HEXBUG is a brand of infrared and automaton toys developed and distributed by Spin Master Inc. . HEXBUG uses many elements used in BEAM robotics. First piloted in the US through RadioShack, HEXBUG is now sold in most major retail stores. The original HEXBUGs are based on six-legged arthropods but now come in several different varieties. The name "HEXBUG" relates to the six-sided packaging it is sold in, rather than to its number of legs.
History
HEXBUG was founded in 2007 in Greenville, Texas, by Innovation First International, Inc., a company that was founded in 1996 developing small-scale robotic products, mostly for FIRST Robotics Competition. HEXBUG was designed to expand the company's presence in the retail toy market, as well as add to the experience created by VEX Robotics, a subsidiary brand of Innovation First International, Inc. that specializes in robotics built in a fashion similar to Erector Sets, and Rack Solutions, which is an engineering firm that specializes in information technology products. In 2023, HEXBUG was acquired by Spin Master, meaning Innovation First no longer has anything to do with HEXBUG.
Some products of HEXBUG have been sold abroad, such as in Japan by toymaker Bandai. The packaging in these international versions differs slightly, as the HEXBUG logo is blue instead of its signature orange and grey appearance, but the products still retain their signature hexagonal packaging.
Various product lines have been sold under the HEXBUG name, such as the nano, BattleBots, Micro Titans, Mechanicals, HEXMODS, JunkBots, and MoBots series. Additionally, separate products, such as cat toys and board games have been released.
Products
Note that these HEXBUGs listed are not every single one of them, just some of the more important ones.
Original
The Original HEXBUG model is a toy that reacts to loud sounds and pressure on its antennae and scurries around the room. Designed after a beetle, it was available in five different shapes and colors: Alpha (orange), Bravo (green), Charlie (blue), Delta (yellow), and Echo (red). The toy debuted in 2007 at RadioShack stores. A similar redesign would be introduced later, fittingly called the "Beetle".
Inchworm
The Inchworm was the first IR controlled mechanical bug, which utilized a remote that allowed free motion about its center and inched around with two sets of legs, hence the "inchworm". The Inchworm came in five colors: Green, Red, Indigo, Black, and Plum. The Inchworm also debuted in Fall 2008 along with the Crab. Despite being called an Inchworm, this product only resembles the Inchworm in the fact that it inches around; visually, there is no resemblance.
Ant
The Ant is a 6-cm (2.3-inches) long micro robotic insect that has front and rear touch sensors that allow it to maneuver around objects in its path, while its wheel-legs enable the robotic ant to move around ten times faster than any previous HEXBUG robot. It was released in April 2009hexbug_ant.jpg
Beetle (hi-tech Beetle) The hi-tech HEXBUG Beetle, a micro robotic creature, will travel in a straight line until it hits an object in its path or hears a loud noise. Upon contact or noise, the bug reverses in a half circle, then moves forward in a new direction. Featuring bump sensor feelers, it crawls and senses objects. It is available in multiple colors and comes with two batteries. It is suitable for children eight years of age and older.
Spider
The Spider is a remote-controlled hexapod robot able to change direction by its head rotation. The head presses the leg joints into moving forward in the direction where the head is pointed. It is powered by three replaceable LR44 (AG13) Button cell batteries.
Battle Spider 1.0
The Battle Spider is a variant of the Spider. Equipped with an LED light and sensor, it can engage in laser-tag battle. Unlike the standard Spider and the Battle Spider 2.0, the first edition of the Battle Spider can only move forward. It is powered by three replaceable LR44 (AG13) batteries.
Battle Spider 2.0
The Battle Spider 2.0 is a revised edition of the Battle Spider. It can walk backwards like the original Spider and is powered by three replaceable LR44 (AG13) batteries.
Scarab
The Scarab is a fast-moving mechanical robot made to resemble a beetle with six legs. Its movement is autonomous and random, reacting to obstacles with a rapid change in direction. The Scarab automatically will return to its feet if it is upside-down. Internal gears and motors are visible through its translucent shell. It is powered by three replaceable LR44 (AG13) batteries.