Pololu Tamiya 70198 Wall-Hugging Mouse

The Tamiya 70198 Wall-Hugging Mouse is a delightful and easy-to-assemble robotic kit, perfect for beginners. It features a unique wall-following mechanism using a bump sensor and dual motors, allowing it to navigate along vertical surfaces with ease. The kit includes pre-assembled electronics that snap into place, requiring no soldering, and can be put together in just a few minutes.

Once assembled, this charming robot scuttles along walls in a zig-zag pattern. When its bump sensor touches the wall, the mouse is nudged to the right, and when contact is lost, it veers left, creating a seamless wall-following behavior. This makes it an engaging educational tool for understanding basic robotics principles.

The kit is designed with simplicity in mind, making it accessible for those new to robotics. All necessary electronics, such as motors and switches, are pre-assembled, allowing for a hassle-free setup. The only tool needed is a diagonal cutter, though a modeling knife can be handy for trimming excess plastic.

For added personality, the kit includes stickers for the ears, whiskers, and eyes, though you will need to provide your own paint or marker for the nose. Tamiya suggests using their TS-29 semi-gloss black paint, but a black marker works just as well.

With its dual motor system, the Wall-Hugging Mouse can also be customized for other projects. There's plenty of space on the plastic base to add additional electronics or modify its design to suit your creative ambitions.

Note: This is a kit that requires assembly. An alkaline AA battery is necessary but not included, and the use of NiMH batteries is not recommended. Paint for the mouse's nose is also not included.