Theo Jansen is a renowned Dutch artist best known for his Strandbeest (Dutch for beach animals). These kinetic sculptures are designed to be a fusion of art and engineering. Inspired from nature and bearing an uncanny resemblance to the movement of animals, these mechanisms are built using an array of triangles and connecting links that convert the rotation of an axle into the stepping motion of six or more limbs. Moreover, since these mechanisms mimic the movement of animals, they are far more efficient compared to wheels when operating in sand and on rough terrain.
Designed to mimic the movement of arachnids, this eight-legged spider robot builds upon the ingenuity of the Theo Jansen Mechanism. This system uses a dual motor setup paired to six gears which in turn actuate the eight legs in synchrony. Its remote-control operation enables the operator to control this robot wirelessly. This system also has four 12v LED indicator lights on either side to signal its direction of movement.
