Summer Storage Tips for Your Sphero Robots

Summer is a well-deserved time for teachers to recharge, and your Sphero robots deserve a break, too. After a year of hard work, proper summer storage helps protect their performance and battery life so they’re ready to roll again in the fall.

This guide will walk you through how to clean, power down, and safely store your robots.

Why Proper Storage Is Important

Inside each Sphero robot is a sophisticated lithium-ion battery that can degrade if not stored correctly. Heat, humidity, and improper battery maintenance can shorten lifespan and reduce performance. Proper long-term storage protects your robots and preserves your investment. 

Step 1: Charge Up, Unplug & Power Down 

The first steps in storing your Sphero robots for the summer are charging the batteries to the recommended level, unplugging the equipment, and powering them down.

• indi: Charge the battery to about 70%, turn off the robots, and unplug the charging case for any Class Packs.

• BOLT/BOLT+: Charge the battery to about 70%, fully power down the robots (don’t put them in “Sleep Mode”), and unplug Power Packs.

• RVR/RVR+: Charge the battery to about 70% so it illuminates two LEDs when you press the indicator button. Remove the batteries from your robots. 

By charging the robot batteries to around 70% r, you will still have some charge when you return in the fall. Then, when you’re ready to use them again, you can charge them to 100%. 

Additionally, these general battery tips apply to all Sphero robots:

• Avoid storing batteries fully depleted (0%) or overcharged (100%), as this can negatively impact battery lifespan. 

• Never leave robots plugged into Power Packs or on charging docks all summer. This can contribute to “phantom drain” on the batteries.

Step 2: Cleaning Your Sphero Robots

Before storing your Sphero robots for the summer, thoroughly clean them to remove dirt, dust, and debris. This helps protect the robots and keep your classroom clean. With hands-on learning, Sphero products get touched a lot and spend hours rolling on the floor each day.

Step-by-Step Cleaning:

1. Remove robots from chargers or cradles. 

2. Wipe down outer surfaces with disinfecting wipes (avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners)

3. You can clean more thoroughly for waterproof robots like BOLT or BOLT+, just don’t spray the Power Packs.

4. For Mini, remove and clean the shell separately. Let it dry thoroughly before reassembling.

5. For RVR or RVR+, wipe down parts like roll cages and dev plates.. 

6. Let everything dry completely before charging or storing.

Do you have littleBits or Blueprint Kits? The same steps apply. Wipe them down, let them dry, and store them away.

Step 3. Create a Safe Storage Environment

Where you store your robots is just as important as how you store them. Be mindful of the environment to avoid damaging their sensitive components.

• Ideal temperature: Store the robots in a cool, dry place with temperatures between 32°F and 77°F (0°C to 25°C).

• Avoid heat and sunlight: Keep robots out of direct sunlight, hot cars, or spaces with high humidity. Heat can degrade both batteries and other internal components. 

• Control humidity: To prevent moisture damage, use silica gel packs or dehumidifiers in enclosed storage spaces. 

Step 4. Use Power Packs, Class Packs, or Storage Bins 

It is highly recommended that you keep your Sphero robots in their cases or use a standard storage bin to protect them.

• After charging to the levels mentioned above, close the Power Packs and Class Pack to prevent dust and damage.

• If you have individual robots, consider using a bin with a lid to keep them organized and safe.

• Avoid stacking heavy items on top of stored robots.

Prepare Your Robots for a Strong Start in the Fall

When the school year begins, here’s how to prepare your robots for regular use:

1. Recharge batteries to 100%. 

2. Check for firmware updates in the Sphero Edu App. 

These steps will get your robots classroom-ready without hiccups, setting you and your students up for a year of success.

Help Your Robots Go the Distance

Storing your Sphero robots correctly helps maintain their performance, protects your investment, and ensures a smooth start in the fall. Powering down, cleaning, and creating the right environment now means more creativity, innovation, and uninterrupted learning later.

Need More Help?

If you have questions or need further assistance with storing your Sphero robots, we’ve got you covered. Visit Sphero Support or contact our team for personalized guidance. We're here to make sure you're prepped and ready to start the new school year on the right foot!