Review: Sphero BB-8 Star Wars Mini-Droid in the practical test

About the BB-8 from Sphero I've told you about on several occasions. Now the new Star Wars was officially launched in theaters and fans of space saga already know which key role of kugelnde robot plays in the film. Reason enough for us to test the iOS gadget.

Unboxing & Installation: Extremely high-quality packaging and processing

The BB-8 comes in a really nicely designed package home. Sphero relies on a high-quality cardboard-print with many small details. The whole package makes a really high-quality impression (it may even at the price). To install the label covering the head of Sphero must be removed and these are then placed on the magnetic ball-body. After that, you simply put the BB8 on the charging station and this awakens already there for life. I thought that was personally solved quite funny, because you have to wait at least ten minutes of charging time, to enable the robot to move. Lasting charging beeps and blinks the robot and turns his head. Cute, but can be disabled for future loads.

Practice Test: Let's "ball"!

The Sphero BB-8 app itself, I have tested on an iPhone 6 (iOS), an LG G3s (Android) and a 5X Nexus (Android). And I now have found no differences in the App assembly and operation.

After starting the app and connect to Sphero (of works within seconds ... because my Wearable may sometimes take an example it ...) you now selects which operating mode you want to use: driving, patrol, voice commands or hologram messages reflect ,

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BB-8 ™ App Enabled Droid Powered by Sphero

Developer: Orbotix Inc.

Price: Free

Driving mode:

In Driving mode, your sets as First, where for your BB-8 is the front and which the back. For this purpose, the app offers a setting which is displayed visually on the belly of Sphero with a blue LED. Now the display must be turned so that the blue Lichtlein shows to you and already the BB8 is calibrated. What makes the light otherwise? It lights up blue ...

The circular control wheel you move to Sphero BB8 in any direction and sets the pace. This is somewhat complex in the first 5 minutes, but once you raushat the bow, it works really well. A little tip from me: Sets the speed for your first roll tests on very low and moves the "moving circle" not always quite to the edge. Then the Sphero BB8 travels much slower and you get a feel for the little ones.

If you let go the BB8 with pace against the wall, then it loses its magnetic head. The notices of the Good but not but kugelt merrily through the apartment. The head you must then preferably the back vorkramen under the couch and re-place.

Once you get the hang of and the apartment hergibt corresponding space, makes driving with the BB8 really fun. It feels completely different from a remotely controllable car childhood and the compact technology in conjunction with the LEDs and beep sounds the app convey genuine Star Wars feeling at home.

In addition to the classical approach 12 prefabricated special movements are stored in the driving mode currently. So you let the BB8 by nodding or shaking his head or respond befehlt the little one an eight or a circle in your apartment to go.

Patrol mode:

This is my absolute favorite feature. In this the Sphero runs completely independent of me through the apartment and kugelt from room to room. He encounters an obstacle, he moves his head, as if he were looking for a way out or "scan" the obstacle and then moves in the opposite direction. This is not only extremely cute, but conveys somehow feel to live with an autonomous robot together.For me as a technology-affine man that's just one of the highlights when the boy comes here passed the desk, beeps briefly and then disappears into the living room. At the same time a variety of status information, graphics, speed and collision information are displayed on the app. But this is more a gimmick and you can choose to have nothing further, just look nice.

Voice commands:

This feature is now not really something special, especially if you know the capabilities of Siri or "OK ​​Google". In the app a few voice commands are stored, to respond to the BB8. So you can with him, "Look out!" Put to attention or animate with "Run away" to panic escape. Unfortunately you have to speak the commands in English. For the BB8 has understood nearly every word right away. Cute additional gimmick. Here Sphero may like to expand with an app update the functional range.

News / hologram play:

Also a nice gimmick, whose actual meaning is really clear only after enjoyment of the new Star Wars. First, you filming with the iPhone a short sequence. Selects play yours now and now filming the BB8, then it looks on the screen as if this would play the filmed message as a hologram. Nice feature and those who have seen the new Star Wars, who knows why this feature is included ;-)

What is the Pet & BB8?

There are two points that must be mentioned necessarily. Smaller pets like cats could feel animated by the ball-structure to view the BB8 as toys. My was interested (see video), but has not (yet) touched him with due respect. Larger dogs can abuse the ball abutment as ball and theoretically completely lift the mouth and carry around. The BB8 is in this case at least splashproof

Sphero promises brisk regular app updates and new features

The second criticism is actually suits at the highest level: When you're in the app and starts the patrol mode can not switch on the homescreen you without the BB8 ceases to patrol. That is, if you want to use the BB8, the app must also be active. Sphero has promised to BB8 with regular software updates (ie the app) to supply and nachzuliefern new features and functionality. In the test crashed the Android app from twice. Once so easy and once at the hologram fun. The iOS app such blunders do not afforded. Point for Apple.

Conclusion: The must-have for Star Wars fans and tech-savvy people

When I ask the BB8 the first time have presented, I titled it as a must-have. And this statement I can absolutely underline after extensive testing. And for whom the purchase is worth now? Clearly real Star Wars fans and tech-savvy people! Although I am now more technology-savvy than Star Wars junk, I was pleased to hear the part like a little kid. Fascinating technology, cool fun for big kids, just awesome ... everything installed and packed with a "children's toy" super quality definitely has nothing to do. Those looking for a cool gift, in which the recipient guarantees makes air jumps, then you are absolutely right (Thanks, sis!).

BB-8 App Enabled Droid by Sphero

Price: EUR 159.99

 (40 reviews)

30 used & new from just EUR 143.00