‘Rapid Kinetic’ is an educational toolkit for prototyping lightweight dynamic structures. It consists of custom 3d printed modular snap-fit joints, DIY pneumatic artificial muscles, and a custom pneumatic control and simulation system.

In addition to the kit itself, a platform of instructional videos allows makers to quickly build structures such as a bike frame, furniture, kinetic lights and a 3-axis robot arm. Through the creation of a collective community, makers can upload their designs with the kit and share their inventions and knowledge. Comprising of 5 key joint components, the modular design allows for a minimum amount of parts with multiple configurations. The manufacturing and low cost production challenge drives the off the shelf material selection of the aluminum rods. DIY pneumatic artificial muscles — a lightweight and efficient actuator that can lift loads 40 times its own weight — complete the kit.

To showcase the potentials of the kit, ‘Solar Ecologies’, a site-specific sculpture, explores the relationship between solar energy and the Hackney River lee canals. Inspired by the biological behavior of plants and flower petal movements and their ability to adapt to light in different lighting conditions, three structures harness solar power from the sun during the day, and at night act as beacons of light along the canal. The structure is entirely constructed using the Rapid Kinetic kit of parts, Rapid Kinetic pneumatic muscles, aluminum beams and lightweight minimal tensile surface.

More at rapid-kinetic.com.

Research Papers

Automated design using Genetic Algorithm

Solar Powered Robotics: Resource Constrained Interactivity

References

Baklitskaya, N. (2016), ‘Generative design: Optimization and creativity at their bests’ URL:https://www.accenture.com/us-en/blogs/blog-generative-design-optimization- creativity-best

Bentley, P. J. & Corne, D. W. (2002), – an introduction to creative evolutionary systems, in P. J. Bentley & D. W. Corne, eds, ‘Creative Evolutionary Systems’, The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Artificial Intelligence, Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco, pp1-URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781558606739500355

Buelow, P. V. (2002), Chapter 12 – using evolutionary algorithms to aid designer of architectural structures, in P. J. Bentley & D. W. Corne, eds, ‘Creative Evolutionary Systems’, The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Artificial Intelligence, Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco, pp. 315 — 336. URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781558606739500501

Dillmann, R., Albiez, J., Gaßmann, B., Kerscher, T., Zöllner, M. (2007) Biologically Inspired Walking Machines: Design, Control and Perception. Philosophical Transactions: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Vol. 365, No. 1850, Walking Machines, pp. 133-151. Royal Society

Frazer, J. (1995), ‘An evolutionary architecture’

Valenzeno, D.P., Pottier, R., Mathis, P., Douglas, R. (1990) Photobiological tecniques, Series A: Life Sciences, Vol. 216, pp 279-282, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, New York, USA