Before there was MAKE and MAKE kits, before there was SparkFun, there was Solarbotics. I’ve followed these guys from nearly day one, have ordered many a part and kit from them over the years, covered them in the tech press, and even worked with them on several projects. I’ve always been impressed with their product and their dedication to it. It’s clear this is a passion for them as much as it is a business. We’re especially excited about their new Herbie the Mousebot kit ($40).

I have a soft spot for the Herbie control circuit (built around the LM386 op-amp chip) because I used it in my “Mousey the Junkbot” project (built from a computer mouse) in my robot book and in the MAKE Vol. 2 Mousey cover project. This Solarbotics “Mousebot” even LOOKS like a mouse (of the biological kind) and the circuit has been tweaked to add two touch “whisker” sensors to the front, a tail touch-switch in the back to help keep Herbie from getting stuck where he doesn’t belong, and an optional tail light circuit (parts included) that will cause one Herbie to chase another. The PCB is available in red (Herbie) black (Horatio), blue (Hamlet), and white (Harriet).

I built the kit last night. It was a really fun project and I’m thrilled with the results. Solarbotics sets the skill level at Beginner and the build time at 2 hours. I agree that the electronics skill required is fairly basic, but overall, I’d peg it closer to an Intermediate-level project (Beginner-Intermediate?). I had some struggles with the body assembly and with installing the whiskers. Nothing major, but besides the kit requiring basic soldering and mechanical assembly skills, it requires a fair amount of patience, at least in getting the body together correctly (which is critical to a successful build) and in installing the whiskers.

If you have an older child who has some experience with soldering and kit building, or you’re such an adult (or your gift recipient is), heck even if you’re a seasoned pro, this is a recommended kit. The result is an extremely cool looking rug-rover that is devilishly fast and furious on the floor and is a “monitor pet” you’ll be proud to show off to your cubicle-mates. With all the touch sensors (each front whisker has two touch points), it really is impressive how infrequently Herbie gets stuck. He’ll blaze through, or bounce off of, nearly any vertical surface in his path: walls, doors, chair legs, you. He’s a maniac. I would love to see how a cat or dog would react. I bet they’d go bananas. Hilarity is bound to ensue.

The original designer of the Herbie circuit is Randy Sargent. Solarbotics is giving the love back to Herbie’s dad by donating a portion of sales to the “KISS Institute for Practical Robotics,” an org that Sargent is associated with, that teaches kids about science, engineering, math, etc.

So, you get an awesome robot, handsome monitor mojo, a lesson in patience, and some of the money goes to a good cause. What’s not to like?

If you want to give the gift of robot mice for Christmas, there’s still time! You can have them 2-day ship your order and it will arrive, as long as orders are placed by Wednesday, Dec. 20. We didn’t say there’s a lot of time…