Poisoned Milk - a Classic Paul Spooner Automaton

Here's a great little video of an classic Paul Spooner piece called Poisoned Milk.

The means of animating the tongue is very clever and requires some lateral thinking. See if you can figure it out.

Visit Cabaret Mechanical Theatre and Fourteen Balls Toy Co. to see more Paul Spooner automata.

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German Musical Clown and Dog Act Automaton

Here is a German-made automaton currently available on eBay.

As you turn the hand-crank the music plays and the poodles climb over the top of the ladder. The clown moves his head back and forth and moves his arm back and forth with the wand. The seller says the piece features glass eyes, is from the 1880s, and is in good working order.

Here is the eBay listing with additional photographs of the Musical Clown and Dog Act Automaton

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Huge Automaton Clock Sculpture @ London Zoo

Master mechanical artist Tim Hunkin has created a giant automaton clock for the London Zoo. This amazingly complex kinetic sculpture is base on the theme of Victorian Era attitudes towards the animal kingdom.

The artist has a section of his site devoted to the London Zoo Tropical Aviary Clock. The pages show his photos and sketches (he's also known for his cartoons) of the automaton, rejected design ideas, technical aspects of the piece, and various other factors that influenced him along the way.

It is wealth of information, a fascinating look at one kinetic artist's creative process, and very entertaining. The video is a few minutes long, but only because the sequence of the automaton is so elaborate. Well worth it!

Here the page devoted to the London Zoo Tropical Aviary Clock. Here is the page about the design of the clock.

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A History of the Quest to Make Mechanical Life

Originally published in the United Kingdom as Living Dolls, this book will be fascinating to those interested in the history of automata. As suggested in the subtitle –– "A Magical History of the Quest for Mechanical Life" –– the author explores the motives of people who have made automata, androids, and robots through the ages.

This is a very well-researched account of humankind's ongoing efforts to simulate, emulate, and duplicate living things in mechanical form. A rich intellectual and cultural history, this book provides a context for understanding why automata have been created in the first place.

This book was included in my Kircher Society Essential Library of Automata list.

You can search inside many pages of Edison's Eve: A Magical History of the Quest for Mechanical Lifeon Amazon.com.

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Wind Up Bird That Flys by Flapping its Wings

I haven't seen one of these in years. I had one of these as a kid and forgotten about this toy. (Mine was mostly yellow.) This wind up bird really does fly by flapping it's wings. I'm not sure scientists have figured out how to do this, but a $10 toy can!Made in France, Tim is about 8 inches long and has a wingspan of 16 inches. Once you have snapped the wings in place, you wind up the rubber band drive, and toss it into the air. It flies up to fifty yards with a satisfying fluttering sound. It comes with a spare rubber band drive.

Here is the link to Tim Bird.

On a related note, this Ornithopter Kit looks really cool, but the reviews were mixed. Has anyone tried one? Drop me a note and let me know.

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Robot Lizard Kit - Electronics Meets Mechanics

Here is neat little lizard robot kit designed to teach the basics of robotics, electronics, and mechanics. Never mind all that learning stuff...it just looks cool.

The design combines a single motor, crank system, and a gear box to create a reptile-like walking motion. Sounds you make start and stop the robot's motion and cause its Light Emitting Diode (LED) eyes flash. The clear body allows you to see what's going on inside the little beast.

All components and parts are included to assemble a working lizard robot. Good, clean fun for about $20.

Order your own Lizard Robot Kit.

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Graceful Papercraft Kinetic Horse Sculpture

This extraordinary piece conveys three important concepts in automaton making.

First, just look at what can be done with paper as the primary material. This could either be a prototype for something later made in metal or wood, or this could be the finished product. Worried about longevity? I have seen a paper/cardboard automaton from the 18th Century that works just fine today.

Second, behold the power of well-considered linkages. The entire complex sequence of motions is driven from a single offset crank in the center of the horse. Very subtle movements, such as the head, are secondary motions. The interdependence of large and small motions gives the horse a very lifelike quality.

