollie.
While driving Ollie indoors, especially at home with furniture around the house, Ollie can get stuck. However, by using the Trick pad, you can easily free the robot. For example, you can use the “crazy Ollie” trick, which worked for me.
This hasn’t happened too often with me, while testing Ollie. However, if this rolling robot goes out of range (30 meters) or gets ”dizzy” while performing some tricks, you may have to recalibrate Ollie with your smartphone. It doesn’t take too long though.
And finally, this is not drawback, but something to consider. Controlling Ollie will take some practice, especially precision turns and getting used to Ollie’s orientation. My suggestion would be to take the time to set up Ollie and sync the unit correctly with your smartphone. This will go a long way in ensuring that this robotic toy will be one of your kids’ best toy.
If you need any help with Sphero Ollie, check out my videos on my YouTube channel (click the images above). Should you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
Credits
Sphero, the Sphero logo, and Ollie are trademarks of Orbotix, Inc.
All other trademarks like Android, Bluetooth and others, belong to the respective ownders.
Images on this webpage belong to author, unless mentioned or linked to.
Official Sphero Website: www.gosphero.com
No comments:
Post a Comment