Single-motor Walker For Santa-Pede Challenge Inspiration

This LEGO hexapod uses just one motor for motion. In the video after the break you can see that what [Valetnin Bauer] accomplished is almost magical, using just 210 parts. A central drive shaft uses worm gears to transfer motion to each of the legs. The limb mounting technique results in a sort of rowing motion that closely mimics what you’d expect to see from a biological hexapod.

We thought this might provide some inspiration for the Buy Break Build: Santa-pede challenge. Sure, using LEGO is a lot easier than reusing Santa parts. But a lot can be accomplished with a little creativity. Another point of inspiration might be this one-motor walker that should be a snap to adapt to the challenge. Better get going, just twenty days let until the project deadline!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeAY8XTzhWo]

[via Tinkernology]

11 thoughts on “Single-motor Walker For Santa-Pede Challenge Inspiration

  1. This is what i like to call an “elegant design”, well done!

    If you were to use a universal joint to separate the 3 leg pairs, you could put in a servo to bend the whole body. This would allow it to turn because the walking force vectors would no longer be in a straight line. This method would also keep the drive as one motor with a consistent drive offset.

    I made something like that 10 years ago with 4 legs, and a LOT more hot glue.

    http://www.ctrobots.org/pics/2000/jan00ke2.jpg

  2. I agree with fluidic.

    If it was done before by someone else it can’t possibly be magical or deserve to be revisited for any reason.

    Luddite.

    Being a douche predates civilization itself, so don’t bother doing it. -it’s been done.

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