Ugears 3D: Hexapod Explorer

 Are you ready for the coolest crawler available anywhere on the model market? Introducing the Ugears Hexapod Explorer: part insect, part robot, part extraterrestrial rover. Driven by a powerful spring motor, the Hexapod Explorer can walk up to 3 meters on its own legs, without need of an auxiliary or supporting wheel like other models have. The ability to bear its own weight, on the legs alone, allows the Hexapod Explorer to navigate slightly rough terrain, like a planetary rover stepping out of the capsule to explore new worlds. Another amazing feature that makes our walker unique is that the Hexapod Explorer comes with a variable speed dial. You can make your robo-bug creep, crawl, or skitter at any speed you want! When the Hexapod stops walking, pick it up and watch the legs come to life and flail about, just like a real insect, crab or spider would do. It's the stuff of nightmares, or a mechanical model-maker's dreams, depending on one's perspective!

This DIY Hexapod Explorer takes its place as champion walker among Ugears' amazing family of mechanoids, automatons, 3D puzzles, and wooden mechanical marvels. We've created a purely mechanical, wooden walking robot, without electronic components. At Ugears we believe design should be elegant, in every sense of the word—simple, smart, and beautiful to look at. As Theo Jansen has said, "The walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds." We are committed to surprising and delighting our growing base of customers in 85 countries across five continents with designs that have that "Wow!" factor.

The Hexapod Explorer wooden model kit has 388 pieces and features a strong metal spring that powers the robot's walking action, and rubber band foot pads for better traction on smooth surfaces. This DIY model is rated Medium level with an assembly time of approximately 8 hours. The internal spring is wound with a ratchet key located on the belly. With a ratchet mechanism you don't have to hold the key while winding to prevent slippage—potential energy is stored with each twist, without slippage, until the spring is fully loaded. The Hexapod Explorer can traverse rough surfaces and even step over obstacles of 1-2 cm. Crank the model up, set it down, choose the desired speed using the dial on the Hexapod's head, then release the "go" switch at the rear to set the model in motion. You can change speeds at any time, either mid-run or on the next go.