Gakutensoku (å¸å¤©å‰‡, Japanese for "learning from the laws of nature"), the first robot to be built in Japan, was created in Osaka in 1928. The robot was designed and manufactured by biologist and botanist Makoto Nishimura (1883-1956). Nishimura had served as a professor at Hokkaido Imperial University, studied Marimo and was an editorial adviser to …
Read More “1928 – “Gakutensoku” Pneumatic Writing Robot – Makoto Nishimura (Japanese)”
Six Legged Bicycle This piece is built to ride like a bicycle, but pedaling walks the six legs, instead of turning wheels, for forward motion. Somewhere between riding a bicycle and a horse. See video here Fabrication: Pete Beeman Engineering: Pete Beeman Date: 2000 Dimensions: 5' deep, 4' wide, 4' high Materials: aluminum, steel, wood, mechanics. [Source: All pictures and text from Pete …
Read More “2000 – Six Legged Bicycle – Pete Beeman (American)”
Iron Stallion (Pedal Horse) Carter's linkages remind me somewhat of Alzetta's 1933 horse. Longer legs, a more powerful motor, lower centre of gravity, steering and one could ride this machine bicycle-like. You start and stop with the person's feet touching the surface of the road. The ride would be a bit bumpy but swift – something …
Read More “2011 – “Iron Stallion” and other Mechanical Walking Machines – Carter Sharer (American)”
2003 – Robo-Donkey – Christiaan Zwanikken (Netherlands-born) Robotic donkey drives ancient Islamic irrigation system Robotic Donkey drives Moorish water wheel from christiaan zwanikken on Vimeo. Donkey work [Source here] It is an ambitious project to reconstruct all the original features of an irrigation system that, 400 years ago, watered a 4 hectare monastery garden. To …
Read More “2003 – Robo-Donkey – Christiaan Zwanikken (Dutch-Portugese)”
CSERNY Márton Márton is from Budapest, Hungary. His human-powered walking machine is novel in that the front legs do not pull the cart, but are pushed by the pedals, chain and sprocket. The pedaling action also rocks the 'hip', which raises and swings each free-swinging leg in turn. Video Akció a "Lépegeto gép"-pel / action …
Read More “1993 – Human-Powered Walking Machine – CSERNY Márton (Hungarian)”