Third, while automata may be made of tangibles such as wood, paper, and metal, there is good reason to consider Computer Assisted Design (CAD) when creating them.

Check out some books on Mechanical Linkages, Paper Engineering, and Learning CAD.

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More Video of Boston Dynamics Big Dog Robot

I posted earlier this week about an impressive biomimetic insect robot. I've also posted in the past about Big Dog. Here is more video of this impressive four-legged robot.

The video is a bit long, but I encourage you to watch at least as far as when the robot slips on ice. You will immediately recognize its efforts to stay upright as pure biological motion.

I expect soldiers will have robotic mules based on this design running next to them in a few years time.

I must credit BoingBoing Gadgets for bring this to my attention.

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Biomimetic Insect Robot with Uncanny Movements

Biomimicry ("bios" - meaning life and "mimesis" - meaning to imitate) may be relatively new to robotics, but has a long tradition in automata. Still, I cannot recall seeing an automaton succeed in imitating biological motion to this degree.

This six-legged robot is uncanny in its motions. I find it both beautiful and spooky (as when I am startled by the first-sight of an insect).

This project, by creator Kare Halvorsen, is called "Phoenix". He has achieved an amazingly lifelike motion using hobby servos and an off-the-shelf servo controller. Here is a video clip of the Phoenix in action:


Let's all hope Kare continues to use his technical prowess for good and not evil.

Visit the Trossen forum to learn more about the Phoenix robot. This gem comes to us by way of the MAKE blog.

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Automaton in Wood by Aritst Paul Boyer

Take a look at the skill with which artist Paul Boyer handles a horse in motion in this great video clip of his automaton.

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Automata Mechanisms and Pegasus Automaton

Here is a nice video of several useful automata mechanisms including a crank and piston, a ratchet, and a Geneva mechanism.

The latter half of the video features a beautifully done Pegasus. The piece appears to be driven by the music box movement. I am told that this piece is part of a collection on display in Guma, Japan and is by artist Minoru Takahashi Akira Murakami. Look at all those gears! Well done.

To learn more about making mechanical toys and automata, check out Making Mechanical Toys.

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Horror & Halloween Animatronics

FrightCatalog.com has an entire section dedicated to animated horror and Halloween automata or animatronics. From the home page navigate to "Halloween Props" then "Animated".

They offer 75 items ranging from a simple spinning motor for animating your own Halloween props ($16.99) to a 12 foot animated flying saucer ($29,000.00). Fair warning: some of this stuff is pretty gory, but they are horror props after all.

Shown here is an AMAZING realistic alligator automaton. It may set you back $8,900.00, but I ask you: how much should the power to send someone into cardiac arrest cost?

From FrightCatalog.com
Completely realistic alligator lunges forward to snap at your guests. The high speed, 5 foot forward movement and opening mouth will startle the most brazen. Includes a powerful monitor amp, cassette player, and tape of fierce alligator sounds. Requires AC power and 100 psi air compressor. Industrial strength, and extremely durable.

Visit FrightCatalog.com to check out all of their horror themed animatronics.

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Heron and Fish Automaton Video

Another video of some clever work by the artist I know only by their YouTube username: kitundu.

This piece features an interesting approach to creating a wave effect in the pond. There are also some nice detailed views showing some very practical information -- such as how to keep a cam follower on a cam.

[Thanks Falk!]

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Hummingbird Automaton with Scalloped Cam

Here's an interesting use of a scalloped-edged cam to create a very fast reciprocating motion of a lever. The lever, in turn, pulls a string to cause the humming bird's wings to beat.

[Thanks Charles!]

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Engine-Powered Mechanical Horse

I was going to write a post about the giant mechanical puppets in France, which are totally amazing and mindblowing. However, in doing some research on the subject became totally and completely infatuated with something else. That something else is what you see in the photo above -- a motorized mechanical horse that can be ridden.

