Even if you don't feel like reading the whole article, do yourself a favor and skip down to the video of the final product at the very end. It's delightful and put a big smile on my face. The fact that all the modern technology is hidden inside leaving only the wooden structure visible makes it magical, like something from Harry Potter.
This reminds me of "The Luggage" from the Discworld (Rincewind) books by Terry Pratchett. I never expected to see a real-world version. Way cool!
No need for the classic HN "but why" question.<p>The video of the table obediently delivering a beer and bowl of snacks to the owner says it all.
This is beautiful; the motion of the legs reminds me of some giant scuttling insect. I'd love to have a coffee table like that. I wouldn't even want the motor, actually. It looks like you can just push it and have it walk smoothly, as if pushing a table with fixed-orientation wheels.
Some people are just so creative... It stole me a good laugh seeing the Carpentopod facilitating beer and chips to its master only to park politely (but not silently!) side to its less capable static fellow. I want to see more of these fantastic creations!
Reminds of strandbeest by Theo Jansen: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41347016">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41347016</a> (recently on HN)
I can't wait for someone to make a 3d-printable version of this. I would totally print out a 20cm tall version of this to use as a food serving platform on my dinner table!
Is there a place where one can buy pre-built leg parts or even pre-assembled legs? That seems like the most difficult part, then attaching them onto stuff I can do too.
What's wrong with just having a table that rolls? Why does it have to walk? Cool project though, but it sounds like a solution in search of a problem.