Whether you're a kid or an adult with a love for engineering, these HEXBUG automatons should prove to be truck loads of fun. The HEXBUGs aren't like your average RC toys, though. They have been inspired by stream of robotics that does away with complicated electronics. Instead, these self-driven robots employ a clever blend of gears, levers, and linkages with simple electronics and sensors. In short, these robot imitations of assorted creepy crawlies will scurry, crawl, and inch about your room while navigating obstacles on their own. The TechTree labs received the HEXBUG Larva, Spider, and Nano, along with the Nano Habitat set, in addition to the original HEXBUG. Let's see what tricks each one of these has to offer.

HEXBUG Larva
MRP: Rs 525

The marketing blurb describes this as the creepiest autonomous robot in the HEXBUG line-up. And I won't contest the claim. The many high-pitched screams of the ladies in our office stand testimony to the HEXBUG Larva's creepiness. This disturbingly real toy, wiggles its tail realistically to mimic its namesake. The mechanism is pretty simplified. A pair of unbalanced wheels produce swaying motion, whereas the worm-like push-and-pull is achieved by connecting rods attached to the same wheels.



This HEXBUG relies on an elegant single-motor solution and loads of ingenuity to create a realistic larva-esque automaton. Quite brilliant, if you ask me. Like all Hexbugs, this one is powered by three button cells. It's main party trick, however, isn't just realistic motion. Its infrared sensors and tiny microprocessor allows it to avoid and navigate around obstacles as well. This one just isn't creepy, but quite smart to boot. I would say it's fully worth its Rs 525 asking price.

HEXBUG Spider
MRP: Rs 1,300

The HEXBUG Spider isn't your average HEXBUG. Unlike its peers, this one isn't automated. You can actually get your hands dirty and pilot it around the room, or the desk for that matter. That also means you need two extra button cells for the infrared remote, in addition to three for the Spider itself. Unlike a real arachnid, though, this one is two legs short. However, don't let that make you underestimate its potential. While the Larva impresses with its simplicity, the Spider takes a diametrically opposite approach. This six-legged R/C robot has the most complicated means of locomotion I have witnessed in a toy. The number of gears and connecting rods that go into animating its six legs, rival the intricacy of a Swiss-made tourbillon watch.



The design brilliance shines through the way this robot moves about. The Spider sports a 360 degree steering that allows it to change direction sans a minimum turning radius—just like a real spider. The head of the Spider, if you'd call it that, houses the batteries, infrared sensor, and the micro-controller. The whole assembly rotates about the body like a turret. Just point the head in the direction you want to go and press the forward/backward button on the remote and the Spider will trundle along with a strangely satisfying clickety-clack racket of its feet. It's great deal of fun to navigate it between office furniture or the desktop alike. Needless to say, this is my most favourite HEXBUG of the lot by far.

HEXBUG Original
MRP: Rs 400



The cheapest HEXBUG of the lot, and the very first one as well. The Original HEXBUG resembles a beetle and goes about its business on six legs. They are set in motion by an elaborate assembly of connecting rods and gears powered by a single motor. The bug moves about randomly in any direction until its pair of antennae hit an obstacle. This prompts it to back up a bit and change course. That isn't the only way to make the bug course correct. Any loud sound—a clap or a scream—also makes it change direction. Like the others, this one's powered by three button cells as well. Being the first of the lot, this bug isn't as impressive as the others. I would rather pay a hundred odd buck more for the Larva instead.

HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set
MRP: Rs 1400

The HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set is what you get when you let HEXBUGs roll in the hay with a Lego set. This is essentially a set containing HEXBUG Nano robots and a customisable Hive Habitat. The Nano is a tiny automaton that relies on a motor employing flywheel-induced imbalance to create vibrating action. This in turn causes its springy rubber legs to jump about hundreds of times a second and create forward motion. The bug keeps moving forward until it hits a solid obstacle that causes it to course correct. A simple premise that becomes interesting when you pair them with the Hive Habitat Set. The set can be carried around like a suitcase and opens up into mini playground with preset holes arranged in a hexagonal pattern.



This is where the Lego bit comes in. The set ships with various attachments such as see-saws, merry go rounds, pegs, and adjustable flags. All of these slot into the holes in the board and can be arranged to your liking. Then there's a ramp as well for some verticality. My problem with the Nano Hive Habitat Set is that it's a tad too expensive at Rs 1,400. For the price you only get a single Nano bug, which otherwise costs Rs 250. I would have liked the Habitat to be a bit larger with more customisable accessories for better longevity. Because in its current state, it is easy to get bored of the whole shebang in not a very long time.

Tags : Gizmos