OWI Kabuto Mushi Robot Kit

by OWI

Product Features

• Infrared remote controlled robot with caterpillar traction
• Control handset has 8 channels, each controls 4 motors
• Creative Child Magazine - Creative Toy Award - Top Toy of The Year Award winner for 2007
• No Soldering Required
• OWI is the premier line of educational robotics kits

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.8 x 8.8 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VZB82I
• Item model number: OWI-8800
• Our recommended age: 10 years and up
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 - 15 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,411 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Kabuto-Mushi (Rhinoceros Beetle) is a RobotiKits Educational Electronic Robot Kit from the OWI OWIKIT Line. Suitable for Ages 10 and Older. This is an infrared remote controlled robot with caterpiller traction. The infrared remote control handset has 8 channels, each controls 4 motors: 2 motors control directional movement (forward, backward, left and right). 1 motor regulates the elevating position of the claw. The 4th motor operates the open and close dimension of the claw. No soldering is required. Learn about: gear structure, battery wiring, motor principle, electronic circuits and circuit block diagrams. Easy to follow instructions are included. Detailed instruction manual with illustrations. Creative Child Magazine - Creative Toy Award - Top Toy of The Year Award winner for 2007. INCLUDES: Parts for 1 Robot (1) PC Board (4) motors (1) Infrared controller. REQUIRES: Diagonal Cutter, Screwdriver, Hobby Knife, Long Nose Pliers (4) AA Batteries, (3) AAA Batteries.

Product Description

Japanese for Rhinoceros Beetle -- The Kabuto-Mushi is similar to robots currently used for rescue missions like earthquake and natural disaster sites where they collect video images of the site. -- Now you can build your own model with eight channels, each one controlling four motors. -- Two motors control directional movement: forward, backward, left and right; one motor regulates the elevating position of the claw; and the fourth motor operates the open and close dimension of the claw. -- The body and remote controlled handset is comprised of an elaborate set of plastic parts, hardware, motors, and circuit boards. -- Little experience and no soldering is required to assemble this solar powered robot using the detailed directions provided. -- When finished, this infrared remote controlled robot with caterpillar traction is 10" x 6 3/4" x 3 1/4" in size. -- Requires four AA and three AAA batteries, not included.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Robot After Tweaking, January 12, 2009

By 

edorff (Torrance, CA United States) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: OWI Kabuto Mushi Robot Kit (Toy)

This is a very nice robot kit with a wonderful IR controller. You can select any one of eight channels to operate on, so you could run eight different robots simultaneously. Never seen that anywhere else! The two drive gearboxes have 3 speeds that can be easily selected for different uses. The instructions are pretty clear, and all the parts are grouped in smaller bags that are used in order of assembly. No soldering, but there are lots of parts; don't mix them up. Dad should plan to help anyone under 13 years old.

My two complaints are:

1) Each plastic motor module has two press-in metal bushings that fall out unless you super-glue them in. They are supposed to be a one-time press-fit, but there's no way they will stay in by themselves. Use superglue BEFORE adding grease and avoid this problem altogether.
2) The clutches on the claw lifter and claw closer modules slip far too easily; you can't pick up anything interesting as delivered. I added a few small washers to compress the clutch springs fully and finally I can pick up a few ounces satisfactorily. It won't pick up a full soda can, so you'll still be walking to the kitchen for your drink.

After these mods, a great remote-controlled robot. Even in spite of that wonderfully odd name, Kabuto Mushi. How about Robot Claw Tank instead?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kabuto Robot, May 9, 2008

By 

S. Fedynyshyn (Boston,MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: OWI Kabuto Mushi Robot Kit (Toy)

I purchased this toy for a science project my son was doing at school.It performed exactly as expected.The instructions for assembling the robot were very clear and it took about two hours to put together.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great kit!, February 10, 2010

By 

BobK (Spokane, WA USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: OWI Kabuto Mushi Robot Kit (Toy)

I was a little overwhelmed with the number of parts this kit contains, but quickly found that it was fairly easy to complete. OWI did a great job with this robot kit. It teaches about gears and ratios, motors and tread drive, as well as Infra Red. Once built, it's a strong little remote control toy that should offer hours of fun. In low gear, it plows its way over obstacles with surprising agility. The instructions might be a little clearer, but they more than suffice. Just read them through once before you actually start assembly and you'll be fine. If this is for a young person, adult supervision is advised due to the large number of parts. It's a great toy and a good addition to anyone's toy box.