Designed by Theo Jansen, the Strandbeest come in many different evolutions. I use the word "evolutions" as that is what they are, they get better every time, perform more complex tasks each time the design evolves. Jansen has made elegant designs that are solely dependant on mechanics and nothing more, they harness the wind and convert it into the kinetic energy that is the motion of the legs. They are based on a mathematical principle derived by Jansen years ago which dictates the relationship between the legs. In laments terms the simplest design of the StrandBeest is a twelve legged machine that can walk forwards or backwards, the legs are in pairs that move together. It is much like the movement of a crab commonly found in rock pools at the beach. However Jansen has also made designs that hammer poles into the ground, bipedal designs and boxed in designs that almost have a skin.
For any budding engineer they are a true inspiration and are incredibly interesting machines, Jansen is trying to replicate human movement, and he does it incredibly well.
So the kit? Well it can be found on Ebay for extremely cheap prices, I bought mine for around £6.00 including shipping. However if you want the true original you will have to pay up to around £70.00 for one of the Japanese Magazines that originally released them. For most people buying one from ebay is enough, it sure was for me, but for the budding collector the magazine has many benefits. It has a Manga about Strandbeests, the full instructions and other projects that expand your strandbeest model further into motor power or other branches of design. It really depends on how serious you are.
For those interested here are a few things that will show you more about the StrandBeest and what they are capable of, I am sure you will be as captured by their charm as I was!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wind-Powered-Walking-Mini-Strandbeest-DIY-Assembly-Model-Robot-Toy-Puzzle-Gift-/151364323605?pt=UK_Toys_Creative_Educational_RL&hash=item233e044915
I shall update you with a time lapse of the build when mine arrives!