Tamiya 71103 Mechanical Beetle Obstacle-Avoiding STEM Kit  [71103]

Tamiya 71103 Mechanical Beetle - Obstacle-Avoiding Walker

The Tamiya 71103 Mechanical Beetle is aimed at young makers who want to learn hands-on engineering basics. As part of Tamiya's STEM collection, it pairs a simple motor and gearbox with visible parts so learners can observe cause and effect while the model navigates around barriers.

Walking Action and Visuals

Inspired by a beetle, the chassis uses a legged walking motion and a swinging horn to propel itself. On contact with obstacles the mechanism adjusts the walking direction to avoid the blockage. Clear components on the horn and legs make the internal gearing easy to examine.

Assembly Notes and Features

The kit assembles with screws alongside snap-lock pieces to keep the build accessible. Wires are pre-marked to help correct electrical hookup. Two gearbox speeds are provided to choose from during assembly, and a reverse switch lets the model move back if required.

Operation Tips

Run the beetle on level, even surfaces for best results. Placing the model inside a bounded area makes its avoidance behaviour simple to observe. Do not run on steep or uneven ground to avoid motor strain or missteps.