Herbie the Mousebot (Blue)
Description
- Herbie the Mousebot: Blue
- Loves to chase flashlight beams
- Battery power: 9-volt
- Requires tools and soldering
The Solarbotics Herbie the Mousebot (Blue) is a 9-volt battery-powered light-following robot that loves to chase flashlight beams. This little robot is so quick, you have to run to keep up to it.
The Solarbotics Herbie the Mousebot has been enhanced with functional whisker and tail sensors, so it doesn't get stuck in corners or under obstacles while chasing around. If there are several Herbies in the same area, they can be even configured to chase each other.
It comes as a build-it-yourself kit that does not use any microprocessors or programming, all the parts and some excellent documentation will be supplied to put it together. The instructions contain many pictures and simple descriptions to make the building process easy and fun, especially for beginners. Free phone/email technical support to help you to complete your project will be provided.
The Solarbotics Herbie the Mousebot was originally invented by Randy Sargent. It was built from spare parts as an entry for a robot competition. It is such an elegant, clever design using very few parts, it's been featured as a construction project in "MAKE" Magazine.

A portion of each sale is donated to the "KISS Institute for Practical Robotics", a not-for-profit organization that uses educational robotics programs to actively engage students in science, technology, engineering, math and project management. This is an organization Randy (Herbie's "Dad") is involved with.
- 1x Herbie the Mousebot (Blue)
- Soldering Required: Yes
- Tools Required: Yes
- Kit Difficulty: 3/5
- Kit Completion Time: 2 hrs
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Refund Policy
If you are not satisfied with a product purchased from the Site, you may request a return within 30 days from the delivery date, unless the product is listed under the Return Exceptions below or is subject to specific return conditions noted on the product page.
This return policy also applies, as a minimum standard, to products sold and fulfilled by third-party vendors through the Marketplace.
Please review the Return Conditions, Return Exceptions and the process on How to Request a Return Authorization (RA) before initiating a return request.
Returns under this policy concern non-defective products. In the case of a confirmed manufacturing defect, remedies are handled under the Warranty terms, at the Vendor's discretion. See the Warranty section.
Return Conditions
To qualify for a refund under the 30-day return policy, all of the following conditions must be met:
- A valid Return Authorization (RA) number must be obtained prior to returning the product. Returns without an RA number will be refused.
- The RA number is valid for 30 days. The returned item must be received within that period.
- The RA number must be included with the return.
- Products must be returned in unused, unmodified condition (e.g., no scratches, alterations, missing parts, or signs of installation/use) and in their original packaging, suitable for resale.
- Shipping fees are non-refundable. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer, except in cases of a product confirmed defective through RobotShop's troubleshooting process or of a verified shipping error by RobotShop.
- Refunds are processed within 7 days after receipt and inspection of the returned item.
- A $100 cleaning fee may apply to domestic robots returned in used or unclean condition.
- A 20% restocking fee may apply to large-quantity returns of items ordered specifically for the customer from the manufacturer or not part of RobotShop's standard inventory.
Return Exceptions
The following products are not eligible for return or refund under this policy:
- Used, damaged, or modified products — Items that show signs of use, wear, or alteration, making them unsuitable for resale.
- Consumables — Use and wear-and-tear components, altered or depleted through use (e.g., batteries, belts, brushes, gears, filament, tires, disposable bags, lubricants, greases, waxes, etc.). Not eligible for return once opened or used.
- Perishables — Goods liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly. Not eligible for return.
- Sealed goods (health or hygiene) — Items sealed for health-protection or hygiene reasons (e.g., masks, gloves, odor-absorbing products). Not eligible for return once unsealed.
- Build-it-yourself products and items requiring customer assembly — Including robots & kits, robot parts, and other products requiring assembly or soldering. Not eligible for return once assembled, soldered, or installed.
- Digital Goods, Software, and Apps — Final sale only, due to licensing restrictions.
- Clearance Items — Products identified as clearance or final sale, including end-of-life or discontinued items.
- Custom-made, personalized, or special-order items — Products manufactured, configured, adapted, or built to the customer's own specifications and requirements.
- On-Demand Items — Standard catalogue products not stocked by RobotShop and ordered specifically to fulfill a customer request.
- Professional & Specialized Equipment — See the Professional & Specialized Equipment Warranty page and Professional & Institutional Buyers (B2B) section in the Terms & Conditions.
How to Request a Return Authorization (RA)
While the same return policy applies, these orders require a separate contact process for returns.
- RobotShop Fulfilled Orders → submit a support ticket from your account under My Support Tickets.
- Marketplace Vendor Orders → submit a ticket from your account under My Marketplace Tickets to contact the vendor directly.
Note: Marketplace vendor products are normally labelled with SKUs starting with RM, and identified on the product page with the mention "Sold and fulfilled by [Vendor Name]".