Building Motion: How Machines Walk, Glide, and Move

About Course

People have always been fascinated by motion—how robots, animals, and machines move in such precise and lifelike ways. While advanced robotics use complex systems to replicate walking, there’s another way: ingenious mechanical design. By cleverly arranging shapes and linkages, we can create movement that mimics living creatures—no electronics needed! One of the most mind-blowing examples of this is the Strandbeest—a massive, wind-powered skeleton made of PVC tubes, wood, and zip ties that walks across beaches like a living creature.

Created by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, these mesmerizing kinetic sculptures have been roaming beaches worldwide for over 35 years, showcasing the incredible power of mechanical movement. But how do they work? And how can we use similar ideas to build our own moving machines?

In our free online masterclass, we invite you to delve into the fascinating world of mechanical movement. Guided by our super fun mentor Rupin Chheda, a passionate engineer and inventor, you’ll explore how basic shapes like triangles and rectangles form the foundation of complex mechanisms. Through interactive demonstrations, including the intriguing Klann linkage—a mechanism that simulates walking motions—you’ll discover how these simple forms translate into dynamic movement.

What You’ll Experience:

• Interactive Explorations: Understand how rigidity and degrees of motion in shapes like triangles and rectangles influence movement.

• Mechanism Demonstrations: Witness the Klann linkage in action and learn how it replicates walking motions.

• Live Q&A Session: Engage directly with Rupin, ask your burning questions, and gain insights from his vast experience in mechanical design.

This masterclass offers a sneak peek into our upcoming “Motion Mania” course—a hands-on journey where you’ll design, simulate, and build your own moving machines using accessible materials and cutting-edge software. Whether you’re an aspiring engineer, a robotics enthusiast, or simply curious about the mechanics behind movement, this session is your gateway to understanding and creating the machines that move our world.