HEXBUG Nano | Robot Insect Toy & Habitat

On a sponsored event by the Wyoming Tribute Eagle paper called "kid tested, kid approved" event 300 toys were played with, tested, and ranked.


The toy that ranked number one, being the most popular toy of all 300 was the Hexbug Micro Robotic Creature.

The Nano has also been voted the #2 holiday gift in this year's ToysRUs Online Audit.

To me even more convincing is that my nephews play with them every day. The two little rascals are bored pretty quickly and them still playing with the bugs is really amazing to me. The thing my nephews especially like is that they 'keep trying to escape!' Retrieving the insects from under the furniture or between all kinds of other spaces is what they really enjoy. They seem alive to them. For them and me this is the toy of the year already.

• they are fast
• they are unstoppable
• they behave like real insects
• multiple Nano's act like an intelligent collective system
• they can turn over when on their back
• they are educational (especially in combination with the website)
• they are robots!

The HEXBUG Nano is a little 12-legged robot insect toy with an embedded sensor that reacts to the environment around it. This way it can react to noise, light and touch.

This nifty toy is suitable for children of age 3 and up and retail price is $7.99. They come in 5 colors and batteries are included. (They run for 2-4 hours on a battery, more info on where to buy batteries below )

The micro robotic creatures seem intelligent too. Their small appearance and energetic behavior allows them to flip from their backs and figure out any maze. (the Nano is the first Hexbug with that ability) When multiple Nano's are combined this intelligence really looks convincing. That, to me, is on of the unique aspects of this type of toy. The Nano uses robotic intelligence and the physics of vibration to explore its environment on smooth surfaces.

At this moment there is the Newton Collection, which includes 5 series: Gravity, Orbit, Motion, Calculus and Refraction.

Then each series includes five individual bugs, some of which are common while others are very rare. These rare Nano's will be in great demand by collectors because they represent a high point value.

There are also Mutations which are extremely rare bugs, which will appear from time to time.

At first they were only available at Toys R Us and Radioshack but now also on Amazon, eBay and the HEXBUG website.

In total 5 collections of the Nanos will be released of which each will be named after a world renowned scientist. The first and now available collection is called the Newton Collection.

Each collection includes 5 series with names based on the collection theme. In case of the Newton collection the five series are Gravity, Orbit, Motion, Calculus and Refraction.

Photo Sir Isaac Newton by Globalphilosophy | Wikimedia Commons

"a tiny, 1.75 inch energetic micro robotic bug that uses the physics of vibration and robotic intelligence to skitter along and explore its environment on smooth surfaces."

Joel Carter, vice president, marketing of the Innovation First International company:

"HEXBUG Nano fascinates children and adults alike with its lifelike behavior while it exposes them to concepts such as cause-and-effect, momentum, center of gravity and randomness,"

"The Nano is also the first generation of HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures that is collectible and extends the user experience online with a world that reinforces the fun and fascination behind science and discovery through a variety of online challenges and game-play."

courtesy picture: hexbug.com

The artificial bug has a little motor that rotates a counterweight which causes momentum (a force up and down repeated several hundred times per second). The downward force causes the legs to bend which makes the Nano move forward. The upward force results in a lifting of the front legs off the ground and allowing the legs to unbend. This process makes the Nano hop.

The rotating forces caused by the motor and the unique internal and external chassis design allow the HEXBUG to flip over when it's on its back.

The HEXBUG Nano is the most simplified variant of all the HEXBUG robots. In my opinion this is what gives it its charm. Of course it is great that children can learn about science when they join the online community. Also the fact that some of the unique serial numbers are scarce adds a surprise to the concept. But what is even more appealing is the artificial intelligence of these man made insects.

The attraction lies in the idea of less is more. One HEXBUG Nano is pretty cool. But a whole bunch of them makes an even more intelligent collective system because they interact. Like a swarm of birds or a ant colony forming a united organism.

Although still very limited these tiny robots are one of the first commercially available artificial intelligent systems. (Well maybe this is a little wishful thinking from my side but you'll get my point)

To me the Nano is a pioneer in robotic toys and maybe robotics as a whole. Many simple robots working together is what might already be a trend in the robot industry. Especially when the distinctive robots will be able to learn from each other. (something which is already reality in laboratory) But for now the HEXBUG Nano provides so much fun that in a blink we will look up and notice the next level, even more charming, bots will announce itself.