For the average
human being, a ball may just be a toy for the kids, bouncing prey for pets or vital
equipment to athletes. But for the passionate founders of Orbotix, Adam Wilson and
Ian Bernstein, it is the zenith of robotics and the best example of
how one day, smart phones can interact with the human world.
Orbotix is a
company that focuses on launching a new idea of fun through the use of
smart-phone controlled gadgets and robotics. In 2011, the company sold their
first product, Sphero, an orb shaped like a grapefruit, which links to Android
and IOS devices via Bluetooth. To put it simply, Sphero, is the planet’s first
ever smart phone-controlled ball.
Envisioned by
Bernstein, a robotics genius, and Wilson, a Bluetooth whiz and software hacker,
the gizmo consists of processors, motors, accelerometers and gyroscopes, that
propel it. It also has LED lights that change colors every now and a durable
polycarbonate casing that can withstand high-impact falls. Several smart phone
applications allow users to roll, fling, drive or putt Sphero wherever for as
long as the users are within a 50-foot range away from the ball. The Sphero
also has the potential to transform itself into a gaming console. To push
things even further, Orbotix manufactured a piece of software that allows users
to build their own apps for the Sphero device, ranging from musical properties
to basic ball tricks.
To date, the
company has raised over $6 million and has big plans for their future. They are
currently planning to sharpen up their hardware platform, create innovative
games and see what comes out of the fusion between the $90 billion toy industry
and the $25 billion mobile apps sphere. It is undoubtedly a blank slate, but
Orbotix is more than ready to fill it up.
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