Why You Can Trust CNET The hackable, programmable Sphero RVR robot is half off at $132 right now
Intended for STEM programs, the RVR is a great toy for anyone (kid or adult) with a desire to code your own robot.
Late last year, Sphero -- the robotics company with all the cute robot balls and Star Wars droids -- debuted the RVR, a treaded tanklike robot car that's designed to be hacked and programmed. It's aimed at educators and school coding programs, but let's be real: This is an awesome at-home STEM toy for any kid or adult with some coding chops. Over at the official Sphero site, the price has been holding steady at $250, but on Amazon , the price has been sliding downward for the last month or so. And right now the Sphero RVR is $132.15, which is 47% off the regular price and the all-time lowest price ever for this robot.
If you or your kid has some programming chops, the RVR is an amazing catch at $132. It's packed with a color sensor, light sensor, IR, accelerometer and gyroscope, and the bot is fully programmable using tools like Draw & Drive, Scratch blocks or JavaScript.
In fact, RVR is hackable with SDK and API libraries, making it suitable for coders of all skill levels. You can add Arduino, Raspberry Pi or LittleBits components to the robot for additional hacking potential. And you don't have to be a programmer to have fun with an RVR; it's drivable like an R/C car right out of the box.
CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest promo codes from Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page.