Side Project : LEGO Mechanical Walker

This page is about a different creativity project I came to realize through several iterations, without any specific objective at the start. It quickly became a satisfying evening hobby.

Quick flashback

First walking model for my kids, two years ago, in a "Steampunk" spirit. Already 6 legs seemed the most suitable configuration for good stability while maintaining a simple design. The leg mechanism itself was very basic as shown on the animation on the right.

Obviously, this model was not robust enough and for this reason the next built relied on LEGO Technic parts only. It was able able to spin around, not smoothly though... and climb over difficult obstacles. The leg mechanism is slightly improved resulting in more robust and oval shaped steps.

Another intermediate model relied on 8 legs and a turntable to allow for a more natural way of turning around.

As illustrated in the animations below, the walking mechanisms had to be slightly improved as well to implement higher legs without leading to leg shocks or an unecessary long vehicule. Another way was to reduce the length of the rotating arm, however it also leads to a reduction of the step height which would have reduced the capability of walking above obstacles.

At this stage, the design was leaning towards the Star Wars universe and, with it, came the inspiraton from one of its most iconic vehicule : the AT-AT walker and its striking impression of a gigantic, slow yet unstoppable walking vehicle. However, a few attempts to make the walker larger, hence heavier, and with longer legs, rapidly showed that the walk was becoming increasingly chunky... Adding shock absorber as shown in the video below was not satisfying either.