Engaging Play Through Sphero RVR Coding

The Sphero RVR tank is an excellent STEAM vehicle, giving kids the ability to control or code it remotely.

As an elementary school makerspace manager, one of the top activities our kids love is playing with the Sphero robotic balls.  At first, they just loved moving the balls using the joystick in the Sphero app.

Then, with exploration, some have learned you can play games and direct your app “character” by moving the Sphero balls in your hand.

For others, I have identified a few interesting in coding that could benefit from the ability to code on a tablet and make a physical toy move.  

For these students, they use the Sphero Edu app which gives them the opportunity to code further. 

This app can be used for all the Sphero products and we use it for the Sphero Bolt and the Mini’s.

But I reserved the Sphero RVR  for those kids who want to know more.  

Sphero RVR

What is the Sphero RVR?  Aptly defined by Sphero as the “Go-Anywhere, Do-Anything Programmable Robot,” the Sphero is an all-terrain vehicle that can be coded to do extraordinary things.

With future innovation in mind, the RVR was created as a blank canvas to build anything from simple RC maneuvers to complex scientific problems.

In fact, I would say the Sphero RVR can be easily controlled by a kindergartener as well.

It’s ideal when a STEAM toy can grow with a child, allowing him/her to build a more robust robot as his/her imagination grows.

Elementary Kids

Kids can draw a path and the Sphero RVR will follow it, giving its distance in centimeters.

The Sphero RVR, though very sturdy and robust, is probably best introduced during the later school grade years, starting somewhere between 6-8th grade.

I would recommend starting with the Sphero Mini or SPRK+ to gauge kids’ interest in robotics and coding.  The prices of these robotic balls are less yet you can still move them with a joystick or basic scratch coding…or even more complex coding in the Sphero Edu app.

The Sphero RVR is the top of the Sphero robotic line and makes a perfect reward and gift for kids with a keen interest in coding.

Kids can pick up where they left off in coding the other Sphero balls…and even use the same coding programs if they want to.  Any custom coding can be used towards any Sphero products.

But the Sphero has extra features that the others don’t have like its IR sensor, RBG Color sensor (to read colors and to react as programmed), light sensor, 10 individually programmable RGB LEDs, and its Magnetometer (a more advanced sensor that measures magnetism of a magnetic field).

Granted, kids won’t use most of these sensors, but the RBG color sensor and programmable LED’s will be fun to code.

Kids can place different colors of paper for the color sensor to read.  Based on what kids code, the RVR will do something after it runs over the color square…like turn left, spin around, turn on certain colors, etc.

Here, the Sphero RVR is programmed to show two different RGB headlamps during the command of a coded programmed run.

The RGB lights can be programmed independently to particular colors, coded to appear whenever your child wants…like when going through a tunnel, when doing a 360 turn, or alternating between colors as it drives up a steep kid-made hill.

The Sphero RVR is great for cause-and-effect coding and can be used indoors or out, although it is not waterproof.

To code with the Sphero Edu app, kids have three options:  through drawing, blocks, or text coding, which is more advanced. 

Again, the Sphero RVR grows in sophistication along with your child’s interest.

High School & Older

The Sphero RVR was created to do so much more.  It was developed based on feedback from high school students, college students, researchers, scientists, and engineers.

For them, it is the base to build upon for an original robot or DIY tank. 

With its different sensors built-in, the RVR allows for professional-level control, accurate navigation, and the ability to do advanced programming at an entry-level price.

To see the Sphero RVR in action and what’s possible, see Sphero’s RVR video.

RVR FEATURES:

• High capacity, rechargeable removable battery
• Utilizes the latest USB-C charging system
• Removable, protective roll cage
• Houses a lot of sensors including, a color sensor light sensor, IR Magnetometer, Accelerometer, and Gyroscope
• Ready to be driven right out of the box
• No coding needed to begin driving the vehicle
• Customizable and can be expanded further by connecting to Raspberry Pi, Arduino, micro:bit hardware via the universal 4-Pin UART expansion port
• Tank track wheels help RVR with travel over uneven surfaces, steep hills, and allow for better traction
• All-terrain, highly programmable, infinitely-expandable robot 
• Mounting plate to connect 3rd party hardware, toys, and more
• Free Sphero Edu app allows kids to control the RVR via drawing, joystick, block coding, or text coding

PROS:

• Customers asked for something like the RVR and Sphero met the need
• The Sphero RVR is a lot of fun to drive and gives kids different ways to code it
• Even if your child isn’t ready for coding, the joystick allows kids to drive the RVR without code – s/he can even change the speed and LED colors
• The RVR successfully drives over items that are up to 1/2 inch high with its tank wheels
• Both kids and adults will have fun driving the RVR
• Older kids and adults can create a 3D printed LEGO plate to build upon the car
• The RVR can be hacked to do more difficult maneuvers or experiments
•  Sphero RVR users from around the world can upload their programs and directions for others to try
• The Sphero Community also houses questions and answers for users to share
• The RVR can go pretty fast and its speed is completely adjustable

CONS:

• If the RVR flips over, it will not be able to right itself without help
• Once the RVR hits something, it keeps driving until it turns itself off so it doesn’t overheat.  It can’t recover on it’s own
• Sphero offers some helpful Computer Science Foundation courseware, but it’s pricey ($600 for 3 modules)

The Sphero RVR is available from the Sphero website for $249.99 plus shipping.

Sphero Edu is available now on Amazon Appstore, Google Play, Chrome Web Store, Mac App Store and Microsoft Store. 

A Mom’s Perspective

The Sphero RVR is an excellent robot to give to your older child, teen or adult tinkerer who loves to play around with cause-and-effect.

From simply driving it from the remote control joystick, to drawing a path, to making an instant elaborate path using block code, to more complex coding through JavaScript, the this is a versatile vehicle.

I use the Sphero RVR in our makerspace as a reward for those kids who show interest in learning coding.  Right now they can code on our PCs and use block coding through the Sphero Fun app.

But only a few can use the RVR.  They can use the RVR but with this responsibility, they need to teach other kids who are interested.  It’s a win-win.

For added fun, you can set up obstacles to drive the Sphero RVR through.  This gives kids a goal and helps them to fine-tune their block and javascript coding…as well as simple joystick and drawing coding!

If you’re looking into a long-term STEAM investment that grows with your child, the RVR is a sturdy educational vehicle that expands with your child’s interests.

*I was given a Sphero RVR in exchange for my evaluation.  All opinions are my own.