Tamiya Bipedal Walking Robot

The Japanese obsession with robots is well documented but what isn't so much is that robots are considered an educational tool and children are encouraged to build them even at elementary school age. And while building a robot from scratch can be very rewarding, building it from a kit like the Tamiya Bipedal Walking Robot allows you to create a much more complicated machine and get a better insight into its structure and operation. Even if its main function is just walking on two legs.

How does it do it? Combining a gearbox with a rotating crank mechanism and slider, the weight of the Tamiya Bipedal Walking Robot shifts from the left to the right to create movement. If you want to make it turn to the left or right, shift the position of the gearbox. If you want to give it the ability to bypass objects, you can add a guide rod. When assembled, the robot is about 85 x 132 x 107 mm (3.3 x 5.2 x 4.2"). The only tools required to build it are a pair of nippers, cutter, Phillips screwdriver, and two AAA batteries!

Specs and Features:

• Powered by Tamiya 130-type motor
• Guide rod for clearing obstacles
• No glue required
• Dimensions (assembled): approx. 85 x 132 x 107 mm (3.3 x 5.2 x 4.2")
• Required tools: nippers, cutter, Phillips screwdriver (L)
• For ages: 14 and up
• Power: 2 AAA batteries (not included)
• Comes with facial expression stickers
• Instructions/manual: Japanese (but see bilingual illustrations)