Orbotix taking preorders for Sphero

BOULDER – Sphero, a robotic ball that is controlled by an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, rolled past a major milestone Tuesday, when Orbotix Inc. announced it is taking preorders from the general public.

Orbotix calls Sphero “the first mass market robot with a navigational control system.” Orbotix developed both the internal robotics that allows the ball to move and the software that controls it. The ball can move at more than three feet per second and has a range from the user of more than 50 feet.

The founders of Orbotix, which is based in Boulder, developed the prototype for Sphero while part of the Boulder TechStars Class of 2010. The company has raised $6 million in venture capital, including support from the Boulder-based Foundry Group. Paul Berberian, co-founder and chief executve of Raindance Communications and co-founder of Market Force Information, is Orbotix’s CEO.

Demand for Sphero has been growing since the device captured attention at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.

Sphero will retail for $129.99 and includes the ball, an inductive charging base and a charger. Sphero comes with six apps, and the company plans to create an online user community.

Pre-orders can be placed online at www.GoSphero.com and also Amazon.com. Sphero will start shipping in December, but the site says some purchasers might not receive it until early 2012.

Orbotix recently moved to a new 6,871-square-foot office at 1155 Canyon Blvd. The company was represented by Wade Wimmer of Jones Lang LaSalle. Becky Callan Gamble and Dryden Dunsmore of Dean Callan & Co. represented the landlord.

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