BOLT Coding Robot vs Photon
Side-by-side comparison of BOLT Coding Robot (Sphero) and Photon (Photon Entertainment) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
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Optimized for Manufacturing buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- BOLT Coding RobotUnited States
- PhotonPoland
Year First Available
- BOLT Coding Robot2024
- Photon2017
Verified Deployments
- BOLT Coding Robot0 Deployments
- Photon0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- BOLT Coding Robot$179 USD
- Photon$215 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- BOLT Coding Robot2 hrs
- Photon8 hrs
Availability Status
- BOLT Coding RobotACTIVE
- PhotonACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Max Speed
- BOLT Coding Robot2 m/s
- Photon0.4 m/s
Autonomy Level
- BOLT Coding Robot—
- Photonsemi-autonomous
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United States | Poland |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2024 | 2017 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $179 USD | $215 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 2 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Max Speed (values differ) | 2 m/s | 0.4 m/s |
| Autonomy Level (values differ) | — | semi-autonomous |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Payload Capacity, Reach, IP Rating
ROI Comparison
Same operating assumptions across every robot — the only difference is price. Set your numbers once to see which pays back fastest.
Annual labor displaced (per robot): $50,000
| Metric | BOLT Coding Robot | Photon |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $179 | $215 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,821 | $249,785 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +139565% | +116179% |
Estimates labor-cost displacement only — not a full total cost of ownership. Actual ROI depends on integration, maintenance, training, downtime, and task fit. Converted currencies are indicative; USD is the price of record.
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes BOLT Coding Robot and Photon?
BOLT Coding Robot is made by Sphero, based in US. Photon is made by Photon Entertainment, based in PL.
When were BOLT Coding Robot and Photon launched?
BOLT Coding Robot launched in 2024. Photon launched in 2017.
How much does BOLT Coding Robot cost compared to Photon?
BOLT Coding Robot is listed at $179. Photon is listed at $215.
How do BOLT Coding Robot and Photon compare on the Robo Index?
BOLT Coding Robot grades A on the Robo Index. Photon grades A. The Robo Index is a credibility grade (AAA … C) that blends commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are BOLT Coding Robot and Photon in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Education on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between BOLT Coding Robot and Photon?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: The Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
The Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags
10 min readEducation Robots
A 90-Day Classroom Robotics Rollout Playbook
9 min readEducation Robots
Decision Framework: Matching Robots to Grade Band and Learning Goals
10 min readEducation Robots
Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
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About this comparison
BOLT Coding Robot vs Photon compares two robots in the education category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Index is calculated.