Hexapod

It often seems that soon after a new type of scientific or industrial robot is unveiled, a hobbyist model follows. First, there were the Bittle and Mini Pupper miniature quadrupeds – now, there's the XR R1 hexapod.

One of the main proposed uses for legged robots is the exploration of disaster sites. In order to walk across all that rubble, though, they would definitely need to be sure-footed – which is where new coffee-filled robot feet are designed to come in.

We've seen huge strides in the development of big walking bots, small rollers and shape-changing drones, but Robugtix sees a gap in the market for something that slots inbetween. Its new Z6 robot is small enough to fit in a backpack but capable enough to carry cargo and perform on-site tasks.​

Ez-Robot, a small company based in Calgary, Canada, has introduced its "Revolution" line of robots with modular parts, easy-to-use features, and snap-together mechanics. The line is made up of three new robot kits: a humanoid two legged walker, a spider, and a rover.

What good is a robot if, when left to its own devices, it breaks down at the first sign of trouble? That's the thinking behind this hexapod robot which can work out how best to adjust its gait in the unfortunate event that it loses a leg.

Robugtix will start scaring arachnophobes everywhere when it releases its T8 robot later this year.

Researchers at the Harvard Microrobotics Lab have created insect-sized robots that can run and operate on their own power source.

Mantis is an enormous hexapod robot built in the UK by Matt Denton of Micromagic Systems.

A pair of robots may one day help explore craters on the Moon in search of water ice.

Some industrious lads at Mad Lab Industries have combined a hexacopter and a hexapod to create a hybrid that walks and flies.