Sperry Labs is a Pennsylvania-based firm that designs and develops innovative digital products, including mobile apps, games, IoT technology, and software for smart devices. Pulse 2.0 interview Sperry Labs co-founder Kevin Langdon to learn more.
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Langdon said:
“The other founders and I are parents. We wanted to create a product that encouraged our kids to move, create, and play with others. It took us about a year and a half to go from the initial idea to having the Ball 2 available to consumers.”
Kevin Langdon’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Langdon shared:
“My name is Kevin Langdon. I have started many companies across various industries, but my primary expertise is in software development. Each of our founders is an expert in a different component of the Ball 2 product. Hugh Tompkins is an industrial designer who has made the Ball 2 look great and have incredible durability. Jeremy Rittenhouse is an electrical engineer who developed a low-cost platform that never needs charging. Gord Parke is a physicist who created an engine that ensures we capture every bounce, tap, roll, etc. I built the software and AI platform that allows players to build any game they can imagine. Andrew Brown is the game designer who ensures all that technology stays fun.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Langdon reflected:
“Early on I took a prototype to a local park. I had asked a family that I knew to meet me there, to see what they thought. As the child played with Ball 2, other kids crowded around her to watch. Before long, four or five strangers were all playing with it. Laughing. Running. Encouraging each other. Seeing those kids’ faces light up with joy was the first time I knew we had something really special. Not just a great toy, but one that promotes healthy play.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Langdon explained:
“Ball 2 is a soft, durable foam ball with embedded sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, and a conversational artificial intelligence experience that enables players to create any game that they can imagine. Using simple voice interaction, through a companion app, players can ask Ball 2 to invent a game, change the rules, or make adjustments based on how many people are involved and where they are playing. Unlike traditional video games that center around structured isolated screen play, Ball 2 embraces active, creative, and social play. The technology stays mostly in the background, supporting imagination, movement, and collaboration rather than replacing them.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Langdon acknowledged:
“AI is becoming a bit of a polarizing subject in our culture. Like every technology, it has both advantages and disadvantages. It has been challenging to distance our product from some of AI’s negative elements. We are now creating ways for Ball 2 customers to turn off the AI components of the Ball 2 and still enjoy the product’s other features that promote physical and social play.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Langdon noted:
“Since anyone can create and submit their own games, new games are getting created everyday and can be enjoyed by the entire community. The Ball 2 app is also updated weekly. So we are constantly improving and evolving the product. We are currently very excited about features like support for multiple ball games. New enhanced graphics that players can use in their own games. And more deep learning to enhance the Ball 2’s role in the classroom.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Langdon cited:
“The largest milestone to-date has been getting the first balls into customers’ hands. Now we need to ramp up production and scale everything. We can’t wait until the 2026 Holiday Season. We think the Ball 2 will be the best gift of the year!”
Funding/Revenue
Are you able to discuss funding and/or revenue metrics? Langdon revealed:
“Ball 2 has been bootstrapped entirely by the founders. We didn’t need to raise any outside capital.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Langdon assessed:
“The US toy industry is about $45 billion. We will be very happy capturing a tiny fraction of that market.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Langdon concluded:
“We have made some great friends in the toy industry and are really excited about many new products in 2026. We will be thrilled if any product with a similar mission as ours succeeds. We are also honestly excited when a kid picks up an old-school ball and plays. The competition we are focused on is beating are casual gaming and doom-scrolling social media products. We want to see kids kicking, throwing, spinning, running, and learning.”
