Geckobot is more than just a wall climbing toy. It's an educational, robotic building toy. Made by Thames & Kosmos - well known for their educational toy ranges - Geckobot is an award-winning engineering kit.
Kids can build this robot Gecko using easy-fitting construction pieces that snap together to create a wall-climbing robot lizard that'll walk vertically up smooth surfaces!
How Does Geckobot Work?
This ingenious wall gecko uses a motorized battery-driven air suction function that mimics how a gecko walks in real life. Two feet remain suctioned to a surface while the other two move forward.
It will walk vertically on perfectly smooth surfaces such as glass, whiteboards and gloss surfaced laminates. Geckobot probably won't be as successful on tiling, as he may lose foot suction if his feet go down on the tile grout, but all other smooth surfaces are suitable.
Industrial Arm Robot
Suction Tow Truck
Who will Geckobot appeal to?
The manufacturer's recommended age range is eight to fifteen years. Kids at the lower end of the range might find help from mom or dad helpful, especially if they lack manual skills or don't understand the physics involved.
It will probably appeal to any child familiar with lego. They've only got to look at the pieces to recognize the snap-together type of components used in its construction.
In addition to building a lizard robot, there are six other mechanical building projects possible with this one kit:
Geckobot Projects
How easy is Geckobot to assemble?
The best way to get started is to work on a tabletop with all the pieces sorted into groups.
Children will find the full-color instruction booklet excellent in helping them identify individual pieces and put them together.
If they do get stuck, Thames and Kosmos have posted an instructional video online.
Construction is straightforward, but you will need scissors and a marking pen at the outset. These are needed to cut the airline tubing to the various lengths required and mark each piece's size.
The parts clip together easily. Just follow the step-by-step instructions in the manual, where everything is well explained. There are some troubleshooting tips on pages 14 and 15 if needed.
Construction Tip: The suction element of the toy may need some initial minor adjustments, which is normal. When trying vertical climbing for the first time, either put something soft on the floor beneath the toy to cushion its fall or stand beneath it, ready to catch it.
Inchworm
Ellipsograph
Just a personal child safety note. Bearing in mind that the Geckobot can climb window glass, keep an eye on younger children using windows to play with their toy. If the toy stops out of reach they may try climbing up to retrieve it. Better be safe than sorry...
Geckobot at a glance ...
- Wall climbing robot lizard manufactured by Thames & Kosmos
- Recommended age range: 8 to 15 years.
- 176 piece engineering kit using snap-together construction techniques.
- Kids can buildGeckobot + 6 other models with this kit.
- It uses a motor-driven suction system.
- Dimensions: 14.6 x 3.1 x 11.5 inches.
- Requires 2 x AAA batteries.
- 24-page instruction manual in full-page color.
This wall-climbing robot lizard has only a passing resemblance to a Gecko, but it doesn't matter; he's a great fun toy well presented and readily understood.
Kids will not only build it; they'll play with it and modify it. All of which will teach them about aspects of physics - like air pressure, suction and surface texture - and let them use their imagination.
Geckobot is a great educational toy with plenty of stimulating play value. We like it.