Our buds over at Solarbotics have released a nifty new kit, called the Turbot (US$60). As BEAM enthusiasts know, a turbot is a relatively primitive, (often) tetrahedron-shaped bot that lumbers around on (usually) two long, twisting arms. While many turbots are rather brutish, persistently “attacking” other bots (or your foot), the Solarbotics Turbot has added a motor stall detector circuit, so the bot will back off and go on about its stone-age business after a few seconds of flailing against your Chuck Taylors.
Dave at Solarbotics was kind enough to send Street Tech a review copy of the Turbot and we plan on a full review as soon as we have the critter built. I’m excited about this kit after having built the Solarbotics Sumovore for a review in the latest issue of Make (No. 4). That kit was first rate and really fun to put together, so I expect the same from this one.