Let’s Bring Back The Age Of Automatons

Long before the concept of A.I., as we know it today existed, humans started building machines that seemed to move and even think by a will of their own. For decades we have been building automatons, self-operating machines, designed to resemble humans and animals. Causing the designer to break down human and animal movements, behaviors, and even speech (by way of bellows and air tubes) into predetermined sequential actions.

[Greg Zumwalt] created what he calls a hummingbird themed automaton inspired by his wife’s love of watching hummingbirds gather near their home. His 3D printed and assembled hummingbird automaton moves almost as fluid as its organic counterpart. The design is simple yet created from an impressive number of 97 printed parts printed from 38 unique designs which he includes in his Instructable. Other than meticulous assembly design, the fluid motion lends itself to a process of test fitting, trimming, and sanding all printed parts. Plus adding petroleum jelly as lubrication to the build’s moving parts. Along with the print files, [Greg Zumwalt] also gives you the print settings needed to recreate this precision build and a parts list accounting for all the multiple prints needed for each design.

[Greg] has been on a roll lately.  Check out his air-powered engine, or what may possibly be the simplest 3D-printed robot ever.

To keep putting your 3D printer to good use check out this 3D printed water droplet simulation automaton. If you want to learn more about the history of automata, head over to this post we wrote up about a well-known automaton called the “Draughtsman-Writer” created by Swiss mechanician and clockmaker, Henri Maillardet.

13 thoughts on “Let’s Bring Back The Age Of Automatons

  1. Not a lot “tickles me pink,” but this is really inspiring if it brings such a big lasting smile to me. Lucky wife!!! If you ever sell the “unfinished – unassembled” parts as a kit, please advise!!! The sight of the near fluid and so realistic portrayl of motionS(!) will haunt me like that nagging song you cannot forget. ;>) Like…
    Oh Sugar Sugar -????????????
    Oh honey Honey!!!
    +1 for artistic
    +1 for technique
    Propeller via rubber band driven option so it can sit in a tree or window?
    Absolutely great!

Leave a Reply to jacques1956Cancel reply

Please be kind and respectful to help make the comments section excellent. (Comment Policy)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.