Crabfu’s rodent-powered Jansen walker

Robotics
Crabfu’s rodent-powered Jansen walker



A couple of weeks ago, we posted about our pal I-Wei (Crabfu) being featured in the latest Gakken magazine/kit dedicated to kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest walker. I-Wei built the mini walker kit and was pretty pleased with it. But his maker heart remained restless. He could make it better, faster, stronger… rodent-powered?

And so, after some modifications involving a hamster ball, mounting brackets, and a Meccano sprocket and chain, the tightly-wound hamster, Princess, was borrowed from a friend and press-ganged into service. The result is the ominous Jansen Hamster Walker. Go Princess, go!

Next step: weaponizing the platform. I kid, I KID. Princess the rodent-walker hybrid is a lover, not a fighter. For now.

Hamster Powered Walker

12 thoughts on “Crabfu’s rodent-powered Jansen walker

  1. Anonymous says:

    Hm…Very cool. Why is it everyones posts start out the same: “Crabfu’s rodent-powered Jansen walker: A couple of weeks ago, we posted about our pal” It would appear that I-Wei has a huge flock….

    Really cool power source !! Now if I can harness that for my car…I can be free from gas….wait maybe not.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Hm…Very cool. Why is it everyones posts start out the same: “Crabfu’s rodent-powered Jansen walker: A couple of weeks ago, we posted about our pal” It would appear that I-Wei has a huge flock….

    Really cool power source !! Now if I can harness that for my car…I can be free from gas….wait maybe not.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Hm…Very cool. Why is it everyones posts start out the same: “Crabfu’s rodent-powered Jansen walker: A couple of weeks ago, we posted about our pal” It would appear that I-Wei has a huge flock….

    Really cool power source !! Now if I can harness that for my car…I can be free from gas….wait maybe not.

  4. Ava Readdy says:

    What genius. You are onto something huge here for rodent lovers worldwide. We have a Prairie Dog who spends hours roaming the house in her ‘ball’ and would be absolutely drunk with happiness and new found power if she had a vehicle like this. She’s a pound and would need a bigger ball though. Could it be done? I’d gladly pay you to build one for her. Up for a challenge?
    dataqwik@olypen.com

  5. 카나가와 키네틱 커피 테이블 | Make: Korea says:

    […] 크랩푸(Crabfu)의 쥐가 움직이는 얀센 기계 […]

  6. adamvan2000 says:

    All Hail our hamster Overlords! Now we will usher in an era of Hamster Balls and Terror!

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Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

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