I hope this ain't fake, because it is soooo awesome! These guys created an 8-legged, gas-powered spider mech "because they could!"
A: Three months to design ... six months to build. $15,000 budget and probably 3 times that in man hour....
Q: Why did you do this?
A: It was art ... we did it because we could.
Q: Does a history of mental illness run in your family?
Hit play or go to Link [YouTube] - Thanks wade7!
Update 12/13/07: It's called the Mondo Spider, created by Charlie Brinson, Dillard Brinson, Alex Mossman, Leigh Christie and Jonathan Tippett - Thanks Anonymous!
Jonathan Tippett here, the guy in the video.
If it helps settle the argument, I'm a medical device engineer and a kinetic sculptor with a sense of humor about facial hair. I mostly enjoy throwing people off who don't know me by donning "social camouflage" to play with poeple's assumptions. Redneck? You're call.
In response to some other comments:
1) It needs to slip to turn - rubber feet would not work.
2) It is not a war machine, it is a giant piece clockwork art.
3) There is more to come but we need support. If you like having amazing things to view and comment on, you should consider supporting the arts. Check out www.eatart.org, that's where the Spider lives.
Cheers,
Jonathan
either way, pretty freakin rad