The toy bots that his team used are a type of small robot called bristlebots. They feature tiny, flexible legs and a vibrating internal motor that drives their insectile motion.

The Hexbug Spider is a neat little robot toy available at just about any Target or Walmart for about $20. With a few extra parts, though, it can become a vastly more powerful robotics platform ...

The Hexbug Spider is a neat little robot toy available at just about any Target or Walmart for about $20. With a few extra parts, though, it can become a vastly more powerful robotics platform ...