Photon vs Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)
Side-by-side comparison of Photon (Photon Entertainment) and Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) (Sphero) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- PhotonPoland
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)United States
Year First Available
- Photon2017
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)2021
Verified Deployments
- Photon0 Deployments
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Photon$215 USD
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)$150 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Photon8 hrs
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)1 hrs
Availability Status
- PhotonACTIVE
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)ACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Max Speed
- Photon0.4 m/s
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)—
Autonomy Level
- Photonsemi-autonomous
- Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)—
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Poland | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2017 | 2021 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $215 USD | $150 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Max Speed (values differ) | 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 | Photon | Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $215 | $150 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,785 | $249,850 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +116179% | +166567% |
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 Photon and Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)?
Photon is made by Photon Entertainment, based in PL. Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) is made by Sphero, based in US.
When were Photon and Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) launched?
Photon launched in 2017. Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) launched in 2021.
How much does Photon cost compared to Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)?
Photon is listed at $215. Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) is listed at $150.
How do Photon and Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) compare on the Robo Index?
Photon grades A on the Robo Index. Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) 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 Photon and Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) 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 Photon and Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit)?
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
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A 90-Day Classroom Robotics Rollout Playbook
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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
Photon vs Sphero indi Robot (Single Unit) 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.