The holiday season officially started earlier this week when DMX graced us with an excellent rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Nothing will top that, but the folks at Sphero have something almost as good – dancing robots.

The Sphero company took 28 of its Android/iOS controlled robotic balls, and had them dance to Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo.” The result is an astounding display of light and music that is sure to drag you even further into the jolly abyss that is Christmas.

28 Sphero Holiday Dance: Union Square NYC from Sphero on Vimeo.

Sphero says that the dance routine had to be “written measure by measure.” The large number of robot balls also facilitated the need for four Android smartphones controlling the movements in unison.

The demonstration in Times Square was just part of a larger effort to push Sphero balls into the hands of girls and boys this Christmas. Sphero is obviously a toy, but it can also teach children how to use basic programming skills and get them interested in computer science – a gift that keeps on giving.

Sphero Saves Christmas from Sphero on Vimeo.

[h/t: Droid Life]