Automata Overdrive: “Droneuary” brings the best out of LEGO bot builders [Feature]

The LEGO builder calendar is full of traditions that might seem odd to outsiders. August is for frogs, February is for space rovers. January is the month where we renounce our allegiance to humans and celebrate cyber supremacy with drones! The builds of “Droneuary” can take many forms, from bipedal bots to flying probes – the only rule: no meatbag pilots! Maybe it’s all the AI talk in the zeitgeist or nostalgia for Exo-Force, but 2026 turned out to be an amazing year for Droneuary participation. Here are some of our favorites.

Let’s get things started with the most FABULANDOUS drone of the year, that comes courtesy of Gnarlicbread. Seeing the wholesome theme applied to a Devid-style drone is a little terrifying, but the mouse seems okay with it, so maybe those claw hands are for picking fruit and not grabbing friendly critters. The vintage elements aren’t limited to Fabuland; blue railroad tracks are used to give the legs a subtle curve.

Gnarlicbread built a score of amazing drones this year, largely in collaboration with Zakar.ion. They each built several drones themed around Exo-Force. Here is my favorite from Z – a reimagining of the Thunder Fury set from 2006.

entertainingly_lame also joined in with Exo-Force tributes. Here R.3.M.A.E.R.D: short for Registered Engine 3, mechanical and electrical Repair Drone. I love the oversized wrench.

Exoch.i also found inspiration in Ryu’s Exo.Force colors for the Blazing Falcon. Armed with Barraki claws, this drone is ready to scrap.

Exo-Force wasn’t the only theme inspiring builders last month. Urdr on the Dancefloor looked to Power Miners for this spider-like driller drone. Great use of an X-Pod to house the drill bits.

Drones are a frequent subject for the inimitable builder Djokson, but to celebrate the month the builder organized a sub-collab for likeminded creators. For this creation, “lunar orbit,” Djok shows their usual wizardry with unusual parts, like a face made from Infinity Stones left in their sprue, and  a stand built from a DUPLO crane.

Ivan Martynov rolls in on the cusp of Droneuary and Febrovery with an incredible space construction drone on wheels. This one could even work for Marchikoma, so the builder has the first 3 Sci-Fi build events covered in one go!

Ben (Cement Addiction) shares the Unifier, a unique build that evokes a flea with its tiny feet and large mechanical carapace. The pop of red from a DUPLO barrel stands in stark contrast to the cold metal colors of the body.

Sadie‘s Salamander drone also innovates in form by looking to the natural world. With its segmented tail and lower center of gravity, I can picture this metal menace slithering across the battlefield.

This military drone from Aniołka reminds me of the Horizon games in the best way. The betalicc green elements were stripped from a 4×4 Off Roader and have never looked better.

Red Impala is the master of minifig scale drones. After a six month LEGO hiatus, the builder returned this January without missing a step. This wasteland wanderer escorting a drone companion is Red at his best, packing maximum mechanical detail in miniature.

Ryan Z‘s “false whale” is a singular design that mixes rotors and spindly legs with an orca-inspired body.

Umbra-Manis evokes an opulent alternate past by bringing art deco stylings to this gold and sand green tripod drone.

building_after_dark captures the darker side of drones with a military unit towering above a lifeless battlefield where props like a basketball suggest that thing haven’t been going so well for the meatbags.

Drones don’t have to be big builds. The legendary Space builder Pascal turns a handful of common greebly bits into an iconic drone with the use off a printed film reel tile.

realmink.io innovates on the bipedal drone format with these cute and customizable fellas. meatbag minifig legs are cleverly incorporated into the drones’ legs.

constantly.bricked also stuns with this miniature drone on pistol toes that incorporates rubber bands and rangfinders for detail. The pop of g

impactdeficiency calls this piece “doggy dog world,” but I’m getting cat vibes as its paired with those mechanical mice bots. It’s always a delight to see vintage prints and bendy arms in modern sets.

We conclude our celebration of drones with a pair of flying units, starting with this distinctive creation from The Maestro. The builder incorporates fishing poles, a Vidyo band, Insectoid legs, airplane engines, and more for a wonderful silhouette.

Finally, bringing in a touch of magic, we have the Mana Skimmer from LEGO set designer Áron Gerencsér (Pohaturon). This drone reminds me of a Starcraft unit, busily harvesting resources for the war effort.

That concludes our roundup of Droneuary 2026. Now it’s time to welcome the meatbags back to pilot their rovers.

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