Bristlebots

[AntRoboteer]

I think you'd need a standard DC motor with rpms of about 2000 to get anything like a bristlebot to work myself but I really don't know. You can get cheap vibration motors like these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Pcs-DC-3V- ... 43cbd4279b

[Shakey]

if you used two 30:1 gear motors you might get up enough speed for a decent vibration. invert the direction of one motor and create vibration in the opposite direction on one side and the robot should turn. that's my theory anyway.

You don't get directional control of the brush, it is to do with the way the bristles slope that gives you the direction. Plus you'd want motors hitting the 1000's of RPM

[Hogi]

oh right, so you'd need some means of changing the direction in which the bristles slope.

[Remote-Controlled Dave]

Not necessarily, you could just have forwards and turning. The gliding nature of bristlebots means they are unlikely to need reverse, though the may also just hit the wall and run out of the arena...

[Hogi]

possibly a brushless to provide the vibration and then a servo powered rudder for direction? it would be rubbish but i've considered similar designs before.