Gravity Bugs - Free-Climbing MicroBot (550034)

Thank you for choosing Thames & Kosmos and for your interest in our Gravity Bugs - Free-Climbing MicroBot kit.

Here is some troubleshooting we recommend if your Gravity Bug is experiencing issues walking.

First, make sure that all burrs have been completely removed, either with a pair of close cutters, a nail clipper, or a nail file. Burrs are pieces leftover from removing the parts from the frame that will cause resistance, preventing the gears from rotating freely. This can cause them to come out of alignment, or worse, cause the gears to file each other down.

Next, make sure that the screws that are holding the suction cup assembly together are completely screwed in.

Now, make sure the tool and gears are pressed all the way down. Because it is essential that everything is lined up perfectly so that your Gravity Bug suctions and released at just the right time, you have to use the alignment tool.

When snapping the two halves of the Gravity Bug together, they should click into place without applying any excess force. If you have to use force to get them to attach to one another, it means your gears are out of alignment.

Before tightening everything, try the Gravity Bug without the legs to make sure everything rotates. If that is successful and you don’t see or hear any resistance, try it with the legs in place. If the legs get stuck, it means the gears are not aligned.

Next, wipe down the surface the Gravity Bug will be walking on using a cleaner (like Windex). Make sure the surface is completely dry once you’ve wiped it down. Then, cut a new piece of paper towel in half and dampen one-half of it with water and wipe down the Gravity Bug’s suction cups. Then use the other half to dry the suction cups. (You don't want to use any chemical cleaners on the suction cups themselves.)

You can also try adding a small drop of olive oil between the body and each of the rotors (pointed out in the image below). This will allow the gears to move more freely.

If you continue to experience the same issue, please email support@thamesandkosmos.com.  Along with your message, please include the following details:

- Your mailing address

- Additional details of what you're experiencing: 

- What is it doing / not doing?

- What kind of troubleshooting have you tried already?

The Thames & Kosmos Technical Support Team