Mars Detector

If you've ever "accidentally" caught an episode of Robot Wars and wondered what it would be like to be in control of a seriously powerful "Get outta my way or be destroyed" R/C vehicle without having to grow a beard, purchase an anorak and hang around second-hand lawnmower/motorised wheelchair fetes, then the Mars Detector is definitely for you.

This mad and rowdy R/C machine will quite literally tumble out of any predicament thanks to its innovative cube design and chunky set of (8!) wheels. What's more, it looks like something out of Thunderbirds by way of Power Rangers, and moves more manically than anything you've seen scuttling around the decks of an Imperial StarCruiser.

The clear, funky pyramid-style sides of the Mars Detector help it to correct itself in case of a tumble, and also allow you to see the various cogs and wheels that drive it. You command the action via a simple twin toggle, single button handheld R/C unit, whilst power comes from a highly efficient 9.6V rechargeable Ni Cd battery pack.

Hitting the button on the R/C unit causes the Mars Detector to immediately (and rather violently) change direction. After a little practice, you'll soon have it tumbling relentlessly on the spot, spinning furiously and careering around the office at break neck speed like a bull in a china shop.

The Mars Detector really is one of the most unusual R/C vehicles we've seen, both in terms of playability and design. In fact, we've no idea what mind-altering substances its designers ingested whilst sat at the drawing board, but they've most definitely come up trumps.