I have no idea if this thing really worked, if it could carry more than a fez-wearing boy, or even if this photograph is entirely genuine. (It has a somewhat painterly quality to it.) All I know for sure is: I want one of my own.

This is another gem from the Modern Mechanix blog from an article originally printed in 1933.

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Roullet et Decamps Leopard Automaton Video

Michael and Maria Start have been performing high-quality restorations of automata and singing birds for 12 years. I love the action of the this creeping leopard by Roullet et Decamps.

Michael Start is a trained Horologist, winning several awards for his practical and theoretical clockwork.

Maria Start is a trained sculptor and artist, specializing in perfect color matching and replacement body parts. Maria uses traditional techniques and materials, with authentic papier mache and gesso recipes.

Visit their site entitled AutomatomaniA.

You can learn a bit about the restoration of antique automata in the a chapter of the book Automata: The Golden Age.

Seen on the MAKE blog

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Counting Sheep - New Paper Automata Kit

The new paper animation kit from Flying Pig Animated paper kits is officially available.

The piece is called Counting Sheep. When the handle on the box is turned, the sheep jump, and a counter is incremented.

A classic ratchet-and-pawl mechanism to drives the counter. Not an easy mechanism to engineer in paper!

Flying Pig offers printed kits and downloads. Order the kits you like, download the file (PDF), print them on card stock, cut them out, and glue them together with white glue. Each kit comes with complete instructions.

Check out Counting Sheep and the other paper animation kits.

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Featured Artist: Michael Pflueger

Michael Pflueger is a Germany-based mechanical sculptor, maker of interesting metal art, and designer of useful household items.

This is a clever interactive piece in which the viewer/user is pecked at by the mechanical bird. It is amazing that a few mechanical parts can create such a lifelike motion.

Check out some of his other works at michael-pflueger.com. [Thanks Falk!]

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Reader Contribution: Dogs Washing a Cat

This week's Reader Contribution is once again from dedicated reader Tony.

Tony's sense of humor shines through in full force on this one.

The piece features three dogs watching a cat spin around in a washing machine. Their tails wag in joy. Very funny, indeed.

For more on making automata check out my hand-picked list of books that can be found at The Amazon Automata / Automaton aStore.

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Drinking Bear Automaton by Roullet et Decamps

The estimates valued this drinking bear automaton between $600 and $800 dollars. In ended up selling at auction for $2233!

It is a clever mechanism, indeed. The bear pours a drink with real liquid. When he raises his arm to drink, the liquid drains down a hidden tube and refills the decanter for his next drink.

Learn more about the makers, Roullet et Decamp, in Christian Bailly's book: Automata: The Golden Age 1848-1914.

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Automomous LittleDog Robot on Uneven Ground

Boston Dymanics has done it again. Check out this small dog-based robot traverse a complex terrain. Amazing!

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Automata Homage to Canada

Here is an automaton that celebrates Canada. Created by automata-maker Charles Mak, this automaton features several Canadian symbols, including a Beaver. As I am originally from Vermont and appreciate engineering of all sorts, I have a great fondness for the animal sometimes known as "nature's engineer".

Take a look at the automaton entitled: Proudly Canadian.

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Hand-Cranked Metal Fly Automaton

Check out this excellent metal fly automaton by
Seattle based artist Casey Curran. Very, very cool.

I learned of this video from a post over at Make Magazine's Blog.

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Chomping T-Rex Automaton Picks up Objects

This is The BEST paper automaton idea EVER.

Turn the handle and the Tyrannosaurus Rex reaches down and bites! The T.Rex snatches up any small object placed beneath his mighty paper jaws.

I only wish I thought of this idea!

Follow the illustrated instructions and -- with an evening or two of your time and some white glue -- you can have this little beast.

Check out this Chomping T-Rex Automaton.

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Fantastic Quadraped Robot Dog

You've got to check out this video of a dog-inspired robot. The video shows the robot covering all kinds of terrain. Most impressively, there are two spots in the clip where a person gives the robot a hard shove. I fully expected the thing to crash into the ground. But no! The robot instantly compensates and never falls.

