Makeblock mBot vs Sphero indi
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| MakeblockmBot | Spheroindi | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | – | – |
| Task and control | ||
| Form | Wheeled | Wheeled |
| Use | Education | Education |
| User programming | Yes | Yes |
| Phone app | Yes | Yes |
| Movement | – | Small car-shaped rolling robot. |
| User programming | Block programming and Arduino C/C++. | Colour tiles provide screen-free instructions. The free Sphero Edu Jr app changes responses using simplified blocks. |
| Regional availability | Blue P1050017 and Pink 90107 variants orderable on 3 October 2026. Orderable on the maker store on 3 October 2026; maker states delivery to the contiguous United States only. | The maker US store accepts orders for Student Kit SKU 980-0530 on 3 October 2026, but explicitly states it is backordered with shipment expected October 2026; orders with other items wait until all are in stock. |
| Release details | Exact first-sale date not established from the maker evidence read. | First retail-sale date was not established from maker evidence; a current backorder delivery estimate is not a new product launch. |
| Hardware | ||
| Height | – | 38.1 mm |
| Width | – | 69.85 mm |
| Depth | – | 76.2 mm |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Processing | mCore controller at 16 MHz. | – |
| Sensors | Light and ultrasonic sensors, infrared emitter and line-following module. | Onboard colour sensing reads the supplied instruction tiles. |
| Audio | Buzzer. | Onboard speaker. |
| Size and weight | – | Maker robot dimensions: 3 × 2.75 × 1.5 inches (length × width × height); 76.2 × 69.85 × 38.1 mm. |
| Connections | Maker lists USB, Bluetooth and a 2.4 GHz radio option; the radio option is not described as Wi-Fi. | – |
| Accessories | mBot2 is a separate selectable product on this store page; its photographs and specifications are excluded. | Single Student Kit includes one robot, 20 latex-free rubber colour tiles, carrying case, 15 challenge cards, stickers and charging cable. Classroom mats and multi-robot charging cases are separate bundles. |
| Battery | ||
| Charging | – | Charging cable included; the optional classroom case charges multiple robots. |
| Battery | Four AA batteries or an optional 3.7 V 1800 mAh lithium-polymer pack. Capacity is not assigned to AA configurations. | – |
| Runtime conditions | Maker lists approximately 1 hour runtime and 3–4 hours charging alongside its rechargeable-pack option; these are not an AA-battery guarantee. | – |
