Use the Force to control BB-8

Imagine you’re a Jedi Knight, with a wearable created to help you master the cutest droid in the galaxy using gesturebased controls – and to complete your own Force training

Last Christmas, everyone and their nan went crazy for the little droid that stole the show in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This month, we’re readying ourselves for more of the same, with the release of the Sphero Force Band, a wrist-worn wearable that enables you to operate the BB- 8 app- enabled droid using gesture controls, and to take part in some nifty Jedi Knight training.

Available on its own or as part of a bundle containing the new special-edition Battle-Worn BB-8 Droid (same awesome tech, just with a more distressed, Jakku-appropriate look), the Force Band has a series of cool modes for you to explore.

Droid Control mode, for example, enables you to utilise gesture-based controls to make BB-8 blast forward (to a maximum range of 30 metres away from you), speed up, slow down, turn and face you, look away and more. You can even practise your skills beforehand on a virtual BB-8, via the Force Band smartphone app’s Force Training game.

Once you’ve mastered Droid Control, move on to Combat Training, where the Force Band will make the sound of a lightsaber (Sith and Jedi) or blaster each time you wave your hand around. Ready to master Jedi abilities? Switch to Force Training mode to learn some sweet Jedi moves, directed by BB-8. All that without having to traipse through a dank swamp with Yoda.

Start your adventure to day

To control your existing Sphero BB-8 app-enabled droid, or any other Sphero robot powered by Bluetooth Smart, head to www.firebox.com to purchase the Sphero Force Band (£70). Don’t own a BB-8? Take a look at the special- edition Battle-Worn BB-8 Droid with Force Band (£180).

Got your Force Band? Great! So start using it to control your BB- 8. Attach the band to your wrist to kick things off with some easy moves, including raising or lowering your hand to control speed, or thrusting your hand forward to send the BB-8 racing off (a move called Force Push).

Ready for some slick Jedi Knight training? Using the Force Band in Force Awareness mode, you can detect and collect (via the app) digital Holocrons (Star Wars character cards) that are causing a disturbance in your immediate environment – think of it as Pokémon Go for Star Wars fans. May the Force be with you.