Sphero
Programmable balls and electronics tools, with software support that depends on the exact robot.134
- Co-founders
- Ian Bernstein, Adam Wilson2
- Techstars Boulder cohort
- 20102
- Focus
- Programmable robots and hands-on STEM/computer-science education1
Sphero makes coding visible as motion. Its BOLT robots give a family a machine to program without first assembling a vehicle, while littleBits adds a different route through electronic building blocks. The useful starting point is the project: a moving character, a light display or a circuit. Those are different reasons to choose from the same company's products.1367
Visit Sphero ↗A company shaped by connected play
Sphero identifies Ian Bernstein and Adam Wilson as its co-founders and places them in the 2010 Techstars Boulder class. Its later history includes familiar licensed character robots, followed by a stronger education focus. The current legacy page is useful precisely because it distinguishes those old products from today's coding range.124
The August 2019 combination with littleBits broadened the business beyond rolling robots into electronic building blocks. A separate change followed in May 2020, when Company Six became an independent business for professional robotics.23
Products and learning projects
The original BOLT is identifiable by its 8 by 8 LED matrix. BOLT+ uses an LCD screen and has its own product listing. Sphero still exposes the original BOLT listing alongside a link to its successor. When buying used or comparing a classroom fleet, check the exact model's screen and supported software rather than relying on the BOLT family name.67
Sphero BOLT
The original BOLT has an 8 by 8 LED matrix. When choosing a project for an existing robot or classroom fleet, start with that model's display and supported app.6
Sphero BOLT+
BOLT+ is the separately named successor with an LCD screen. Its display is one visible difference to consider when choosing a robot for a moving character or a coding project.167
littleBits
littleBits extends the company’s educational range into electronic building blocks. It offers a different kind of project from programming a rolling robot, so start with what the child wants to make.3
Choosing for a household
Support also has to be attached to the right product. Sphero says dedicated apps for its listed legacy licensed robots stopped being available to download on October 1, 2021. That is not a retirement date for Sphero Edu or BOLT. A familiar brand on a second-hand box is therefore less useful than the model name and the app it actually needs.4
For current Sphero Edu use, an account is optional for core programming through Quick Start. Central accounts add cloud program storage, saved progress and family or classroom management. Decide whether those shared features are needed before creating child accounts; the account service and the robot are separate parts of the ownership experience.8
Ask to see the exact robot connect to the device it will use at home. Then try the kind of project the child wants to make and decide whether saving work in the cloud or sharing it through a family account would be useful. That connects the choice of hardware and account to an activity you expect to repeat.1678
Read more on Robots in the House
Sources and notes
- Sphero company
Sphero’s description of its STEM and computer-science education focus. It is company positioning, not a study of learning outcomes. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Sphero Company Six spinout
May 20, 2020 issuer announcement identifies the founders and Techstars Boulder 2010 background. The USD3 million financing belongs to the separate Company Six spinout, not Sphero. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Sphero and littleBits
August 23, 2019 announcement of Sphero and littleBits joining forces. The packet used the issuer’s indexed text; electronics modules and robotic balls remain distinct product types. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Sphero legacy product policy
Dedicated apps for the listed legacy licensed robots stopped being downloadable October 1, 2021. This is not a BOLT or Sphero Edu retirement date. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Foundry disclosed investments
Foundry lists Sphero, Inc. among investments. This establishes an investment relationship, not a current controlling owner, stake percentage or complete funding total. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Original BOLT product listing
Original BOLT maker listing and 8 by 8 LED-matrix identity. The company profile makes no current checkout or worldwide hardware-retirement claim. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- BOLT+ product listing
BOLT+ has a separate LCD-screen identity. Its classroom bundle and single-robot options must not share an assumed price or SKU. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Sphero account model
Quick Start supports core programming without an account; Central accounts add saved/cloud and family or classroom functions. This is not a blanket child-data compliance assurance. Source checked 2026-10-26.
We use official disclosures and other identified sources. Company claims are attributed; these profiles do not represent hands-on product testing. Our editorial and AI-use policy.
