In a city as crowded as Tokyo, having a pet can be more of a burden than a privilege. Micro Robotic Creatures and Bandai, however, have come up with a rather technological solution. The palm-sized robotic creatures known as Hex Bugs are not much of a substitution for a dog, but each comes equipped with light and sound sensors, which means you can control their movements with a slap on the table or by clapping your hands.

The crab-like bots can also sense and avoid objects that get in their way, as well as cower in the dark. Collect both the red and blue models, and take them on a walk around your living room.

Available at area department stores and toy retailers. (Laura Hibbard/Metropolis)

7 Comments

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  haytkayokomiya at 04:23 PM JST - 25th August

  Aren't the real one bad enough?

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  Sarge at 04:34 PM JST - 25th August

  "Aren't the real ones bad enough?"

  Yeah, I got a dani bite last night! Grrr! Them bites itch!

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  MrMukatsuku at 05:00 PM JST - 25th August

  Additional Information:

  2,625 yen

  Wow, that's some mark-up! They're advertised for $10 - about 1000yen on the vexrobotics website. Why the disparity?

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  MrMukatsuku at 05:05 PM JST - 25th August

  Scratch my last comment! ($90.88) by UPS Saver - hehe!

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  dany505 at 02:37 PM JST - 26th August

  japanese people are lonely

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  nimbus at 08:06 AM JST - 27th August

  Sorry but they are not kawaii enough.

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  Sagecat at 01:04 AM JST - 30th August

  OMG... must - have - army - of - robot - bugs. I will take over the world. Or, at the very least, have a great time for about an hour.

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