Hexbugs from
Innovation First are autonomous, high-speed micro robotic creatures.
The Hexbug Ant
includes probing, tactile antennas and hooked claws. The critter
features front and rear sensors that allow it to maneuver around objects
in its path and wheel legs that propel it forwards, backwards and over
small obstacles with speed. Each Hexbug Ant has an inner body that
includes robotic intelligence which is protected by a hard, transparent
exoskeleton casing. Hexbug Ants also include a button cell
battery.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY RATINGS
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Like the other Hexbug creatures, the
Hexbug Ant is so easy that they don't even have to include
instructions! The kids and adults just pulled the
ant out of its packaging, turned him (or her!) on - and
away he ran. |
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Our kids only ran into one problem
when it came to durability with the Hexbug Ant - after
running into numerous objects one of the antennae became
displaced - all it took was a dad to get it back in
working order and it was off again! Again, similar
to the other Hexbug creatures, the Ant is remarkably
small - so, keeping track of it may prove to be
difficult (ours ran under a couple couches during
testing - but found his way out!). |
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Cute in their own way - but our
reviewers couldn't find a "wow" factor when it came to
the Visual Appeal category. The wheel legs are
certainly unique, but not necessarily something that
makes the Hexbug Ant visually appealing. |
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The Hexbug Ant does what's intended
- it definitely achieves the billing of a "high-speed
creature". While the toy is intended for those
much older - under supervision our youngest kids
actually enjoyed it quite a bit more - there was quite a
bit of chasing and laughing around the room. The
Hexbug Ant was faster than many of our little (human)
legs could go! However, while it did function as
expected, it's really doesn't have any other functional
value, so our review team determined a max of three
stars in this category. |
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Our panel sees this product as an
impulse grab on the way out of a store - something that
would make sense to add on to a gift. So, at just
under $10, it was a little more than their "impulse"
would say a resounding yes to! |
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Our panel agreed that even though
some of them have seen Innovation First's Hexbugs before
- they still find them to be a unique product on the
market. |
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Need to wear your little one out
and want something for him to chase around the
house? The Hexbug Ant just might do the trick (with
supervision, of course). An interesting twist
on the original Hexbug products! |
