Thames & KosmosThe Amazing Tightrope-Walking Gyrobot STEM Experiment Kit | Build a Robot that Walks on Narrow Surfaces | 8 Experiments with Gyroscopic Forces | Includes Parts to Build Tightrope Setup

This is a great concept and my grandson loved it. Very fascinating to watch it work and walk.However, a couple of issues showed up and eventually destroyed the Gyro. First is that there seems to build a slow resonance in the unit as it balances. Eventually, this resonance builds to the point that the Gyro will fall. You can continue to offset that imbalance, but it will continue to rebuild.Another reviewer suggested to keep this on the floor during all tricks. That is a definite. We had been playing up on a large table when the Gyro stumbled and fell to the floor. It cried like a wounded creature as it slowly wound down. We disassembled it and found that the ring mass that is the heart of the Gyro had broken from its mounting. The mounting is plastic and between the shaft that it spins on and the mass are several plastic fins similar to turbine blades. They connect the mass to the shaft mount and may act as a fan to cool the motor. All of this is one molded unit. Doing some careful reassembly and serious supergluing, we had the Gyro back together and spinning just fine. But..... a small fall broke all of the repairs. Its dead.So, a bit expensive an education for a two week science lesson. He learned about Gyros, but their fun is gone. Ill try to find one of the gyro tops I used to play with 60 years ago when I was a kid. Simple. Showed the principles. Lasted.

I could not make the rope walking experiment to work at all. The robot's gear train needs to be redesigned so that it can walk "faster". This gyroscope can also use up the AAA batteries quickly - only about 15-20 minutes of play with a fresh set of batteries.

It's not like I'd expect. It's truly simple. If looking for something more educational, as to making something look elsewhere. It's a simplistic build and not very helpful in the design of the components.

My son was so excited about this that he started right away. Step 1 is putting batteries in. He couldn't get the screw out to open the compartment, and my husband and I couldn't get it either after that. We ended up having to drill it out. I'm not sure if that caused problems or what, but the robot walks maybe halfway across the tightrope before falling off. Definitely use it on the floor so it doesn't fall off the rope then the table. The structure that holds the tightrope is not strong enough to support the tightness of the rope to hold the weight of the robot. Disappointed overall, but we have to question whether the screw issue may have caused problems.

Good toy fun easy to use

My 8 and 10 yr olds love it. Fun STEM project

Value of price spent vs hours of enjoyment is fabulous. Fun AND educational. I’ll be buying more of this brand.

My 7 year old LO loves this toy! The fact you get to build and then learn about the science of a gyroscope is fantastic! The instructions are easy to follow and it looks great! More durable than I thought it would be.

ok but fiddly and unreliable and son got bored with it very quickly