Thanks Brendan for the update. The first prototype attempt looks like the mechanism of a paddling boat. Seems to be staying afloat & bobbing up and down fine based on the video you uploaded... Were you looking for a more semi-submerged look? In that case yes adding more weight might help to achieve the effect. For the 2nd attempt, Are you trying to achieve the alternate swivelling leg motion of the crocodile with the multiple gears? Hope that turns out well... but meanwhile take care & rest well. Yes I was discussing with Minjee about the possibility of incorporating the thermochromatic fluid you managed to purchase in the final model as well so perhaps when in a sunny spot, the pecking mechanism of the plover bird is activated & in a cooler spot it stops, just like in their real life relationship.

Hi Cheryl, yes for both. The first one I was looking towards a crocodile bobbing up and down so it wasnt that far off, while the second one with the alternate motion, although I didnt integrate it with the first prototype. Yes, really excited on that, hopefully it will turn out well. Thanks!

Sounds like you might want to focus on the micro movements of the sea urchin mouth & also what function do the blue iridescent dots serve?  They might be an interesting element to include in your combined kinetic beast. Hope you’ve figured out if pumping fluids in tubes would help encapsulate the vesicular movement of the urchin’s legs?

What role do the bright colours of the clownfish play in its survival? I think the dancing pattern of the clownfish is a lot more elaborate than the movement demonstrated by your group’s sketch model shown on Friday. See if you are able to explore & reenact a wider range of clownfish movement in the combined kinetic beast model.

See if the combined kinetic beast model can eventually demonstrate more of the sea anemone’s rocking motion?

Some interesting research points here! I think the multi-tiered crab mouth might be something fascinating to look into also hair-like scent sensors could be a feature in your final combined kinetic beast.

Thanks Fran for the doggie doodles! You could actually home in on one of the doggie body language positions & explore that movement. Funny how in your caricature of the flea seems rather oversized compared to the dog, exactly like JJ’s flea model! Lol!

As mentioned during class, I think it would be fascinating if your combined kinetic beast can demonstrate seeing the world through a dog’s lenses or makes use of the flea’s thermo sensing capability.

Thorough & interesting research material here. Succint range of movement diagrams too... Try to incorporate more of this material into the combined kinetic beast model. As mentioned, the undulating & shifting sand movements of the “invisible predator-like starfish” encroaching upon the anemone could make an interesting overall storyline... the regurgitation of digestive fluids to drown out the prey before ingestion could be another interesting point to tweak...perhaps hyping up the sense of touch?

I think your very interactive cow digestive tract sketch model is an interesting angle to start with the kinetic beast exploration. Do avoid being too carried away with the gaming aspect of it though. We don’t really want to restrict ourselves to any specific function just yet. Focus on the kinetic mechanism first. Next challenge would be to combine it with Daphne’s bat kinetic explorations. Explore & see if the micro chewing/ grinding motion of the cow can lead you anywhere.

Do include some sketches demonstrating the range of motion of the pygmy mole rat as well as its skeletal structure or even zoom in on their teeth gnawing motion Jiaying. Thanks!