Strandbeest
Latest
ICYMI: A creepy mechanical centaur, flying R2-D2 and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-976485{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-976485, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-976485{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-976485").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The nightmare-like genius of Theo Jansen's Strandbeest inspired a Segway-like inventor to get creepy with personal transport. Comic-Con attendees will of course see R2-D2; but this time, he'll also be flying overhead. And a new 3D-printed robot is inspired by a species of mussel to jump and bounce without breaking.
Strandbeests birthed from 3D printer pop out ready to walk (video)
While designer Theo Jansen's dreams of a race of independently multiplying Strandbeests is more than just a little bit out there, it seems he has found a way to streamline production of the rather fascinating self-propelled creatures. In language that is unique to Jansen's relationship with the things, he explains the impact of 3D printing on the Strandbeest production process as such: "Strandbeests have found a way to multiply by injecting their digital DNA directly into the Shapeways system." The 3D printed versions of his strolling mechanisms, known as Animaris Geneticus Parvus, are now available in the Shapeways store, and require zero post-printing assembly. Check out the video after the break for more of Jansen's eyebrow-lifting take on reality.
Hamster-powered miniature Strandbeest proves that sometimes, cute is a gadget
Sometimes, after a hard day of gadget blogging, you just want to sit down at your terminal and watch a funny, heart-warming video of a hamster running furiously (as they will) in a plastic ball attached to a Strandbeest traveling across a table to the delight of watching children. Right? Video is after the break.