It’s likely you’ve heard of the Strandbeests โ or at least seen the crawling, leggy, wind-powered mechanical figures around the web. But you still probably haven’t heard their whole backstory.
Izzy Swan designed a walking machine that is powered by a drill and can be ridden like a Segway, but has legs like Jansen’s Strandbeest.
โLetโs build something creepy, Dadโฆโ, my teenage daughters said. We had no idea this creepy crawly creature would utilize our machining skills to the fullest.
Jason “True Dimensions” Allemann built this motorized Theo Janssen-style strandbeest walking robot, but evoking a cool steampunk style! I love all the little details on the deck like the tiny herd of goats to the ratty shack teetering on one corner. Jason has the building instructions on his website.
Singapore Lego builder Lee Ping Ng’s strandbeest scuttles very lobsterlike. And it has personality as well!
I love this mini doc about artist Theo Jansen and his work, filmed by Salazar for Red Bull Media House. Coolly, it sounds like the creators searched through the MAKE site as part of their research. What can we say, we love our Theo! More: Strandbeest kits in the Maker Shed!
Metro Diverse Services is a 3-person team specializing in unique fabrication projects for monumental art and architectural and landscape decoration. They were one of two mechanical spiders featured at this year’s Vancouver Mini Maker Faire in June, the other being the Mondo Spider, built by eatART Foundation.
