Strandbeesten: Lifelike, wind-powered creatures

Have you heard of Strandbeesten? If you haven’t, then you’re in for a real treat. Developed by physicist Theo Jansen, Strandbeesten are moving sculptures made out of the yellow plastic tube (Dutch electricity pipe). They are able to walk and move on their own powered only by the wind. How do they work? Is it science? Technology? Or Engineering? It's actually a mix of all three. The sculptures use a system of triangles and connecting links. An axle’s rotation is converted into a stepping motion of six or more legs. They can also store air pressure to move when there’s no wind and anchor themselves to the ground during an approaching storm. Janson has great big plans for his moving skeletons. He is constantly remodeling or improving them. The future Strandbeesten will also be equippe ...