Mechanisms
to
Motion
WHAT WE ARE DOING
WHY WE ARE DOING IT
This activity involves exploring different forms of motion inspired by deep-sea creatures and replicating them using cardboard and other low-fidelity materials.
To gain insight into the biomechanics of marine life and how they can be translated into mechanical systems for deep-sea robots
ACTIVITY MATERIALS
Cardboard
Colored Acetate
Bristol Papers
Zip-ties
Straws
Metal Ruler
Pencil
Markers
Scissors
Safe Cardboard cutter
Masking Tape
Glue
String
Brads
Popsicles
1st
Go over "Prototyping 101" in the "Cardboard Prototyping" folder
Head to the toolbox, and go over the safety protocol and how to use the tools.
2nd
3rd
- coiling inspired by the tentacles of Octopi
- waving inspired by the tails of Sea Salp
- open/close inspired by the grabbing of Jellyfish tentacles
- expanding/fanning inspired by the wings of a Bat
- If you are interested in seeing more examples, go to the ToolBox and click on the Advanced Mechanisms folder.
Recreate a Cardboard Mechanism
Using the presentation as inspiration, choose 1-2 mechanisms that interest you
Recreate the mechanisms using lo-fi materials
4th
In which animal have you seen this mechanism being used?
other examples...
Expanding/ Fanning
How to make it
1
4
2
5
3
6
How to make it
Waving
How to make it
1
4
2
3
5
6
Oscillating
How to make it
1
4
2
3
Grabbing
How to make it
1
4
2
3
5
6
Coiling / Tentacle Motion
How to make it
1
4
2
3
Prompt
In this activity, you will understand different forms of motion and replicate them using cardboard and other materials.
Deliverables
Post in the Responses Tab
- A photo of the mechanism you chose to recreate
- A gif demonstrating the mechanism moving
- A 2-sentence description of how you envision incorporating this mechanism to your bot.
Materials
Computer, pencil/pen, paper, low-fidelity materials (card stock, cardboard, brads, paperclips, string, hot glue, tape, etc.)