The Japanese company Tamiya is better known on this side of the Pacific for its remote control cars and trucks, but the company also has a lesser known line of educational building toys that teach (or terrify) more than thrill. That now includes this robotic centipede that’s based on the i-Centipot robot developed at Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering.
As much as I’m creeped out by the wiggly movements of this robotic centipede (yes, I would definitely crush it under foot if it ever came near me), at the same time I’m impressed by the toy’s inner workings. A single motor powers all of the individual moving segments which are connected with universal joints which are responsible for its snake-like movements.
If you live in Japan you shouldn’t have much trouble hunting down Tamiya’s centipede bot, but those of us in North America might have to harass our local hobby shops to carry the kits as well. You can also visit the Japan Trend Shop which will happily ship this creature all over the world for $50.
[Tamiya via Japan Trend Shop]