Building Motion: How Machines Walk, Glide, and Move

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…