I was just pointed to
this video and
this video by a friend. I was so fascinated that think that I stopped breathing while I was watching it.
Theo Jansen's work is incredible. Is it art? Engineering? Science? All of the above? I have no idea, and am not sure I care. I just know it is incredibly cool and exciting to watch. I want to see it, watch it work, witness the monkey-link action, and be mesmerized by the fluid motion as it moves over the sand.
If you want to see how the mechanism works, there are several links to videos that explain the motion. The walking linkage is amazing. But first, just watch the "creatures" walk around, and enjoy them. They are just too cool to pass by quickly. There is a
great interview with him from the Ars Electronica Festival.
I want to go home and start building one. I wonder if I can make one out of VEX parts...
-dave