Invasion of the Bristlebots (Klutz)

Pat Murphy (Editor), Scientists of Klutz Labs (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Invasion of the Bristlebots comes with two mini-robots — basically motorized toothbrush heads. These guys zoom around like caffeinated cockroaches, spinning, skittering, and bouncing off walls. Resistance is futile. The book bristles with ideas for robot games and activities. Race robots against each other. Use the included punch-out walls to construct a Bristlebot maze. Stage a robot sumo-wrestling match. You can even customize your Bots with the provided wire legs, feelers, and beady eyes. And just when you thought the robot invasion was under control, stick the tiny motors (technical name: Klutz Robotivators) on any lightweight contraptions of your own design to make pipe cleaner Bots, plastic fork Bots, paper clip Bots — basically, whatever-you’ve-got Bots. On YouTube, dedicated tinkerers show off motorized toothbrush heads that are pretty darned impressive. Researchers at Klutz Laboratories (the folks who brought you Battery Science and LEGO Crazy Action Contraptions) have sacrificed countless toothbrushes to develop high-performance Bristlebots with more zip, wilder action, and a control that lets you adjust a Bot’s behavior. It’s a brand-new Botastic world.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Spiral-bound: 40 pages
• Publisher: Klutz; Spi edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591746434
• ISBN-13: 978-1591746430
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #157,162 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Building robots, June 20, 2009

By	C. Towles (Winston-Salem, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At first only one of the bristlebots worked. After trying some spare batteries with no luck I noticed the motor was encased in rubber. I used the jeweler's screwdriver to push the rubber encasement down in order to make the metal prongs connect to the motor inside. After that it worked fine.
My 5 year old bought this for me for father's day :) but couldn't wait another day to give it to me. We opened it and he really enjoyed making his bristlebot into a scorpion. He's having (we're having) fun finding new things to make robots using cards, wires, and anything light. Some things don't work well as robot pieces, but he's having fun trying it out.
I'd have given it a 5 if it would have worked right out of the package. So the rating of 4 is a balance of how we enjoy it and having to figure out how to fix it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointing bristlebots, October 29, 2009

By	M. McConnell (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Only one bristlebot worked out of the package. Neither switch worked correctly after I took out the batteries, tested them with a multimeter (they were AOK) and re-assembled the bots.

Then, upon looking for help on the internet, I realized that Klutz stole the concept from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories! No credit is given anywhere in the materials that I could see.

As a subscriber to Make Magazine and a supporter of the Maker Community, I'm very sorry I bought the product. Shame on you Klutz. And though I've always liked your products-- no more recommendations for you in my teacher workshops!

5.0 out of 5 stars great gift idea, February 4, 2010

By	Deborah Barandiaran "Deborah" (Portsmouth, RI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

We were trying to find a gift for a Secret Santa. This was perfect! It works for a girl or boy and covers a range of ages!