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Animated Paper Elephant @ flying-pig.co.uk

The tireless Rob Ives has a new animated paper model for you...

From the site:
Download the model, print it out onto thin card on your own printer, carefully cut out the pieces, glue them together and, with a couple of hours of your time you'll have your own paper elephant. Rock the body back and forth and the elephant raises his trunk in a delightful way!


Here's the link to the Paper Elephant model page.

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Automaton: A Boybot & His Dogbot by Dug North

I have made some additions and put the finishing touches on an automaton I started a few years ago: A Boybot and His Dogbot.

Stylistically, this piece is different than my other automata in that I have used geometric shapes for the figures and have decided to leave the wood unfinished. I experimented with painting the figures, but they lost too much of their charm.

The piece is on public display at The Charles River Museum of Industry in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.

Here's a link to detailed pictures of the figures and the mechanism from A Boybot and His Dogbot.

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Featured Maker: Anatoly Zayaruzny

I have had the great pleasure of learning of another fine automata-maker here in the States. Anatoly Zayaruzny makes automata that look very much like antiques, but are a bit more modern mechanically.

Check out his site, where (unlike many of us) the artist is happy to show you the mechanisms that bring the automata to life.

One of my favorites is a upgraded version of the magician doing the cups and balls trick. Anatoly Zayaruzny's version incorporates a novel mechanism to allow tall items to appear.

The monkey lute player has a video that shows that the figure plays, then stands up, and bows!

Here's the link to the magician automaton by Anatoly Zayaruzny.

Here's the link to the magician's internal mechanics.

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Video of Life Size Elephant Automaton

I posted recently about a full-size walking elephant automaton. Here is some video of this amazing automaton in action.



Thanks to Tim Trager for the video

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Incredible Elephant Automaton / Automobile

In the years after WWII, English inventor Frank Stuart wanted to develop a way to boost the European economy as well as increase moral among the people of Europe. How would you accomplish this monumental task of socio-economic engineering?

His idea: A giant mechanical Robot Walking Elephant Car.

Powered by a four cylinder Chevy engine with hydraulics hidden inside an anatomically correct body cavity, the elephant is capable of speeds of up to 20 mph.

Stuart made three of Robot walking elephants in 1947. One is housed in a museum in Austria, one in a private museum in Chicago, and one was kept by the inventor, then by his family after his death. It is this last that is pictured here.

It will be coming up for public auction.

Certainly, this in one of the most remarkable automata ever created.

Check out the Elephant Automaton

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Another Logic Goat - The NOT Goat automaton

Rob Ives at flying-pig.co.uk has added to his offerings of Logic Goats that I posted about earlier. In addition to the AND and OR goats, he is now offering a NOT goat. In the case of the NOT goat, it only nods its head when you are NOT pushing the button on the front.

I really think there is the potential to build the world's first goat-based computer.

Here is the link on to the NOT Logic Goat automaton on the Flying Pig web site.

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Goat / Logic Gates in Paper Automata Form

Here's a really interesting combination of expertise: logic gates (the basis of all computing and therefore computers) and paper automata.

Rob Ives -- another of the masters of paper automata -- has created Logic Goats. The OR goat will nod if you press either the first button or the second. The AND goat will only nod if you press the first and the second buttons.

If we could get a NAND and NOR goats and string them all together in complex chains, we might be able to build a Goat-based computer!

Check out, buy and download the Logic Goat Automata at the Flying Pig web site.

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Faboulous Animals: Automata of Neil Hardy

Using wood, metal, paint, fleece and other materials, automata-maker Neil Hardy illustrates the epic side of Nature while making powerful philosophical statements few would ever attempt.

I'm willing to bet that you will love his humorous animal-themed automata available on his site.

Learn more about the artist Neil Hardy.

Visit his gallery of Fabulous Animal automata.

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