We've seen quite a few robots imitating nature — mostly made by scientists in university labs — but what if you could build your own and control it with your smartphone?

STEMI — a play on the acronym STEM, meaning Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — is an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for a hexapod robot that moves like to a spider. Unlike many other commercial robots, however, this one comes in a kit, together with a set of multimedia lessons that helps you assemble it into a working robot.

Although primarily aimed for kids, STEMI is actually quite a capable little thing and will likely be interesting to adults as well. It can perform complex movements, change height, walk in three different, nature-inspired ways, and even dance. You control it with a smartphone app that uses the built-in gyroscopic sensor, letting you control the robot's movement by tilting the phone.

Assembling is half the fun, here. According to the project's homepage, by building the robot you'll learn the basics of 3D modeling, electronics, mobile app coding and Arduino programming.

The STEMI platform is fully Open Access, meaning everyone will be able to freely modify all of its aspects. The founders promised to make the source code, as well as all the blueprints and 3D models free and accessible to everyone.

I've had a chance to try out a STEMI prototype at the Shift Split conference in June 2015. The experience was slightly creepy — it's a spider robot, after all — but also fascinating, with basically every passer-by stopping to see the little guy in action. Interestingly, the prototype had two of its legs shattered (someone had stepped on it after a full day of demos) but it still worked.

The perks for Indiegogo supporters are many, depending on the donated amount, but $235 (shipping cost excluded) is the lowest entry point to actually get a STEMI kit, and for $279 , you'll also get a cover (the project founders claim you'll be able to 3D-print your own custom covers in the future). The campaign, which launched Monday, will be considered funded if it reaches $16,000 in 40 days.