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Mechanical Design
Theo Jansen Walker
Eight-legged walking mechanism based on Theo Jansen's design with smooth locomotion.
The idea.
Inspired by Theo Jansen's Strandbeest, this project recreates the famous mechanical walking linkage as a motorised robot. The 8-legged walker converts rotary motion into a smooth, lifelike walking gait entirely through mechanical linkages — no software required for the walking motion itself.
The project explores the beauty of pure mechanical engineering and was used as an educational demonstration at university robotics events.
Inside the system.
- Pure mechanical Jansen linkage walking
- Single-motor drives all 8 legs in sync
- Parametric CAD model for customisation
- Educational demonstration platform
A closer look.