Automaton Report: Mekanikos vs. The Minotaur

We never cease to be amazed and delighted by the artistry and craftsmanship of automata maker Dug North. The fundamentals of cam followers guide he published inspired this Crickit-based automaton project and guide. Dug’s more advanced creations are a wonder to behold — here is a favorite — Mekanikos vs. The Minotaur

From the artist:

My goal for this piece was to create more organic forms of motion. The minotaur figure has a ball-and-socket joint at his pelvis, which allows him to thrash about when the chains strapped to his wrists are pulled in sequence by a mechanism below.

Though it seems as if the strongman, Mekanikos, is tugging against the minotaur, in reality the monster is driving all of the strongman’s many subtle motions via a hidden linkage.

The scene inside the box reveals that this sideshow is hoax. The minotaur is a fake, driven by a hidden worker cranking away below the stage. Beside him, another worker assembles a backup minotaur.