Taking a page from Theo Jansen's work [link], it should be possible to create autonomous kinetic sculptures using capillary action of water during the daytime.
At night the sculptures would remain dormant but as the sun creeps over the horizon tiny black tubes begin to wick water from the lower halves of an interlocking series of sealed see-saw reservoirs.
Once more than half the liquid enters the upper collection chamber the see-saw tips, plunging the upper reservoir downwards and into shade.
The process is now reversed, water begins to once again wick its way to the upper chamber and the whole contraption skitters slowly across the ground in caterpillar fashion.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 21 2011

Theo Jansen's wind walkers. http://www.google.c...wi&biw=1008&bih=535
[2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 21 2011]

Theo Jansen's wind walkers (the video) http://www.ted.com/..._new_creatures.html
[Klaatu, Oct 24 2011]

Donates a bun to Theo Jansen's work.
-- RayfordSteele, Oct 21 2011


[+++] Could it walk fast enough to keep up with the terminator (remaining always half in sun, half in shade)? On an asteroid, maybe? Pleeeze?
-- mouseposture, Oct 21 2011


nice vision +
-- xandram, Oct 24 2011



random, halfbakery